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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval
Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval
Dec 4, 2024 10:51 PM

  Even though most of us try to be as environmentally conscious as we can, it’s easy to overlook how much some everyday items we use hurt our cause — especially in the beauty space. The unfortunate reality is that most new beauty products are incredibly hard to recycle because of their containers, which are typically made from mixed materials like plastic, glass, and paper.

  Luckily for us, all hope is not lost: Companies are stepping up to be more eco-friendly by prioritizing refillable beauty products that come in jugs, pods, or wrapped in recycled materials. Although refillable beauty products are not a catch-all solution, they can help cut down on the estimated 120 billion cosmetic and personal care packages created by the beauty industry.

  Best Refillable Beauty Products

  Best Overall: Humankind Refillable DeodorantBest to Pump Up the Volume: Best of Celeb Beauty: Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer and SunscreenBest for Your Fave Sun Bum: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless BronzerBest for Baby Soft Skin: Medik8 Press and Glow Refill Toner

  What Brands Are Doing (and Want You to Do)

  To help offset environmental concerns, companies like and Youth to the People now sell refillable beauty in containers made from post-consumer materials. Credo, the clean beauty world’s equivalent to Sephora, banned the sale of items in single-use plastics. There are also programs like Terracycle, which teamed up with mega-brands like Garnier to dispose of hard-to-recycle skincare and haircare bottles.

  Some companies like Uni and LeLabo encourage shoppers to return their empty bottles and refill them, which ultimately puts the eco-friendly responsibility squarely on their consumers. While not a perfect system yet, it’s a step in the right direction to help minimize consumer waste.

  You’ll Save Money, Too

  Need another incentive to switch over to refillable beauty products? You’ll save money! You might not realize it but brands upcharge you for cool packaging and other accouterments that come with your original item. For example, a 1.6-ounce jar of Caudalie’s newest moisturizer costs $72, while a same size refill costs only $61. Since each jar is estimated to last a month, you’ll save $121 a year just by purchasing the refills. This is fantastic if you're giving a refillable product as a gift, too, because it shows that you care not only about the planet, but also about their budget.

  How We Chose

  Ready to finally switch over to a more sustainable approach to beauty? To help you get started on incorporating refillable beauty products into your routine, I researched and found the most impressive refillable beauty items on the market. Beyond refillable packaging, I considered how the product performs, analyzed ingredients, and combed through hundreds of online reviews to ensure their overall value.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval1

  1Best Overall

  Humankind Refillable Deodorant

  Enjoy all-day freshness with the help of this natural deodorant that’s free of baking soda and aluminum. Instead, it has a plant-based formula infused with minerals to help neutralize body odor 40% faster than traditional deodorants. It also provides a smooth glide as you swipe on the stick deodorant.

  Safe and gentle for sensitive skin, humankind promises you’ll be pleasantly surprised how its natural deodorant performs similarly to traditional alternatives. The brand swears their deodorant stick is so non-toxic, you could eat it (although I wouldn’t recommend noshing on any beauty products) — yes, not even Jessica Simpson’s now-defunct Dessert Beauty line (RIP).

  After picking a scent — Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Rosemary Mint, Lavender Citrus, and Coconut — and a reusable bottle color, you can purchase refills. All you should do is compost or throw away the cellulose lining before loading up the next insert. A great gift for the teen in your life, because it's as gorgeous as it is helpful, and if you just buy them a bunch of inserts as well, you don't need to remember to pick up a stick nearly as often.

  Humankind is also carbon neutral by offsetting orders and production by investing in strategic forest preservation projects.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval2

  2Best to Pump Up the Volume

  OUAI Fine Shampoo

  Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin knows the secret to a good hair day: high-quality basics like shampoo and conditioner. OUAI’s color-safe shampoo uses impressive ingredients like chia seed oil to thicken and volumize strands, while hydrolyzed keratin helps soften, smoothen frizz, and imparts a glossy finish. It also has biotin, a superhero ingredient loved by haircare experts because it promotes hair growth.

  The smell of citrus, florals, and musk is so enticing that people will approach your giftee to get a better whiff of the attention-grabbing fragrance.

  All OUAI products are free of parabens, sulfates, gluten, and phthalates, but we love that its are made with 60% less plastic than bottles. OUAI says that one refill pouch is equal to three regular-sized shampoo bottles.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval3

  3Best Budget Buy

  Gillette Venus Radiant Skin Razor for Women

  Not ready to invest in a $180 electric razor? Gillette teamed up with Olay to create our most affordable refillable beauty product that delivers a great shave.

