Truth be told, we all know we should be doing more for the planet when it comes to our beauty routines—but that doesn’t mean we’re willing to change our ways for it. I could fill this story with stats and insights into all of the negative things the beauty industry does to the planet—but I’m not sure it would do anything to spur a course of action into living more sustainably (opens in new tab).
Because yes, it is thought that around 120 billion units of packaging are created every year by the cosmetics industry (although, this stat has been used in every sustainable beauty story I’ve come across online and even I’ve become a bit numb to it). And sure, studies have been done to help prove that using refillable cosmetics products can help reduce carbon emissions, but we’re still left asking—what is actually being done to help?
Not only are most of the global cosmetics players constantly looking at new ways in which they can reduce their carbon emission (opens in new tab)s and gaining B Corp status (opens in new tab), they’re also attempting to make the products themselves less wasteful. While there’s no such thing as truly zero-waste beauty brands, we’re seeing more and more reusable and refillable options on the market.
Nowadays, some of the best and most iconic beauty brands and products out there come in refillable options—and buying the refill can save you a bunch of money. From shampoos and conditioners to bath soaks (opens in new tab) and cleansers (opens in new tab), buying a refillable option can save you money on your go-to products.
And before I get into the refillable beauty products I really recommend (I’ve tested them all), I want to highlight something important—something I’m asked about all the time as a beauty editor. Just because a refill isn’t easily recyclable doesn’t make it a bad purchase. Sure, it’s a huge perk if the refill packets can be popped in your at-home recycling bin, but if they can’t, it’s worth remembering that emissions are saved in countless other ways—from shipping to manufacturing. So if your refill isn’t quite there with recycling yet, that’s not to say it’s not worth your time either.
Now, without further ado, keeping scroll for my rundown of truly great refillable beauty products.
Skincare
1. Skingredients Preprobiotic Cleanse Hydrating Cleanser
Skingredients Preprobiotic Cleanse Hydrating Cleanser
Primary product (opens in new tab), £26
This cream cleanser is one of my favourite in existence. It contains prebiotics and probiotics to keep the skin microbiome in check, and also polyhydroxy acid, a gentle exfoliant that works to bust dulling dead skin and boost hydration at the same time. The pumpless refills can be purchased and popped inside the primary packaging. The idea is, you keep the exterior packaging forever and simply recycle the refill bottles when you’re done. If you’re anything like me, you’ll likely want to repeat purchase.
2. Susanne Kaufmann Purifying Cleansing Gel
Susanne Kaufmann Purifying Cleansing Gel
Primary product (opens in new tab), £65
When it comes to beauty brands that consider sustainability at every business decision, Susanne Kaufmann is up there with the best. Not only is this gel cleanser exceptional for oily skin types, the glass bottles look great on the side and the refill system is genius. The refill bottles are super lightweight, made of 75% post-consumer recycled plastic and themselves are entirely recyclable at home.
3. Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream
Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream
Primary product (opens in new tab), £83
The truth is, when it comes to leave-on skincare, refill systems aren’t easy. Packaging plays a big part in keeping formulas potent and efficacious for a long time. However, brands like Lancôme have come up with clever ways of reducing packaging, both for waste and weight (the heavier the product, the more fuel needed to ship it). Once you buy the initial pot, any repurchases can be made on the refill—just take out the empty one from your pot and screw this lightweight one in.
4. Stella by Stella McCartney Restore Cream
Stella by Stella McCartney Restore Cream
Primary product (opens in new tab), £85
Stella McCartney really changed the refill game with this launch last year. The primary product includes a glass pot (which looks wonderfully aesthetic), complete with a handy pump. The formula is housed in these lightweight bags (which are recyclable, by the way). Just unscrew the lid and screw on the pump before popping it in the glass jar. The best bit is, if you keep hold of the lid, you can leave the heavy pot at home when travelling.
Body
5. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Primary product (opens in new tab), £31
This hand soap is easily one of the most popular luxury hand soaps in existence, so it’s worth knowing about this pumpless refill product. The bottle is made up of a minimum of 97% post-consumer recycled plastic and the formula can be squeezed into your existing (beautiful) bottle.
6. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil Refill 500ml
Primary product (opens in new tab), £19.50 for 250ml
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil is easily one of the best shower products out there. If you’ve never experienced the joy of smelling this beautifully fresh, almond product, I feel sorry for you. It’s worth noting though, it’s pricey. Costing nearly £20 for a small 250ml bottle, this 500ml refill bag for £32 makes repurchasing it an easier pill to swallow. Plus, it has 84% less plastic packaging weight than the original product—exceptional.
