This month I’ve been gifted a lovely selection of products from The Humble Co, an eco dental hygiene and cosmetics brand based in Sweden who I came across on Instagram and when I saw their range of products and read about their ethics I instantly wanted to work with them. But before we get into all the details of all the stuff here’s my unboxing video…
Unboxing Video:
Product 1: Natural humble floss picks – mint (50 pack)
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Floss picks made entirely from plastics? old school. try the humble floss picks that use corn-starch as its main base. comes packed in a eco-friendly paper bag.
Humble floss picks makes flossing a piece of cake! the double threading ensures that food debris is effectively removed whilst the shape of the pick promotes easy access to those hard to reach places. made primarily from corn-starch and packaged in eco-friendly paper packaging, humble floss picks aim to minimise the stress on our environment whilst providing a first class experience.
Use humble floss picks daily and give your mouth something to smile about!
70% PLA & 30% PP
polyethylene floss
My Review:
These floss picks are the reason why I approached humble in the first place, as I was so pleased that someone had come up with a more eco-friendly designed one. I also love the double string as it does get more out from between your teeth. The main structure is made out of PLA – which is compostable and is the materially commonly associated with 3D printing.
Another eco tip to make these last longer is use them in the shower and then rinse them after, that way they can last for a few days rather than single use 🙂 – I think using them this way means that a 50 pack will last me a very long time, so I am happy with swap and definitely going to stick with it 🙂
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is different than most thermoplastic polymers in that it is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. Most plastics, by contrast, are derived from the distillation and polymerization of nonrenewable petroleum reserves. Plastics that are derived from biomass (e.g. PLA) are known as “bioplastics.”
creativemechanisms.com
PLA is compostable, meaning microbes will break it down harmlessly into biomass and gas within a few months, given the right conditions.
dezeen.com
Is Polypropylene Environmentally Friendly? Polypropylene is more environmentally friendly than some other plastics. It’s recyclable and doesn’t release as many toxins as plastics such as PVC. It also breaks down more quickly, taking just 20-30 years compared to over 500 years for some other plastics
naturaler.co.uk
Product 2: Toothbrush Case
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Keep your humble brush clean and safe while travelling. a stylish case made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo. 100 % bamboo
My Review:
You know if you have followed me any time at all how much I love bamboo as material. These cases are a lovely design for whenever you go away and you want to keep your toothbrush clean in your sponge bag. Definitely a winner.
Product 3: Rainbow Kids Toothbrush
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Humble Brush has a handle made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo. the bristles are made of nylon-6 bristles from Dupont. the packaging is eco-friendly, the box and inside wrapper are made from recycled materials, and can be thrown out with the organic trash.
bamboo handle
nylon-6 bristles
natural wax (vegan)
My Review:
2020 has been the year of the rainbows, certainly in the UK, when I see rainbows at peoples windows it always makes me smile and like I am part of a bigger community of people. So when I saw these brushes I knew I wanted them. They are so pretty and eco too. I was advised by another bamboo brush supplier that the best (most eco) way to dispose of a bamboo brush at the end of its life (after it has been used for brushing teeth and then as a cleaning brush after that) is to use pilers to pull out the bristles, as they are recyclable, and then compost the handle and it should rot down, in a few months to a year.
Product 4: Humble brush adult, soft – replaceable head – purple
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Humble Brush has a handle made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo. the bristles are made of nylon-6 bristles from Dupont. the packaging is eco-friendly, the box and inside wrapper are made from recycled materials, and can be thrown out with the organic trash.
bamboo handle
nylon-6 bristles
natural wax (vegan)
My Review:
This is in theory an even more eco way of using bamboo brushes, replacement heads on a bamboo brush, just mean a little less waste again. Not sure if the idea will catch on but its a good idea to make something eco even more so. 🙂
Product 5: Cotton swabs – spiral tip – white 100-pack
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Distressed consumer – what am I going to use now that plastic cotton buds have been banned in all of Europe?
The Humble Co. – how about a cotton bud that does everything that your plastic one used to, but one that is biodegradable and made from plants, only?
made from 100% sustainably grown bamboo and naturally colored cotton. keep it simple.
stylish and smooth cotton swabs with a handle made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo. cotton with natural coloring on the ends. 100 pcs of swab per pack.
bamboo
organic cotton
My Review:
I actually love this product! The problem with a lot of cardboard straw alternatives is that they bend so easily; bamboo gives you the same firmness of use that plastic did, but without any of the environmental impact issues, win win win! Hurray for that, and they’re organic cotton, which I’ve talked about before but if you missed it….
