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Updated on April 23, 2024
Are you looking for the best refillable skincare brands to help minimize waste and upgrade your sustainable skincare routine in 2024 and beyond?
With 95% of cosmetic packaging thrown away, it’s no surprise that around 70% of the beauty industry’s waste comes from, well, packaging.
Still, despite the huge environmental impact, it’s estimated that globally, cosmetics companies produce more than 120 million units of packaging each year.
If you want to treat acne spots, clarify your complexion, revive dull eyes, and boost your hydration levels in the most eco-friendly way possible, read on to find 2024’s most raved-about companies that offer zero-waste skincare products for every skin type!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the 15 best refillable body wash brands for an eco lather!
The best refillable skincare brands in 2024!
While we are spending countless hours scrolling through endless ingredient lists to spot the most effective and all-natural minimalist skincare formulas, let’s not forget that it’s what’s on the outside that counts as well!
The cosmetics industry is drowning in plastic. Piles and piles of beautifully designed, plastic containers are clogging the landfills. Sometimes, for up to 500 years!
The solution? Investing in sustainable refillable skincare brands of 2024!
Now is the best time to break the plastic packaging cycle altogether and take our sustainable skincare routine to the next level.
With one-time or regular delivery, ethical refillable skincare brands let you replenish the formulas from the comfort of your home.
Plus, the organic skincare is so good, that you’ll want to keep using it forever. Think face oils, exfoliates, treatments, creams, toners, and moisturizers ready to offer mind-blowing results.
Read on to discover more!
What is refillable skincare?
To put it simply, sustainable refillable skincare refers to products that come in eco-friendly containers that can be refilled indefinitely after the initial product has been used up.
Instead of buying a completely new container of the product when it runs out, we can simply purchase a refill packet.
The end goal? To reduce waste by minimizing the amount of packaging used for its product. Because let’s not forget that packaging accounts for 70% of the beauty industry’s waste!
Is refillable skincare more sustainable than plastic?
Without a doubt, refillable skincare is more sustainable than traditional plastic packaging, as it can help to reduce the amount of waste generated by the skincare industry.
Refill pouches generate 99% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 75% less plastic waste than recycled glass containers due to efficiencies created by manufacturing and shipping less material.
Instead of buying a new container of the product every time it runs out, we can refill the existing container with the same formula.
So ultimately, these low-waste skincare products conserve resources by reducing the need for new plastic production and minimizing landfill pull-ups.
Let’s not forget that plastic production requires many raw materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil.
What’s more, it not only takes up to 500 years to decompose but can also leak pollutants into the soil and water.
What is the most sustainable skincare packaging?
Glass, aluminum, paper/cardboard, plant-based plastics, and biodegradable polymers are the most sustainable skincare packaging materials to date.
All of them can break down naturally in the environment, reducing their impact on the planet.
On top of that, they are non-toxic and don’t leach toxic chemicals into the products, which is a potential risk with most plastics.
Here’s a list of refillable skincare brands that use zero-waste and low-waste materials to deliver their organic formulas straight to our doorstep.
Best Sustainable Refillable Skincare Brands Of 2024:
1. Activist Skincare
First up is Activist Skincare — the natural and effective, refillable skincare brand our CEO and founder uses religiously.
Their commitment to clean beauty is seriously impressive.
With pure, plant-based ingredients, their high-performance products are completely free of all nasties like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Plus, they’re 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
What’s more, Activist Skincare knows that eco-friendly packaging is just as important as what’s inside.
That’s why their cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and face oils come in glass packaging and easy-to-mail aluminum containers with minimal plastic.
And when you’re done, simply order a refill pouch to reduce your carbon footprint and combat ocean pollution.
All you have to do is sign up for their customizable refill subscription program to get started. In addition, all formulas are completely natural and organic.
Price Range: From $28+
Discount Code: Use Code SKL15 for 15% Off
Containers: Glass/Aluminum containers, refill pouches
How To Refill: Order a refill capsule through their subscription program (& get a discount!)
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Top Picks from Activist Skincare:
2. Plaine Products
We absolutely love them for their wide range of practical, eco-friendly travel products.
But for most, Plaine Products is one of the best refillable skincare brands for vegan and refillable face washes, moisturizers, beauty oils, and face toners.
The B-certified corp develops products that soften the skin, refine texture, and diminish wrinkles, scars, and fine lines.
And because you’ll love them so darn much, you can easily refill your zero-waste skincare products by ordering a refill bottle and shipping back your empties in the same box.
Of course, they solely offer sustainable refillable packaging of 100% recycled material!
