6 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Scalp Routine

With around one million plastic bottles purchased every minute globally¹, switching to refillable shampoo and conditioner is a small – but powerful – way to make a real difference.

But sustainable choices don’t have to mean compromising on care. Your scalp is the foundation for thriving, vibrant hair – and with an eco-friendly shampoo, you can cleanse, moisturise, and protect without the waste of single-use plastics.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to use refillable shampoo effectively in your daily routine – helping you care for your scalp and hair, while protecting the planet.

¹https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/how-many-plastic-bottles-are-purchased-every-minute-on-earth

Our refillable shampoo range helps you keep a consistent scalp care routine while staying sustainable. Combine this with a few everyday changes – and the impact adds up.

Read on to explore each tip – and find out how they can support scalp care while lowering your environmental footprint.

1: Choose refillable shampoo and conditioner

Plastic production has more than doubled in the last 20 years¹, with single-use bottles being a major source of landfill and ocean pollution. That makes switching to refillable shampoo and conditioner a simple way to reduce your own carbon footprint, and it’s as easy as:

• Rinsing out your bottles instead of throwing them away.
• Refilling them with your chosen products like our ‘Energy+ Stimulating’ Shampoo Refill (500 ml) – formulated to strengthen hair, reduce frizz, and hydrate your scalp.
• Reordering refills in bulk to cut down on extra trips and packaging.

2: Extend time between washes

By spacing out your hair washes to – one to two – times a week, you’ll also save water and cut down on product use – making your hair and scalp care routine more sustainable.

Over-washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and oily scalp. By gradually spacing out washes, you give your scalp time to adjust – helping maintain a balanced scalp microbiome and regulate oil production. Start by:

• Setting regular “wash days” – this helps build a consistent routine.
• Applying conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends – this prevents buildup on the scalp.
• Using our Anti-Dandruff DS Shampoo Eco Refill (500 ml), particularly if you experience dryness or itching sensations on the scalp – it helps calm irritation, reduces the urge to touch your hair, and keeps your scalp soothed and hydrated during those longer periods between washes.

3: Use lukewarm or cold water where possible

Using cold or lukewarm water also lowers household energy use – which means fewer carbon emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.

Hot water can strip the scalp and hair of natural oils – leaving strands dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Switching to cooler water helps lock in moisture, reduce frizz, and even boost colour preservation and shine. Try it by:

• Lowering the temperature when shampooing and rinsing.
• Starting with lukewarm water and finish with a cold rinse to ease into the habit.
• Running your hair under cold water for at least 30 seconds to maximise results.

4: Be mindful of product usage

Being mindful with usage not only extends the life of your eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner – it also ensures your hair gets the right balance of care.

You probably need less product than you think. Over-applying shampoo or conditioner can leave residue, weigh hair down, and waste product. Start by:

• Using a twenty-cent-coin sized amount of product and only building up if needed.
• Supporting your products with a hair serum that nourishes and strengthens.
• Applying conditioner only from mid-length (around your ears) to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp to prevent buildup.

5: Recycle other product bottles correctly

Environmentally friendly shampoos only make a difference if you recycle their packaging correctly. Correct recycling keeps plastic out of landfill, conserves resources, and supports recycling systems. Simply:

• Rinse bottles and pumps thoroughly before recycling.
• Separate caps from bottles if required and check local recycling guidelines.
• Flattening bottles to save space and make recycling more efficient.

6: Use up the hair and scalp products you already have

Overconsumption often leads to waste, clutter, and excess packaging ending up in landfill.

By committing to finishing the products you already own, you reduce your environmental impact, while making your routine more cost-effective and intentional. It’s a simple habit that helps you buy less, waste less, and appreciate more of what you already have. You can: 

• Repurpose products you don’t love – try turning them into hand soap or body scrubs.
• Store products in visible, accessible spots – keeping them in sight encourages you to use them fully before buying new items.
• Offer unused products to friends or family – sharing keeps them from going to waste.

Now you’ve mastered your eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner routine, read more on what causes scalp sensitivity – or brush up on how to manage your hair concerns in the summer months with our summer scalp and hair care guide.