Beauty junkies who go through skincare products faster than a heat-seeking missile soars through the air face the same problem: what do you do with all those empties? Sure, the easy way out is to just toss them in the trash and forget about it. But we know the eco-warrior in you feels a tinge of guilt with that outdated approach.

Going zero waste or low-waste is not just a movement. It’s a lifestyle. It’s about thinking long-term, doing our environment a favor and preserving our planet. So what the heck does that have to do with your favorite cleanser or moisturizer?

The next time you’re tempted to throw away a skincare jar or bottle, stop. You could be holding your next decorative vase, candle or oil diffuser. Seriously. It’s all about Upcycling.

When you think of all the different beauty bottles you’ve been throwing away, it boggles the mind, doesn’t it? When you think of them not just as throwaway bottles but as lovely vessels for some other purpose, it’s easy to begin imagining how they could potentially be of service in your life.

For one thing, some skincare brands go to great lengths to design packaging that’s too gorgeous to part with. Can you use that old jar of cream as a dainty jewelry box? As a small planter for a succulent? As a decorative container to hold paper clips in your office? Envisioning your bottles in their new role is half the fun.

If your home is now an upcycled haven of skincare-inspired accents and you still have some empties on hand, then give them a new home. Now that you’re an expert upcycler you can use your bottles to create surprisingly fun gifts for your friends and family. Paint a jar and load it with M&M’s. Fill an old toner bottle with olive oil and herbs. Around the winter holidays, make ready-to-go hot cocoa jars complete with cocoa mix and mini marshmallows (remember to top it off with a fabulous bow). Sometimes, the best gift is the one you upcycle.