When we talk about clean skincare, ingredients usually get the spotlight. But what about the packaging those products come in?
If you’re switching to non-toxic products to protect your body, it only makes sense to consider how those products impact the planet too. At Butter & Lye, we believe what’s around the product should matter just as much as what’s in it. Here's why sustainable packaging is a key part of any clean skincare routine.
The Problem with Traditional Packaging
Most mainstream skincare products are packaged in plastic that’s difficult, if not impossible, to recycle. Colored plastics, shrink wrap, and multilayer tubes often end up in landfills or the ocean, even when you toss them in the blue bin. According to the EPA, packaging accounts for nearly 30% of total household waste in the United States, and the beauty industry is a big contributor.
Beyond plastic waste, producing and transporting conventional packaging uses large amounts of energy and resources. These choices add to your carbon footprint without doing anything to improve your skin.
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What Eco-Friendly Packaging Really Means
Eco-friendly packaging is more than just recyclable. It should minimize environmental impact from start to finish. That includes:
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Materials that break down naturally, like paperboard, glass, or aluminum.
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Minimalist design that reduces excess packaging and waste.
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Non-toxic inks and adhesives that don’t pollute during decomposition or recycling.
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Reusability and refill-ability, which help eliminate single-use packaging entirely.
It’s about creating a full-circle approach to sustainability. Your skincare shouldn’t harm the environment before or after it helps your skin.
How Butter & Lye Keeps Packaging Clean, Too
We’re proud to say that all Butter & Lye products are packaged with intention. Our bar soaps come in recyclable paperboard sleeves, free of plastic wrap, synthetic dyes, or lamination. And our accessories come packaged in cardboard or organic cotton pouches. For future product lines, we’re exploring options like refillable glass and aluminum to keep the need for plastic at a minimum.
We also keep packaging minimal to reduce waste, using just what’s needed to protect the product and communicate what matters. And for every bar sold, we give one to someone in need, which means your purchase supports both people and the planet.
It's Not Just What's Inside That Counts
Clean skincare should care for more than just your skin. It should reflect values that extend beyond the label and into the world we live in. Thoughtful, low-waste packaging is one way we make sure our impact is as gentle on the planet as it is on your skin.
If you're trying to live a lower-tox lifestyle, remember that the bottle, jar, or box your skincare comes in matters too. Because the truth is, skincare doesn’t stop at the bar, it’s about every part of the process.