Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Face Masks

Whether you’re a key-worker commuting, or you’re going to the supermarket for your weekly shop, here are our favourite eco-friendly, sustainable and comfy face masks to cover up with.

Why choose a reusable face mask?

Face masks have become essential in order to enter shops and take public transport, not only here in the UK, but in many countries across the world. Reusable face masks are better than single-use masks because it will not only significantly reduce landfill waste but also leave supplies accessible to healthcare professionals and other key workers who work requires them to use disposable masks.   

Though it's important to note that you'll need to regularly wash your reusable face mask because this will not only help stop the spread of diseases but also help prevent what’s commonly being referred to as ‘maskne’. Have a read of this post from Superdrug on how to avoid it.  

Just think, if we were to all be wearing disposable masks all the time, there would a whole lot of people binning a whole lot of face masks every day.

How many reusable face masks do I need? 

Anything from two to six should be plenty depending on how often you’re able to wash them and how much you’re wearing them. Think about washing your face mask as soon as it’s dirty, or at least wearing a fresh one on each day. 

It’s okay to add your mask to your regular washing, but if you’d prefer to hand wash them then wash your mask with tap water and laundry detergent or soap, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water to make sure all of the detergent or soap has gone. For those with sensitive skin, avoid high-perfumed detergents.  

It’s recommended to store wet or dirty face masks in a sealed plastic bag until  you’re able to wash it

Our favourite sustainable and eco-friendly face masks

Cariki

Photo credits: Cariki

These sustainable face masks are made from 100% organic cotton and created from a natural material that is healthier for you and cleaner for the environment.

The Simple Folk

Photo credits: The Simple Folk

Every time someone buys a mask from The Simple Folk, they will donate another one to women and children in need. They’re sustainably crafted from organic cotton and come in natural, earthy tones.  

Zola Amour 

Photo credits: Zola Amour

These organic cotton face coverings are gentle on your skin and kind to the environment. They’re chemical and elastic-free with fully adjustable ties, meaning that in this case, one size does fit all.

Turtle Bags

Photo credits: Turtle Bags

If you’re looking for colour and prints with your sustainable face masks, then these bold geometric coverings might be the ones for you. They come with a cotton wash bag and they’re certified by BAFTS (The British Association of Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers).

Maask

Photo credits: Maask

These sustainable face masks are ethically in Europe from recycled ocean plastic fabric. The mask has an internal pocket which fits a PM 2.5 protection filter, and it comes with 5 filters which they recommend changing at least monthly. 

Birdsong Living Wage 

Photo credits: Birdsong. Living Wage

These eco-friendly face masks are made using end-of-roll and reclaimed cotton and are made ethically and locally by seamstresses in East London. Our favourites are embroidered with the word ‘optimist’ in rainbow colours.

If you have any more ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly face masks recommendations, be sure to let us know in the comments below.