7. Dr. Organic Aloe Vera Body Wash
Dr. Organic Aloe Vera Body Wash Refill 5L
Primary product (opens in new tab), £6.49 for 250ml
Ideal for those with families who get through countless body washes every month, this massive 5-litre refill bottle from organic skincare brand, Dr. Organic, is a great option. Not only do super-sized refill products like this save on plastic, this one also contains the equivalent of 20 normal bottles—which would cost a whopping £130, but this big bottle is all yours for £60.
8. Bramley Hand Wash
Bramley Hand Wash Compostable Refill Pouch
Primary product (opens in new tab), £16
This is refills done right. The compostable pouch contains a 250ml refill of Bramley’s beautfully calming lavender, petitgrain and geranium hand soap. The pouches are made from cellulose and biopolymer composite, meaning they’ll decompose in home compost within around 32 weeks. The cardboard outer envelope is also 100% recycled and 100% recyclable.
9. Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse
Isle of Paradise Glow Clear Self-Tanning Mousse
Primary product (opens in new tab), £20
Fashion’s Digest UK‘s Beauty Writer, Grace Lindsay, loves this product. “Made with 81% less plastic, these Isle of Paradise pouches are my favourite way to get my glow on. The tanning mousse leaves me with a gorgeous sunkissed look, and all you have to do is pour the pouch into your empty bottle and twist the cap to seal,” she says.
Make-up
10. Dior Addict Hydrating Shine Lipstick
Dior Addict Hydrating Shine Lipstick
Primary product (opens in new tab), £37
Luxury beauty brands like Dior put luxury first, meaning sustainability typically falls by the wayside. However, these lipsticks can be purchased as refills—meaning they come without the bulky cases but can be easily slotted into existed ones. They still have some way to go in terms of recycling, but every little helps.
11. Rose Inc Cream Blush
Rose Inc Cream Blush Refillable Lip & Cheek Colour
Primary product (opens in new tab), £25
This cream blush is so beautifully blendable and natural looking, I’ve already gone through two—something which is basically unheard of for me. The compacts themselves are minimalist and beautiful but not particularly great in terms of waste, especially if you go through this product as quickly as I do (it lasts a long time, it’s just testament to how much I use it). Luckily, you can purchase the pan refills separately.
Hair
12. Ouai Medium Hair Shampoo
Ouai Medium Hair Shampoo 946ml
Primary product (opens in new tab), £28 for 300ml
Ouai’s shampoos aren’t just great for your hair, they also smell (and look) beautiful. A 300ml bottle costs £28, but this 946ml refill pouch comes in at £56, which when you think about it, means you get an entire bottle’s worth (and more) for ‘free’. They’re also made with 60% less plastic.
13. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Long Hair Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Long Hair Shampoo 500ml
Primary product (opens in new tab), £6 for 400ml
In terms of monetary saving, this one isn’t as good as other’s on the list. Having said that, it is already an affordable product. Elvive is one of the most popular shampoo brands worldwide, so these refill pouches, which use 75% less plastic, are a major step in the right direction.
Fragrance
14. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Rosa Rossa Eau de Parfum
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Rosa Rossa Eau de Parfum 200ml
Primary product (opens in new tab), £102 for 75ml
While refills are big news in skincare and haircare, not many think about the waste in the fragrance industry. With most perfumes being housed in heavy glass bottles, and many of us repurchasing the same signature perfumes year after year, it makes sense that refills could make a big difference. This perfume from Guerlain is beautifully floral and light—it’s the ultimate spring scent. This 200ml refill costs £163, so it’s not exactly a bargain buy. However, considering I’ve consumed two 75ml bottles over the past couple of years—which come in at £204 for 150ml—it seems like a no brainer to opt for the much more lightweight refill.
15. Giorgio Armani My Way Parfum
Giorgio Armani My Way Parfum 100ml
Primary product (opens in new tab), £92 for 50ml
Giorgio Armani is another fragrance brand that understands the appeal of refills. Also using a clever anti-spill system, this 100ml refill bottle makes for a great way to top up on your signature scent (My Way is a popular crowdpleaser for good reason). It costs just £18 more for the 100ml refill than one 50ml bottle.