As a beauty editor, I love the industry that I work in. There is so much innovation in the world of beauty, and with that comes many exciting new product launches. However, I'd be remiss to not mention the industry is not kindest to the environment and our efforts towards sustainability. Several new products and brands are launching every single day, and with overconsumption comes a colossal amount of waste. In an office discussion just this week, I shared how I often get overwhelmed with the number of new launches that land on the beauty desk each week—I simply don't have enough skin or hair to test everything. And while colleagues, family and friends are very happy to test on my behalf, I'm becoming more and more selective around what I test and recommend, and how the said beauty product affects our planet, including whether it is easily recyclable. A 2018 report by Zero Waste Week found that the beauty industry produces a shocking 142 billion pieces of packaging each year. And as you'll already have noticed, it's not that easy to recycle your empty beauty products. According to The British Beauty Council, only 14% of packaging actually makes it to a recycling plant, and then only 9% is recycled—the rest heads directly to landfill.
As such, you'll only ever find our beauty team recommending the products they truly love and have road-tested themselves on Who What Wear. We don't recommend a product for the sake of it being new—we share it because we really do rate it. In the spirit of becoming more of a minimalist in my beauty routine, (which not only does wonders for the skin—raise a hand if your skin barrier has been personally victimised by a 10-step skincare routine?) I'm streamlining the products that I use. It means there is less clutter in my bathroom and dressing table, and most importantly, less waste. One way I'm doing this is by prioritising brands that offer refillable beauty products.
Beauty refills are becoming more and more popular, and even the mainstream beauty brands are taking notice, and I'm here for it. Choosing refillable products is one way that you can minimise your beauty waste (versus buying a whole new bottle or compact each time you run out) and the refill is often far more cost-effective too, making it kind to the planet and your bank account. It's certainly not going to solve the wider sustainability issues, but is a small step that you can make to minimise the waste you create from new packaging when you replenish your favourite products. Ahead, you'll find some of our favourite brands who offer refills on your favourite beauty products so you can shop more sustainably.
The Best Refillable Beauty Brands
1. The Body Shop
The Body Shop has long championed sustainability, and it now offers refills of its 12 best-selling products. The brand has rolled out refill stations across 720 of its stores globally (a further 130 are coming in 2023) where you can refill your favourite body washes, shampoos and conditioners too. The Tea Tree Face Base powder foundation is much-loved, and the refillable compact is so handy for on-the-go touch-ups.
2. La Bouche Rouge
Behold: the chicest lipstick case you've ever laid your eyes upon. The leather case (which the brand also offers in vegan leather) can be filled with the brands array of lipsticks in satins, mattes and balms. You'll keep this stylish case forever.
3. Tata Harper
Both an excellent primer and ingredient-rich moisturiser, Tata Harper's Water-Lock Moisturiser is a cult product amongst the beauty crowd. It’s also refillable which is another added bonus. After you purchase your first pot, you can top up moisturiser with Refill pods. These lock into the original refillable jar to help reduce overall waste.
4. Dermalogica
This is hands down one of my favourite exfoliators. It's ultra-gentle, with a powder formulation that you mix with water to ever-so-gently buff the skin to reveal a sparkling complexion. I'm keeping my stash stocked up with the refill pouch.
5. Ouai
Ouai's stylish bottles make any bathroom look luxe, and the contents inside are equally amazing—it's one of my favourite hair care brands. Ouai’s refills use 60% less plastic than traditional plastic bottles. After you’ve finished your original 300ml Ouai bottle, use the 900ml pouches to keep your conditioner topped up.
6. Byoma
I regularly call upon Byoma for its affordable yet effective skincare products (everything comes in at under £15) and they offer refills on their brilliant formulas that won't break the bank.
7. Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury has created a refillable option for one of the brand’s hero products. The ‘Hot Lips 2’ refillable lipsticks come in five designs and you can switch up your look with one of the many refillable shades available online and in stores. You'll also find refills for its powder compacts, eyebrow pencils and skincare too.
8. L’Occitane
L’Occitane are doing their bit to help reduce plastic pollution with its substantial range of refillable bath and skincare products. Its best-seller is the Almond shower oil refill duo and alongside its many skin benefits, the oil is sustainably sourced. L’Occitane urges customers to keep the original bottle and purchase one of its refill packs in store or online when you’ve finished (and repeat).
9. Diptyque
Who doesn't want a fancy hand lotion atop their sink? Diptyque has created a refill pouch for its popular velvet hand lotion, which allows you to fill the original reusable glass bottle.
10. Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown has made refilling your everyday makeup simple. For the brand’s iconic brow pen, when your pencil runs out, simply remove the empty cartridge and insert the refill. Done.
11. Le Labo
French Perfumers Le Labo offer an in-store refill service for all of its fragrances. Once you’ve finished your scent, you can take the bottle to Selfridges and other stockists to be replenished at a 20 percent discount.
12. Molten Brown
Molten Brown's iconic hand washes instantly elevate your bathroom, and they make a great treat for every time you wash your hands. The brand offers refill pouches for its scents, but we particularly love the orange and bergamot combination.
13. Isle Of Paradise
Isle Of Paradise is my favourite tanning brand—hands down. The formulas deliver the most realistic tan that wears well and, thankfully, has the least biscuit-smell out of all the tanning products I've tested. The brand now offers refill pouches of its tanning mousse and tanning water formulas.
14. Susanne Kaufmann
Editors flock to Susanne Kaufmann's luxe and sensorial products, and they offer so many refillable products across its extensive range of skincare and body care.
15. Kjaer Weis
After you purchase your very classy Kjaer Weis mascara metal case, you can keep it topped up with its volumising mascara refills. Though committing to just one mascara may be tough for some, the container houses enough mascara for up to 3 months of use, and then can be easily refilled to avoid bacteria build up.
Next up, If You Want to Make Your Beauty Routine More Sustainable, This Is a Good Start
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