Plastic-Free Personal Care Swaps: Your Complete Guide (2025)
Article Outline
- Introduction
- Complete List of Personal Care Swaps
- Plastic Free Deodorant Swaps
- Plastic-Free Shampoo and Conditioner Swaps
- Plastic-Free Skincare and Body Care Swaps
- Plastic Free Oral Care Swaps
- Plastic Free Shaving Swaps
Introduction
Every morning, I used to stand in front of the bathroom mirror surrounded by plastic: shampoo bottles, deodorant tubes, toothpaste, lotion pumps. It was so normal I barely noticed. Then one day, while reading about microplastics showing up in human blood, I realized my self-care routine was also part of the problem.
That moment kicked off a quiet experiment. I started swapping out one product at a time for plastic-free alternatives. A few years later, my bathroom looks and feels a lot lighter. The best part is that these swaps actually work, and they’ve saved me money in the long run.
If you’ve ever wondered how to go plastic-free without giving up your favorite routines, here’s a complete guide to the best plastic-free personal care products of 2025. These are the swaps I’ve tested, researched, and genuinely recommend.
Why Plastic-Free Personal Care Matters
Most personal care products are packaged in mixed plastics that can’t be recycled. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the beauty industry produces more than 120 billion units of plastic packaging every year, and almost all of it ends up as waste.
Beyond packaging, microplastics are often added to exfoliants, toothpastes, and cleansers. These tiny particles wash down the drain and into waterways. Once there, they absorb toxins, are eaten by fish, and eventually make their way back to us. Studies have found microplastics in human blood and even in lung tissue (NIH, 2022).
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. Every swap we make reduces demand for unnecessary plastic, and those choices create ripple effects far beyond our bathrooms.
Related reading: What Microplastics Are Doing to the Brain, Body, and Reproductive Systems
How I Choose Plastic-Free Personal Care Products
Not every “eco-friendly” product is truly plastic-free. When deciding what to include here, I looked for:
- Zero or minimal plastic packaging that is compostable, refillable, or fully recyclable.
- Sustainable ingredients that are biodegradable, palm-free when possible, and cruelty-free.
- Performance that matches or exceeds the conventional version.
- Transparency about sourcing, shipping, and end-of-life disposal.
I also favor brands that take responsibility for what they make through refill or take-back programs.
Plastic Free Personal Care Swaps
|
Category |
Swap |
Material |
|---|---|---|
|
Deodorant |
Paper | |
|
Deodorant |
Metal (refillable) | |
|
Shampoo |
Bar | |
|
Conditioner |
Bar | |
|
Lotion |
Metal | |
|
Face Wash |
Bar | |
|
Face Exfoliator |
Bar | |
|
Toothpaste |
Metal | |
|
Toothbrush |
Bamboo | |
|
Dental Floss |
Hybrid | |
|
Shaving Razor |
Metal | |
|
Butterfly Razor |
Metal | |
|
Shaving Cream |
Bar |
1. Plastic-Free Deodorant Swaps
Traditional deodorants use complex tubes and twist mechanisms that are almost impossible to recycle. Thankfully, there are excellent plastic-free options now.
I’m going to recommend two products here that will make it easy for you to switch:
- Plastic Free Deodorant: Native Plastic-Free Deodorant
- Refillable Deodorant: Wild Refillable Deodorant
Native Plastic Free Deodorant
Native Plastic-Free Deodorant comes in a sturdy paper tube, is reliable, and widely available. If we estimate each person to go through one stick of deodorant every month, then in the United States alone we’d go through billions of sticks of deodorant every year.
Wild Refillable Deodorant
Wild Refillable Deodorant is a mostly aluminum case with small amounts of recycled plastic in it. This is a great option to for those looking for zero waste deodorant, as the deodorant case is refillable and their refills are shipped in paper. Refillable systems like Wild’s make long-term sense with less waste and less clutter.
Explore more swaps in our Plastic-Free Products Directory.
2. Plastic-Free Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Liquid haircare is one of the biggest sources of bathroom plastic. A single shampoo and conditioner bar can replace two or three bottles. Early shampoo bars had a reputation for leaving residue, but newer versions perform just as well as salon brands.
My favorite brand is Earthling Co. and I’m going to recommend two of their products.
Top Swaps
- Shampoo: The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar
- Conditioner: The Earthling Co. Conditioner Bar
The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar
The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar is gentle, long-lasting, and great for travel. It comes in paper packaging and is a great product to reduce your plastic consumption.
The Earthling Co. Conditioner Bar
The Earthling Co. Conditioner Bar is the 2nd half of your haircare swap. Just like the shampoo bar, their conditioner bar helped me replace a consistent flow of plastic and reduce my plastic footprint.
Let your bar dry between uses. A soap dish or mesh bag helps it last longer.