  The Radiant Skin Razor head has a lube strip and five stainless-steel blades that effortlessly glide across your curves and won't irritate sensitive skin. It also features a unique button that disperses a fragrance-free Olay moisturizer infused with seaweed and or pearl powder to hydrate your skin.

  It cuts through unwanted hair like a warm knife and a stick of butter, while moisturizing strips leave your skin silky smooth. The flexible razor head and the ability to control how much moisturizer is dispersed are two major wins.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval4

  4For At-Home Spa Vibes

  L’Occitane Cleansing and Softening Almond Shower Oil

  Body care products are equally as essential as our facial routine and an area your loved ones might skimp on caring for, making this body cleansing oil a gift-worthy treat. Water turns this golden body oil into a lightly foamy wash that softens the skin with sweet almond and grape seed oils while showering. It’s so hydrating that your giftee can even skip using shaving cream before hair removal.

  L’Occitane is a certified B-Corp and recently revamped its packaging to become more eco-friendly. The brand also teamed up with TerraCycle, which picks up products that aren’t normally recycled at a drop-off point or by mail, so this waste can be upcycled into something new.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval5

  5Best for Touch-Ups

  Brush On Block Mineral Sunscreen Powder

  After your giftee artfully applies their face makeup, the last thing they’ll want to deal with is accidentally rubbing away their handiwork with sunscreen. That’s where powder sunscreens like Brush On Block come in handy — they absorb oil and minimize shine without disrupting makeup, similar to a setting powder.

  Brush on Block has a mineral formula that sits on top of the skin to deflect solar rays that cause burns and aging. This is especially enticing for anyone with sensitive skin or prefers reef-friendly sunscreen. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

  My biggest hack is to dust this SPF along your part for protection and onto your scalp to absorb excess oil like a dry shampoo. Not only does it cut down on the number of products someone needs to buy, but each refillable container lasts an average of 90 days, so your giftee will only need to purchase three refills a year.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval6

  6Best of Celeb Beauty

  Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer and Sunscreen

  Bad Gal Riri is here to help simplify your loved one's morning routine by combining two beauty must-haves: face sunscreen and moisturizer. Hydra Vizor provides broad-spectrum protection against the sun's harsh ultraviolet A and B rays that can cause signs of aging, sunburns, and cancer.

  It also uses niacinamide, aka vitamin B-3, a superhero ingredient that seemingly does it all — brightening, anti-aging, pore-refining, and moisturizing, to name a few benefits. There's also hyaluronic acid to surge your face with some much-needed moisture.

  Beyond its Clean At Sephora-approved ingredient list, this oil-free and non-comedogenic product is refillable, and the packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval7

  7Best for Firming, Lifting, and Contouring

  Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Retinol Alternative Firming Night Moisturizer

  Caudalie’s latest release earned a green and white Clean at Sephora badge, indicating the brand is formulated without ingredients the retailer avoids, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

  Ideal for dry and normal skin types, this night moisturizer is brimming with superstar moisturizers, including two sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules. It’s also made with resveratrol, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that visibly firms up wrinkles.

  When your gift recipient runs out of this face cream, they can just pop in a $61 replacement container and recycle their old empty one.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval8

  8Best Plant-Based Face Wash

  Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser Refill Kit

  Youth to the People is one of the best readily available skincare brands in the game. Sephora shoppers, TikTokers, and our staff all can’t get enough of their products. I recently named their new body wash as a recipient of our inaugural 2024 Best New Beauty Awards, so you can rest easy knowing the brand delivers high-quality goods.

  The Superfood Cleanser is a fan-favorite plant-based face wash that relies on ingredients we all know and love for skincare benefits, including green tea, spinach, kale, and vitamins C and E. Together, these natural ingredients will rebalance your giftee’s skin pH-balance, removes makeup (goodbye double cleansing!), and keep their pores clean.

  Unlike other refillable beauty products on this list, Youth to the People provides you with a full-sized face cleanser and refill bottle. There’s even a handy funnel to prevent any messes.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval9

  9Best for Your Fave Sun Bum

  Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Bronzer

  Leave it to legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury to create the GOAT of bronzers. I’m obsessed with this bronzer for imparting a stunning sun-kissed touch to all skin tones without exposing skin to ultraviolet solar rays.

