Multitasking Beauty Products That Reduce Waste

These multitasking clean beauty products will not only save energy and packaging, but money, too!

By Lora O’Brien

Hands up if your bathroom shelves are overflowing with copious amounts of beauty products? The Old Me used to, too. But the New Me is all about that low-effort beauty, and the fewer products I own, the happier I feel. But how did I reduce the numbers of bottles and jars on my shelves, you may ask? Well, the short answer is: multitasking beauty products!

I review a lot of beauty articles in Eluxe. I first discovered what zero waste beauty products are out there. Which is great. And then I realised that another way to reduce waste in our beauty routines is by finding products that have multiple functions.

It’s pretty cool that a soap can also wash my hair. Or a lip balm can heal cracked heels. And a lip stain can also be used as a blusher. Right?

These multitasking beauty products work to get the job done quickly when it comes to skin care, makeup and hair care, but they’re also much better for the planet, too.

Think about it: the less stuff you buy means less stuff going to landfill and less money spent. It’s a win-win – and you still get to look and feel your best at the same time!

As I made the switch to multitasking beauty products, I found that fewer products make me happier—and my bathroom much tidier.

Multitasking beauty products include skincare, makeup, or haircare products designed to serve more than one purpose.

Why Choose Multitasking Beauty Products?

In short, here’s why incorporating multitasking beauty products into your daily routine is a smart choice:

Save Time and Effort
When you’re busy, who has time for a ten-step beauty routine? With multifunctional beauty products, you can streamline your daily regimen. Products that tackle multiple steps at once let you cut down your application time significantly—ideal for those on the go!
Less Clutter, More Space
The beauty industry produces endless products, and many of us end up with more than we need. Opting for multitasking products can help you reduce clutter on your bathroom shelf and free up space, all while maintaining the same great results.
Eco-Friendly and Zero Waste
The beauty industry is often criticised for contributing to waste, but multitasking beauty products help reduce the number of single-use items in your routine. Fewer products mean less packaging and less waste going to landfill, which aligns perfectly with a zero waste beauty philosophy.
Cost-Effective
Less really is more! Multitasking beauty products save you money since you’re essentially buying one product that performs the job of two or more. Over time, these products can be a more affordable option, and who doesn’t love saving a little money?

Examples of Multitasking Beauty Products

Let’s dive into some multitasking beauty must-haves that will change the way you approach your beauty routine:

All-in-One Shampoo and Body Wash
Some shampoos can double as body washes, giving you the chance to simplify your shower routine. Look for 2-in-1 beauty products designed for both hair and skin to cut down on waste and time.
Lip Balm as a Skin Healer
Not only does lip balm keep your lips soft and hydrated, but it can also work wonders for dry patches on your elbows, cracked heels, or even under your eyes for a quick moisture boost.
Tinted Lip Stain as Blush
A tinted lip balm or lip stain can also double as a blusher, giving you a cohesive, natural look without needing a separate product. It’s perfect for a quick beauty fix when you’re in a hurry.
BB Cream with SPF
A BB cream can combine foundation, moisturiser, and sun protection in one. It’s the ultimate multitasker for those who want to save time in their skincare and makeup routine while getting the benefits of hydration and protection from UV rays.
Moisturisers with Bonus Benefits
Some moisturisers can do loads of things! They can be used on the face and body, for example. They can hydrate and provide anti-aging ingredients such as retinol or peptides. Why settle for a single-tasker?

How to Find the Best Multitasking Beauty Products

Finding multitasking beauty products that actually work can be a bit of a challenge. But here below, we found products that combine skincare and makeup benefits, use natural ingredients, and are free from harmful chemicals.

Multitasking Beauty Products We Love

1. Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir

Soothing facial mist? Makeup setting spray? Refreshing toner? Check, check, check! This Beauty Elixir spray is the perfect pick-me-up to carry in your purse. This natural elixir by Caudalie works to refresh your skin throughout the day while also working to tighten pores. Set your makeup or cool your skin if you’re hot and flustered. Tip: Keep this in the fridge for an extra icy blast on a hot day!

Price: Around $44

Best for: The perfect pick-me-up for tired skin; a great toner, and the ideal makeup setting spray.

2. ILIA Beauty Multi-Stick

When summer is a distant memory but spring is slowly upon us, a pop of colour is the perfect way to keep skin looking healthy until the warmer weather comes round around. This creamy, on-to-go multi stick by ILIA is the perfect wash of colour for both your cheeks and lip. It melts into the skin thanks to its soft, buttery texture. It’s easy to apply and wear, even when you’re out and about!

The multi-stick warms up and flatters a range of skin tones, adding a pretty, fresh finish to the complexion. Alternatively, the stick can be used as a lip balm, adding a kiss of moisturising colour to any pucker.

