7 Ways To Save Money On Nontoxic Skincare and Makeup

Let me just cut to the chase here: quality, nontoxic skincare and makeup can be expensive compared to what you’re used to purchasing.

But so can plenty of other products with questionable ingredients.

The point of this post isn’t to argue if the price is justified. This post is even better because I’m going to tell you how to save money when you buy nontoxic skincare and makeup.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

1. Sign up for Subscribe and Save.

Many retailers offer “subscribe and save” options that allow consumers to set up automatic replenishment options in exchange for a discount, saving you as much as 15 or 20 percent. These subscriptions allow you to pause, cancel, or move your shipments, allowing you to maintain your beauty care routines without interruption. Remember: All companies are different, so make sure you read the terms and conditions.

2. Buy from companies with money-back guarantees.

How many times have you purchased nontoxic skincare products, makeup, or deodorant and then have been suuuper disappointed when they didn’t work for your body’s specific chemistry? And now you’re stuck with a glorified paper weight?

Enter the money-back guarantee. When companies believe in and stand behind their products, they often offer money-back guarantees even if you use the product. Some brands specify that at least half of the product must remain to be issued a refund; others don’t state anything regarding the amount. Some guarantees are 30 days; others are 60 days. Remember: All companies are different, so read their return policies.

The nontoxic skincare products I use have a 72 percent repeat purchase rate, which means the customers love the products and continue to buy from the brand. The company offers the money-back guarantee because they’re so confident in their products. 

(I tried to find a number to compare that to, and most of the articles I read stated that average repeat purchase rates for ecommerce companies are between 20 and 40 percent. So 72 percent is phenomenal.)

3. Refer friends and family.

Some companies offer you a referral code to give out to friends and family, which means that if they buy, you can earn money back or free products!

4. Sign up for loyalty programs.

Some retailers offer loyalty programs that reward you for purchasing with them. This can be in the form of vouchers, early access to sales, special events, free shipping, etc.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Don’t forget to check out my favorite products on my shop page!

5. Sign up with rewards and coupon apps.

Don’t leave money on the table! Shopping rewards companies like Rakuten, Lolli RetailMeNot, Honey, and Cently save you the hassle of looking for coupon codes, and many of them give you cash back. 

For example, the other day I visited the website of clean beauty retailer Follain, and my Rakuten browser extension started flashing. When I clicked on it, it said “Activate 4% Cash Back.” And Honey’s cash back for Follain said 1-8 percent.

Not too bad, eh? Just remember that you have to activate the offers to get the cash back. Well, every company is different, so read their specific rules. (Am I sounding like a broken record yet?)

Also, for all you Lululemon fans, when I wrote this post on May 3, 2020, you could get a whopping 11 percent cash back on lululemon.com through Rakuten. You’re welcome.

6. Purchase samples.

If a company offers samples, buy them! This is especially important for makeup when you don’t know if a color is the right match for your skin tone.

I buy most of my makeup and hair products from Safe & Chic, and they often throw free samples into my order.

7. Sign up for email lists.

I hate getting a ton of emails, but I’m on the list for several brands so I get reminders of sales and discount codes.

Signing up for email lists also lets you know when retailers are having holiday sales, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Labor Day.

Which of these things do you do? Let me know in the comments!