  Tilbury’s bronzer is unique because it’s infused with hyaluronic acid, a dermatologist-approved moisture magnet that ensures our skin is softer and smoother. Despite its matte finish — a dream for my oily complexion — it’s made with a trio of mica, silica, and perfecting powders that prolong the wearability of the makeup and create a gorgeous, soft-focused effect.

  The refillable magnetic inserts are available in four shades and honestly last for what feels like forever. I dust on this powder bronzer frequently on my skin and in my eye creases, and it took me several months before I even began to hit pan.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval10

  10Best for Baby-Soft Skin

  Medik8 Press and Glow Refill Toner

  Chemical exfoliation can be tricky: People should avoid using a very strong product too frequently or it can desensitize the skin and cause premature aging. Enhance your giftee’s glow with this epic face toner from Medik8 that promises visibly radiant skin within two weeks. It’s safe enough to use up to twice daily, but I advise starting slow, like a few times a week, before amping up the frequency.

  The star ingredients of this face toner are gluconolactone and prickly pear extract, which remove dead cells to reveal smoother, baby-soft skin underneath. The water-loving ingredient simultaneously hydrates, while aloe vera and acai extract calm your complexion by reducing redness and inflammation.

  With twice daily use, each bottle should last two months — and if your loved one’s skin can handle the exfoliating toner daily, it can last about four months. If you have a sensitive-skin giftee on your list, this is a great choice.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval11

  11Best for Spa Days

  Nécessaire The Body Wash

  I’m our resident Nécessaire stan and genuinely haven’t met a product I don't love from the brand. And whenever I want to recreate an at-home spa day, I always reach for this Nécessaire body wash.

  The gel formulation is sublime—it’s chock full of facial-grade skincare ingredients like cacao, marula, and meadowfoam oils, which surge my skin with vitamins, omegas, and niacinamide. My dry skin feels softer whenever I use this body wash, and eczema flare-ups are calmed and occur less frequently.

  Nécessaire is honestly that girl! The brand hits all the checkmarks with its more earth-friendly approach to beauty, including being a Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral, Plastic Neutral, and having packaging that is FSC-Certified. The jumbo container is made from aluminum, and despite its large size, it doesn’t spill over when I refill my old Necessaire container.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval12

  12Best for Sensitive Skin

  Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

  Hypochlorous acid is one of the most underrated skincare ingredients in the game — and it’s the star ingredient of Tower 28 Beauty’s hero facial spray.

  It quickly soothes red, irritated skin, and promotes healing. As someone with oily, acne-prone skin, I enjoy misting SOS onto my face to help treat blemishes.

  All skin types, including someone with super sensitive skin, can enjoy this three-ingredient facial spray. It’s the only refillable beauty product in this guide that earned approval from the National Eczema Association. As someone with eczema (boo!), I can attest that this alcohol-free spray helps reduce redness and calm flare-ups.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval13

  13Best for Oily Skin

  Jane Iredale Purepressed Base Set

  This mineral-based powder foundation is excellent for warmer weather because it helps cut down on shine without compromising coverage. You can use a dense kabuki makeup brush for full coverage or a fluffy powder brush for a light wash of product over your face.

  Reviewers say it doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles, which is a common problem with other powder foundations. They also love that the antioxidant-rich foundation doesn’t ignore darker skin tones — there are 26 shades to choose from, which isn’t the norm in mineral makeup. It is also water-resistant for up to 40 hours, so you can feel confident wearing this poolside.

  The set includes an aluminum shell that can fit this , a , or a from the brand. It’s also equipped with a magnetic closure, so you won’t have to worry about your pressed powder spilling into your bag.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval14

  14Best Fast-Drying Formula

  Australian Glow 1-Hour Express Tan Mousse in Ultra Dark.

  If you’re still using a self-tanning bed, then it’s time to finally make the switch over to a safe sunless tanner. Australian Glow’s refillable container is made from oceanic plastic waste and uses 82% less plastic than the original Self Tan Mousse bottle.

  The whipped mousse is infused with skincare-quality ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin C to hydrate and brighten skin. While vitamin A prevents acne, green tea extract and antioxidant-rich goji berries fight signs of aging.