Price: $34.00

Best for: Combining as a lip balm and blusher.

3. Monat Botanic Bakuchiol

Finding the right skincare can be a minefield. And do we really need a cupboard full of products to help us look our best? I’d argue no. You just need a few that are super effective. And Monat’s Botanic Bakuchiol is the perfect skincare product that will do the job of many products combined.

Powdered by nature, this lightweight lotion is one of the best multitasking beauty products for all your skincare needs. It’s loaded with a potent blend of botanical actives that will join forces and work to reduce the signs of ageing, minimise age spots, perfect uneven skin tone, texture, wrinkles and fine lines. All of your skin concerns are taken care of with this plant-based, vegan retinol alternative, which is gentle enough to use daily.

Price: $85.00

Best for: Minimising dark spots on the skin, reducing wrinkles, and hydrating your skin. This is basically a lightening cream, serum and moisturiser in one!

4. Emma Hardie Protect & Prime SPF 30

Eliminate steps in your morning routine thanks to Emma Hardie’s Protect & Prime SPF30. Not only will the non-greasy formula work to hydrate your skin, penetrating deeply to leave skin glowing, it will also work to prime skin ready for makeup. Not quite convinced? What if I told you it also provides SPF protection against UVA AND UVB damage for up to eight hours?

Price: Around $65.00

Best for: The perfect protection against daily environmental damage. This is an SPF, primer and moisturiser in one.

5. NudeStix Sculpting Pencil

This one is for the contour queens! Both a highlighter and contour stick, this vegan friendly 2-in-1 dual-ended pencil comes with a lighter shade for highlighting on one end, and a deeper shade for contouring on the other. With a matte finish, the moisturising sculpting pencil provides an effortless way to define and enhance your features with a naturally sculpted look.

The range includes four dual-ended pencils that range from light to dark shades, so anyone can master the art of contour and highlighter makeup!

Price: Around $27

Best for: Contour queens! Now you can highlight and contour easily on-the-go.

6. Milk Makeup Flex Highlighter

The Flex Highlighter by Milk Makeup is a must-own beauty product. The pearlescent pressed highlighter lends a beautiful glow to skin when swept across the cheekbones. And, thanks to its hyaluronic acid spheres, it will even add a little plumping and moisturising when used.

This golden shimmer can even be used on eyelids and the breast bone for an extra glow. So in short, this is a highlighter, eyeshadow and bronzer I’d call that a triple threat!

Price: Around $38.00

Best for: Giving cheeks and eyes a sunkissed glow – whatever the season!

7. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse

This well-loved French staple is all you need to leave your skin silky-soft after a shower. It will also leave your cuticles nourished, your skin hydrated, and even your locks nourished after every use. Oh, and did I mention it smells delicious, and the scent lingers so long, I’d also call this a perfume?

Simply rub a few drops between your hands and use where it’s needed. Use sparingly through the ends of your hair to soothe strands without leaving them greasy.

Price: Around $25.00

Best for: Smooth skin, shiny hair and healthy cuticles.

8. Dr PAWPAW Multipurpose Soothing Balm

A balm is one of the best natural multitasking beauty products you can own. And there’s no better one than the Dr. PAWPAW Multipurpose Soothing Balm!

This is an award-winning 100% natural, vegan and cruelty free multi-tasking balm that’s packed with the power of pawpaw (papaya) fruit. There’s also soothing aloe vera and hydrating olive oil. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, this is the perfect skin cream, lip gloss, cuticle cream, and hair-tip conditioner.

Price: $3

Best for: Soothing away dryness, whether it’s on your body, lips or hair.

9. LIHA Idan Oil

If you’ve ever massaged melted coconut oil onto your hair as a mask, then you’ll know how silky smooth it leaves your hair. Wanting something a little fancier than your usual jar of supermarket coconut oil? Liha’s Idan Oil, named after the Yoruba word for magic, is just that: magic! This palm-oil free oil will work miracles on dry, dehydrated skin and can be applied to both the body and face after showering. You can also soften the hairs on your pits and legs with this before shaving. Alternatively, you can use it as a leave-in conditioner to really show your hair some love!

And if you ever find yourself without perfume, the tuberose scent absorbs into your skin, meaning this is something of a perfume, too.

Price: Around $55.00

Best for: Indulging in some top-to-toe self-love! This is a perfume, shaving oil, hair conditioner and skin hydrator, all in one.

Our Conclusion? Multitasking Beauty Products Are Worth It!

With multitasking beauty products, you can reduce waste, save time, and cut costs—all while still looking and feeling your best. The next time you’re considering a beauty product, think about how it can serve more than one purpose.

Author
Recent Posts

Lora O'Brien

Food Editor at Eluxe Magazine

After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience of being a new mom. See more about Lora here.