Notes

Hit the bar

Just nine percent of all plastic gets recycled, which means that nearly all of the jars and bottles that clutter our countertops will eventually end up in the landfill. The good news? A new crop of minimally packaged skincare products are making it easier to embrace sustainability

No sheet

Love presoaked face and eye masks but hate the waste? Here’s an eco-friendlier alternative

This set of reusable masks by Toronto-based skincare brand Province Apothecary is meant to be used with your favourite creams and serums, which is not only cheaper in the long run but also keeps single-use sheet masks and patches (which come packaged in plastic and often contain non-compostable synthetic materials) from ending up in the trash. Made from silicone, they seal in active ingredients close to the skin to maximize absorption. Apply a small amount of product to the area you ’ re treating, pop on the sheet mask or eye patches (or both at once—you deserve it!) and chill out for up to 30 minutes. After use, wash with a gentle soap, let them air-dry and store in their pouch until next time. Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask Set for Face and Eyes, $36, provinceapothecary.com.

FIRST, THE OLD-FASHIONED BAR OF SOAP—which fell out of favour in the ’80s—got a glow up with lush scents and gentle, skin-loving ingredients. Then, sudsy shampoo pucks started popping up everywhere, most recently in drugstore aisles. And now, it’s skincare’s turn. Loaded with the same ingredients as your go-to products, solid skincare bars are activated with body heat and friction to melt into the skin, providing the same satisfying experience as creams and lotions. The formulas are highly concentrated and sold “naked” or in compostable packaging, use up less water during production, take up less space during transport and—in most cases—do away with plastic waste completely. And they go a long way, too: A single bar lasts, on average, three to four months with daily use.

SERUM

Formulated with moistureboosting squalane and jojoba oil, soothing licorice extract and brightening vitamin C, this pint-sized bar of solid serum feels like water but packs a serious hydration punch. Dew Mighty Bloom Jelly Serum Bar, $59 each, dewmighty.com.

CLEANSER

This packaging-free cleansing balm contains cocoa butter, jojoba oil and illipe butter to melt off makeup and wash away excess oil without stripping the skin. Lush Sleepy Face Naked Cleansing Balm, $14, lush.ca.

Beauty talk

READERS SHARE THEIR FEEDBACK ON OUR FAVOURITE NEW(-ISH) PRODUCTS

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream, $52, or $44 for the refill, sephora.com.

“Though I haven ’t noticed the promised plumpness, this cream does what it is supposed to do and keeps my skin hydrated.

The texture is thick, but it goes on easily and forms a protective layer that’ s great for cold days. ” — Rina, 43, Toronto

MOISTURIZER

A great pick for dry and sensitive skin types, this moisturizing stick contains hyaluronic acid, kokum butter and babassu oil. Swipe on directly from the paper tube for a mess-free application. Ethique The Perfector Solid Face Cream, $41, ethique.com.

SUNSCREEN

Available unscented or in two delicious fragrances—tropical and orange blossom—Attitude ’ s reef-friendly SPF 30 sunscreen stick is packaged in a biodegradable push-up paper tube. Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick, $20 each, attitudeliving.com. MOB Beauty Refillable Volumizing

Mascara, $38, or $32 for the refill, mobbeauty.com. “This mascara stays in place all day—no flakes or smudges. I have short lashes, and I’ m pleased with the volume and length it adds. I’ m fussy about brush size, but this one isn ’t too small or too big, which makes application easy. ” — Fallon, 36, Halifax

GREEN(ER) WASHING

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed tiny plastic fibres with every wash, which pollute waterways and harm wildlife and microorganisms, and eventually make their way into the food chain. The Guppyfriend is a wash bag designed to catch those pesky microplastic fibres so they can be collected and thrown out, keeping them out of the ocean. Proven to reduce microfibre shedding by 54 percent, it’ s an easy swap: Just fill up two-thirds of the bag with synthetic-blend clothing, and use more than one bag per load if necessary. Guppyfriend Washing Bag, $44, guppyfriend.us. Everist Waterless Body Wash

Concentrate, $28, helloeverist.com. “I love the fresh fragrance and how nicely this sudses up when in contact with water. The recommended one-inch strip is plenty!

My skin feels nice and hydrated, and the eco-friendly packaging is a bonus. ” — Meenu, 49, Calgary