  The paraben-free self-tanner is fast-drying and doesn’t have that fake-tan smell, and reviewers say it never turns them into an orange Oompa Loompa.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval15

  15Best for Fragrance Aficionados

  Kilian Good Girl Gone Bad

  Kilian, a French perfumery, marries a chic design with incredibly intoxicating and long-wearing scents that justify the high price tag. Although this refillable set will set you back almost $200, it’s one of the cheapest perfumes from the company.

  Good Girl Gone Bad is one of the brand’s signature scents and is part of their Narcotics collection. It combines light and flirty orange blossom, rose of May, and osmanthus absolute with enticing tuberose, jasmine, and narcissus. The result is a seductive and playful scent that will make your loved one feel like the most opulent lady in any room they enter.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval16

  16Best for Supermodel Brows

  Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Refillable Eyebrow Pencil

  I love a thick eyebrow moment, but sometimes your loved one will want to enhance their brows — and that’s where Charlotte Tilbury’s eyebrow pencil shines. It features a tiny yet sturdy angled tip that doesn’t break and lets me create hair-like strokes to fill in my sparse brows. Brow Cheat also features a double-ended pencil with a skinny spoolie to tame unruly brow hairs.

  Each brow pencil is made with pigments and two types of waxes for a smooth and easy-to-blend application. The waterproof pencil is available in eight shades, including Natural Black, my go-to shade.

  They can order pencil refills from Sephora or directly through Charlotte Tilbury.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval17

  17Best for a Natural, Multipurpose Flush

  Rose Inc Cream Blush Refillable Cheek and Lip Color

  Model-actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley created a high-performance clean beauty brand, and one of her standout refillable products is this 2-in-1 blush and lip tint.

  These blushes are infused with squalane for weightless moisture, skin-smoothing sodium hyaluronate, and ceramides to support a healthier skin barrier. I like using my fingers to dab this product onto my cheeks and my lips for the most realistic flush.

  Its packaging is also on point! The slim compact is made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic and features a fantastic built-in mirror for touchups.

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval18

  18For Soft, Non-Sticky Skin

  UNI 24-Hour Serum

  Since its inception, Uni has been all about bringing more earth-friendly beauty products to the forefront. They make many body and haircare products and even launched a gua sha tool for depuffing.

  The brand’s standout pick is the 24-Hour Serum, a lightweight body treatment that combines a moisturizing marine complex with exfoliating Australian lime caviar. There’s even Australian kakadu plum, which is rich in brightening vitamin C and collagen for improved elasticity.

  The Uni refills are made from recyclable aluminum and the paper container they come in is 100% FSC-certified. The brand also supports ocean conservation by supporting coral reef gardeners. Uni estimates each body serum will last for approximately 200 pumps or about 90 days for a single person.

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Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval19

  19For a Gentle Cleanser

  Clarins Velvet Facial Milk Cleanser

  I initially borrowed this face wash from my mom, who has dry, sensitive skin. During the winter, my complexion becomes easily irritated, especially when I try new beauty products for editorial consideration.

  Clarins organic, plant-based face wash helps remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, and even waterproof makeup with some elbow grease. (Always use gentle pressure for the best results.) Whenever I use this milky cleanser, my skin feels refreshed and never tight, and with regular use, it even looks glowy.

  A full bottle of the 6.7 fl. oz container lasts me anywhere between 6-10 weeks, depending on whether I test other face washes in between. The refillable container is double the size and should last you for at least a few months.

  

  

Why These 25 Refillable Beauty Products Earned Our Beauty Editor’s Approval20

  20Best for Softer, Cleaner Hands

  Homecourt Cipres Mint Hand Wash

  Ugh, I know it’s annoying this hand soap is $32, but Homecourt by Courteney Cox is like the Bentley of soaps and home cleaning products. The sleek, minimal black packaging looks enticing on my kitchen and bathroom sink counters. Even the refillable packages made from kraft paper are relatively stylish.

  Aesthetics aside, Homecourt’s Hand Wash is incredibly effective. My hands are noticeably softer whenever I use this splurge-worthy gift from Courteney Cox. They all utilize argan oil and Australian hibiscus flower extract to moisturize, while coconut-derived surfactants keep hands clean.

  I especially love the aromatic blend of eucalyptus, spearmint, and black tea in Cipres Mint and the cardamom, mate leaves, and cinnamon found in Cox’s signature scent called Cece. There’s also Balsam Fireplace, a Best New Beauty Award-winning scent, Neroli Leaf for citrus lovers, and Steeped Rose.

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