No toxic chemicals are used in the growing of organic cotton. It doesn’t damage the soil, has less impact on the air, and uses 88% less water and 62% less energy. Conventional cotton uses about 16% of the world’s insecticides and 7% of pesticides.
aboutorganiccotton.org
… so that’s a big bonus too and finally I just love the shape and the ridging of the cotton tip, it makes it so much easier to clean your ears in an efficient way. I would literally go as far to say that these are the best cotton buds I have ever found and I will be coming back to buy some more when they run out 🙂
Product 6: Adult bamboo toothbrush
Here’s what they have to say about it:
the world’s most sold – for a reason
The original that took the world by storm. cleans just as well as a plastic toothbrush but made from mother earth’s best invention, bamboo. equipped with the highest quality nylon bristles to ensure dentist approved results, this iconic toothbrush has to date sold in excess of 35 million pieces.
Humble Brush has a handle made from 100% biodegradable, sustainably-grown bamboo. the bristles are made of nylon-6 bristles from Dupont. the packaging is eco-friendly, the box and inside wrapper are made from recycled materials, and can be thrown out with the organic trash.
bamboo handle
nylon-6 bristles
natural wax (vegan)
My Review:
Nice shaping to the handle. Quality made product and fully recyclable (see rainbow brushes above) including packaging.
Product 7: Mint Dental Floss
Here’s what they have to say about it:
as many as 700 million plastic floss containers are discarded each year! we’ve eliminated the need for a plastic case, as the packaging itself becomes your floss dispenser.
flossing is an important routine to reach those hard to reach places between your teeth to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and tartar. humble floss is strong and durable as well as coated with a mint, lemon or cinnamon flavouring as well as xylitol, to ensure that your flossing experience is as efficient, pleasant and effective as possible.
use humble floss daily and give your mouth something to smile about!
made out of nylon, coated with candelilla wax and treated with natural Xylitol (to stabilise PH-levels in your mouth) as well as natural aroma.
My Review:
This product is about going greener if not fully green – but I am all for that as every little really does help when it comes to environmentalism and every swap away from something plastic or reducing plastic really does all help.
Product 8: Toothpaste in glass jar – charcoal with fluoride 50 ml
Here’s what they have to say about it:
We’re constantly challenging the status-quo and this time around we’ve brought back an all time favourite, glass. take your brushing game to the next level with gentle yet effective ingredients, packaged in all-natural, time tested goodness.
The toothpaste jars come in four delicious variants – charcoal, cola, fresh mint and strawberry for kids, the remineralizing toothpaste formula encourages stronger tooth enamel. as the product being both vegan and cruelty free you can brush your teeth with good conscience whilst keeping your teeth fresh and healthy. in addition to this, every purchase of a humble co. product funds projects for the benefit of children in need making it an eco-friendly and socially responsible choice.
My Review:
This product has absolutely nailed it in terms of packaging, there is nothing which I would change – well you know how much I love a jar! But in all seriousness the glass, lid, box and foil is all recyclable in the UK, in your regular household waste (for a lot of places anyway – Central Bedfordshire Council yet to catch up with the need for doorstep glass recycling annoyingly – so we have to go to car park glass banks!). The one thing which I don’t think is particularly needed in the wooden spatula, though completely compostable, it just gets mucky and is hard to wash, from my 2nd time onwards I just scooped the product straight out of the jar with my toothbrush which works fine 🙂
It’s a little odd that it’s black, but I’ve heard charcoal is good for teeth, so lets delve a little deeper on that…
Activated charcoal in toothpaste may help remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb surface stains to some degree. There is no evidence, though, that it has any effect on stains below a tooth’s enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.
healthline.com
but on the other hand :/…
Since the charcoal is abrasive, it can cut through the plaque and then start wearing down the enamel on your teeth. Enamel can’t be replaced: your teeth will become vulnerable to cavities and sensitivity.
milnerdentistry.com
So perhaps charcoal products for teeth aren’t the best for the long term, but this is very minty fresh and makes my mouth feel lovely after use 🙂
Product 9: Toothpaste in glass jar – kids strawberry with fluoride 50 ml
My Review:
The packaging is perfect. There are cute characters on this one for the kids, and the boys love anything “just for them”, they also seem to find mint toothpaste a bit to strong at the moment so we welcome this lovely strawberry flavour.
Product 10: Toothpaste in glass jar – fresh mint with fluoride 50 ml
My Review:
Now that I have learnt what I have about charcoal I think this would be my choice toothpaste going forward, as I say the packaging really is spot on and the flavour is lovely and it is easy to use and theres lots of it to make it last a while. 🙂
You can find The Humble Co. on:
Please use promo code JAMJARGILL for 20% off your order
Go on Pin it!
I am open to doing product review posts, and other collaborations, please find out more on my Work with me page and contact me at product.testing@jamjargill.com if you are interested in sending me a product free-of-charge to test and I will get back to you as soon as I can. My intension going forward is to focus in on testing items which have a green agenda in some way shape or form and/or are beneficial to natural wellbeing. I look forward to hearing from you.
Finding good eco products is sometimes trial and error so it’s always good to find a product that has been reviewed
Glad to have been of help. I always try to be as honest as possible with how I find products 🙂