FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Millions of people and families in Britain have to make the horrible decision to either eat or stay clean, because they are living in such serious poverty that they cannot afford to do both. We don’t think that’s fair, and so we’re here to help. We distribute unused toiletries to registered charitable organisations throughout Britain who, in turn, distribute them to the clients who desperately need them. Simple!

We source our products in two ways. We work direct with beauty and toiletries brands and retailers of all sizes, and accept whatever unused overstocked, repackaged or discontinued toiletries and beauty products they can give us. These donations can range from a couple of hundred moisturisers or spot creams, to several thousand shampoos or sanitary towels. But Beauty Banks can’t survive on these donations alone. Your unused toiletries and beauty products are vital to our service, and our individual supporters are the heart and soul of the organisation. We would love your unwanted gifts, hotel and flight travel minis, mistake purchases and more! Every last one of them will be given to someone living in poverty.

People living in poverty need what everyone else needs, so a great way of working out what best to donate is to imagine a day or week in your life, and list the products you used: toothbrush and paste, shower gel, razor and razorblades, shaving gel, soap, flannels, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tampons or sanitary towels, face wash, body lotion, face moisturiser, hairbrush, comb and nail clippers. If you have children, think about their essentials too - talcum powder, baby shampoo, nappies, wipes, bum cream, hair and toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby bath and lotion. Our teen clients need deodorant, spot cream and sanitary protection. Our clients living in temporary accommodation and homeless shelters often need travel minis they can carry more easily from place to place. We at Beauty Banks serve all kinds of clients of all genders and ages. Put yourself in any of their shoes and send what you’d need to feel human and dignified. If you’d like further inspiration, check out our current wish list on Easho.

As well as used products we’re unable to accept items such as fake tan, health supplements and vitamins, body slimming and weight loss products. We also prefer not to receive nail polish, as this frequently smashes in transit.