My Favorite Books & Blogs for Zero Waste Living & DIY Skincare
I am constantly inspired by the idea of reducing waste and creating a more sustainable world. As I continue to develop and improve my skincare products, I look to a variety of resources for guidance and motivation. It’s how I started in fact. My own skincare formulations are the result of testing recipes from books and blogs. I evolved them to be my own, substituting certain ingredients to align with my vision and perfecting my skincare recipes over years.
Now I’d like to share some of the resources I rely on for inspiration so that this community can learn from them as well. I know first hand how overwhelming it can be to pivot to a zero waste or sustainable lifestyle. I recall asking myself many times: Where do I even begin? All the research I did is now something I’d like to share with you. I certainly have always appreciated when others have shared their knowledge with me in the past, and I’m happy to pay it forward.
These resources have not only taught me how to make my own skincare products and live more consciously overall, but they have also helped me to develop a greater understanding of the impact that our choices have on the planet. In this blog post, I share some of my favorite books and blogs on zero waste and DIY skincare, and explain how they have influenced the mission of Tap Tap Organics.
My Top 3 Zero Waste Books
#3 "Turning Wasted Food into Plenty" by Dana Gunders:
I received this book as a birthday gift from a close friend who knows I’m passionate about zero waste. This book offers practical tips and recipes for reducing food waste in your home, including how to shop smarter, store food properly, and use up leftovers. Gunders' approach is both informative and fun, with illustrations and creative zero waste recipes. I particularly love the carrot top pesto recipe in this book!
#2 "Zero Waste Chef" by Anne-Marie Bonneau:
After years of following Anne-Marie on social media and hearing about her in SF Bay Area zero waste circles, I was thrilled when she released her zero waste cookbook. It’s a comprehensive guide to reducing waste in the kitchen and she emphasizes the importance of using what you have and getting creative with ingredients. She also offers tips for bulk shopping, composting, and preserving food. My current favorite recipes from her book are the Chocolate Bread Budding and the Sourdough Brownies, for obvious reasons.
#1 "Zero Waste Home" by Bea Johnson:
Bea’s book is a personal favorite. Her blog, also titled Zero Waste Home, was my first introduction to the zero waste lifestyle. A manifesto for living a zero waste lifestyle, she highlights the importance of simplicity, minimalism, and mindful consumption, and offers practical advice for making sustainable choices that are good for both you and the planet by following the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot.
I purchased her book as soon as it was published. It includes tips for reducing waste in every area of your life, from shopping and cooking to cleaning, traveling and…skincare of course. In fact, I started experimenting with homemade skincare with her recipes and the rest is history.
My Top 5 Favorite Skincare DIY Books
#5 “The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood and I have to say, it's a fantastic resource for anyone interested in essential oils and their uses. Worwood provides an in-depth look at the history, science, and benefits of essential oils, and offers practical guidance on how to use them safely and effectively for various purposes such as skincare, emotional health, and natural cleaning.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it includes specific recipes for blends and remedies that you can make at home, as well as guidance on choosing the right oils for your needs. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to incorporate essential oils into their daily routine in a safe and effective way.
#4“Plant-Powered Beauty” by Amy Galper and Christina Daigneault
The book explores the benefits of using plant-based ingredients in skincare and beauty products, and offers tips on how to create your own natural beauty products at home. It covers everything from understanding the different properties of essential oils and carrier oils, to creating DIY face masks and body scrubs.
The authors discussed the impact of synthetic ingredients on our health and the environment, and the importance of making conscious choices when it comes to the beauty products we use. Overall, I think this book is a must-read for anyone interested in natural beauty and wellness.
#3 “Natural Beauty Skin Care” by Deborah Burnes
It's a fantastic guide that teaches you how to take care of your skin using natural ingredients. The book covers everything from understanding your skin type to creating your own skincare routine using natural and organic ingredients like essential oils, herbal extracts, and plant-based ingredients.
Burnes explains how to make your own skincare products, including cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, as well as providing tips on how to read product labels and avoid harmful chemicals. The book is a great resource for anyone looking to achieve healthy and radiant skin using natural and sustainable practices.
#2 “Skin Cleanse” by Adina Grigore
The author takes a very holistic approach to skincare, and emphasizes the importance of understanding our individual skin types and using natural ingredients that work best for us. She advocates for simplifying our skincare routines and getting rid of products that contain harmful chemicals. Instead, she provides recipes for DIY skincare products using ingredients that can be found in our kitchens.
The book also touches on the emotional and psychological aspects of skincare, and how taking care of our skin can be a form of self-care. Overall, it's a great read for anyone looking to take a more natural and mindful approach to their skincare routine.
#1 “100 Organic Skincare Recipes” by Jessica Ress
The book is packed with 100 easy-to-follow recipes for making your own organic skincare products at home. You can make everything from face masks to body scrubs to lip balms, and all of the recipes are made with natural, non-toxic ingredients.
What I love about this book is that it's not just a collection of recipes, but it also teaches you about the benefits of each ingredient and how to customize the recipes to suit your skin type. It's perfect for anyone who wants to take a more natural approach to their skincare routine and save some money in the process.
My 4 Favorite Zero Waste/Slow Living Bloggers & Vloggers:
#4 Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren and her blog, Trash is For Tossers was a refreshing and young approach to the zero waste lifestyle. I credit her for introducing the concept to younger generations. She’s grown her following quickly and also went on to found Package Free Shop in New York.
#3 Zero Waste Home Blog
In my opinion, this blog is the OG. It was my first introduction to living with zero waste. Bea wrote detailed posts explaining her zero waste tips and routines. I definitely appreciated how committed she was to being zero waste in every aspect of her life. This blog then led to her wonderful book by the same title.
#2 Reading My Tea Leaves
Erin’s blog is not explicitly zero waste, rather it reflects a slow living approach and an appreciation for living minimally. She consistently posts on her blog and on her social media account. She’s also so crafty and artful. I always look forward to her posts.
#1 Vlogger Eugenia Diaz
And last but not least, Eugenia Diaz’s Youtube channel is one of my favorites at the moment. Her vlogs are beautifully filmed and edited, with a cinematographic quality that always leaves me inspired. Eugenia and her husband live off the grid in Portugal and her vlogs are a glimpse into a life of gardening, craftsmanship and simplicity.
What are some of your favorite zero waste and simple living books, blogs or vlogs? I’d love to hear and discover new ones!
(Cover photo credit: Eugenia Diaz)