Related reading:
3. Plastic-Free Skincare and Body Care
Lotions, cleansers, and moisturizers often come in mixed-plastic pumps that can’t be recycled. These swaps trade single-use packaging for refillable or solid options.
Top swaps:
- Lotion: Plaine Products Refillable Lotion
- Face Cleanser: ATTITUDE’s Face Cleanser Stick
- Face Exfoliator: Ethique Face Exfoliator
Plaine Products Refillable Body Lotion
Plaine Products Refillable Lotion is an amazing option to both reduce plastic waste and reduce your overall carbon footprint. Their bottles are aluminum and refillable, and while there is a plastic pump, it’s the only plastic item in their product ecosystem.
ATTITUDE Oceanly Face Cleanser Stick
ATTITUDE’s Face Cleanser Stick is made from FSC Certified Cardboard, not plastic. My wife uses this product and it’s a great compliment for your skincare routine to ditch plastic.
Ethique Solid Face Exfoliator
Ethique’s Face Exfoliator – A great gentle face exfoliator that’s both free of microplastics and free of plastic packaging. This one bar replaces approximately four plastic bottles and will leave your face super soft and smooth .
Further reading: The 450-Year Bottle: Uncovering the True Cost of Our Most Convenient Waste
4. Plastic-Free Oral Care
Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers are almost always plastic. Multiply that by billions of people brushing twice a day, and it adds up fast. Below is a full swap list for your oral care routing
Top swaps:
- Toothpaste: Huppy Toothpaste Tablets
- Toothbrush: Brush with Bamboo Toothbrush
- Dental Floss: EcoRoots Corn-Based Floss
Huppy Toothpaste Tablets
Huppy Toothpaste Tablets, really all toothpaste tablets, take a second to get used to, but once you do you’ll never want to use tubed paste again. This is an amazing plastic free swap and is very easy to travel with.
Brush with Bamboo Toothbrush
There are a lot of bamboo tooth brushes in the market, but I like Brush with Bamboo. If you’re looking for an electric toothbrush that’s plastic free, you’re unfortunately out of luck for now. That being said, there are a lot of bamboo electric toothbrush head options to help reduce plastic waste.
EcoRoots Dental Floss
I covered plastic free dental floss in another post, but I like the EcoRoots brand. It’s entirely plastic free and easy to take with you. There are a few good brands you can choose from here.
Related reads:
- The Best Plastic-Free Dental Floss Ranked
- The Best Whole-House Water Filtration Systems to Remove Microplastics
5. Plastic-Free Shaving and Hair Removal
Disposable razors are made from multiple fused materials that can’t be recycled. A stainless-steel safety razor lasts for decades and gives a cleaner shave once you get used to it.
Top swaps:
- Shaving Razor: Leaf Shave Razor
- Butterfly Razor: Henson Double Edged Safety Razor
- Shaving Cream: Badger Shaving Soap Bar
Leaf Shave Razor
The Leaf Razor is a bit on the higher end side, but I love it. This has turned into my go-to daily razor. It’s all metal and will last you a lifetime.
Henson Shaving Razor
The Henson Shaving Razor is a wonderful option if you prefer a single blade. I liked it when I was using it but found I preferred the angled design of the Leaf better.
Badger Shaving Soap Bar
This is a wonderful zero waste option to ditch the metal, pressurized shaving cream tins and the plastic shaving cream gels.
The Badger Shaving Soap Bar is my go to plastic free shaving cream.
Switching felt intimidating at first, but after a few weeks I realized how much money I was saving. One pack of blades can last an entire year.
See how small swaps add up in The Ultimate Plastic-Free Cleaning Guide.
Tips for Making the Switch Sustainably
- Finish what you have. The goal isn’t to purge but to transition thoughtfully.
- Swap one item at a time. That’s how habits actually stick.
- Dry and store bars properly so they last longer.
- Refill instead of rebuying. Support circular systems whenever you can.
- Buy local when possible. Refill shops and co-ops often carry these same products without shipping waste.
A good way to begin is to choose the item you replace most often, usually shampoo or deodorant, and start there.
FAQ
Are plastic-free personal care products more expensive?
Some cost a bit more upfront, but most last longer. A shampoo bar can replace two bottles, and safety razors save money within months.
Do solid bars work as well as liquids?
Yes. Formulas have improved dramatically. The key is finding the right bar for your hair or skin type.
What’s the easiest swap to start with?
Deodorant or toothpaste tablets are simple and effective places to begin.
Conclusion: Small Swaps, Real Impact
Going plastic-free isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, one product and one choice at a time. When I look around my bathroom now, the shelves are calmer, the air feels cleaner, and there’s real satisfaction in knowing I’m part of something bigger.
If you’re ready to take that first step, choose one swap from this list and see how it feels. Then come back for another.
You can explore even more ideas in our Plastic-Free Products Directory and start building a personal care routine that’s good for you and the planet.
(Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or trust.)