Price Range: From $13+
Discount Code: Use Code SKL20 for 20% off
Containers: Aluminum bottles with reusable pumps
How To Refill: Order refills online through their subscription program
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada & Puerto Rico
Our Top Picks from Plaine Products:
3. Bare LUXE
Bare LUXE’s sustainable refillable skincare products are expertly formulated to help us experience the power of active botanicals without any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
In fact, each blend is a unique mixture of simple carrier oils that work together to target a specific skin concern.
Their lineup includes everything your sustainable skincare routine needs – from cleansers and toners to serums and moisturizers.
All formulas are neatly packaged in recyclable glass vials, which you can easily refill through bareLUXE’s product refill program.
The refill pouches are plastic and fully recyclable! To top it all off, their zero-waste skincare is cruelty-free, vegan, and multiple award-winning.
Price Range: From $42+
Discount Code: Use code SKL15 For 15% Off
Containers: Recycled glass vials
How To Refill: Order refills online
Location/Shipping: Canada, ships to the United States
Our Top Picks from Bare Luxe:
4. Meow Meow Tweet
Known as one of the best refillable skincare brands in the affordable organic beauty market, Meow Meow Tweet is proudly zero-waste, ethical, and super high-performing.
The Leaping Bunny and B-Certified Corporation’s formulas boast certified organic ingredients and natural nourishing oils that hydrate, nourish, and balance the skin, delivering nutrients all while promoting cell regeneration.
Soap, haircare, body care, moisturizers, lotions, oral care – you name it, they have it!
Of course, you can easily restock your zero-waste skincare inventory through their bulk and refill program.
Our Top Picks from Meow Meow Tweet:
Price Range: From $28+
Containers: Glass/aluminum bottles
How To Refill: Order refills online through their subscription program
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
5. Dew Mighty
The USA-based, clean refillable skincare Dew Mighty uses custom-designed plated steel, laser-etched strong aluminum alloy, and natural-based veggie-coated paper to house their natural formulas.
What we love most is that all products are proudly made in California, USA using pure ingredients.
Because they care deeply about quality and results while supporting our Planet, Dew Mightly tries to create multi-purpose skincare products.
Take the first-of-its-kind omega-rich concentrated serum made into a jelly solid, for example.
It’s developed to replace many products and help you adopt a two-step ONLY routine.
Zero waste, natural, and budget-friendly –what more do we need?
Price Range: From $15.68+
Containers: Aluminum containers, FSC Certified natural based veggie coated paper
How To Refill: Order refills online through their subscription program
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
6. Earth Harbor
Earth Harbor is a clean, woman-owned, self-care brand founded by a toxicologist + herbalist on a mission to deliver effective, plant-sourced formulas that don’t put an extra toll on the environment.
The company is also PETA, Leaping Bunny, Climate Neutral, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Think Dirty certified, so rest assured that all products are completely free from synthetic ingredients.
Their sustainable refillable skincare lineup includes hydration creams, gel cleaners, brightening ampoules, peptide serums, eye creams, and many more skin-friendly products.
Plus, instead of plastic bottles, they offer innovative, reusable, recyclable glass dispensers.
Price Range: From $15.20+
Containers: Recycled glass bottles, aluminum & post-consumer resin closures
How To Refill: Order refills online through their subscription program
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
7. The Organic Pharmacy UK
High-performing zero-waste skincare made in London with love? We’ll take it!
The Organic Pharmacy offers a range of refillable skincare products, including vegan and cruelty-free cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, masks, and body care.
Their sustainable skincare is formulated with natural, skin-loving ingredients, such as aloe vera, rosehip oil, and shea butter, to help cleanse and purify the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
The Organic Pharmacy‘s refill pods can be bought separately or as a part of their monthly subscription program that ensures less packaging waste, all while delivering the same clinically proven, high-performance formulations time and time again.
That’s not all! They also have a recycling program, making it easy for customers to dispose of their empty containers responsibly.
Our Top Picks from The Organic Pharmacy:
Price Range: From $60+
Containers: Glass bottles
How To Refill: Orders for refills online or full-up in-store
Location/Shipping: United Kingdom, ships worldwide
This was your full guide to the best sustainable refillable skincare on the market!
No matter your specific skin-related concerns, the best refillable skincare brands are here to offer zero-waste, organic solutions in the most sustainable way possible.
Instead of tossing out empty bottles every time you finish a product, refillable options let you simply top up your favorite creams and serums, cutting down on plastic pollution and carbon emissions.
Plus, it’s budget-friendly too—buying refills often costs less than purchasing a brand-new bottle each time.
This post was graciously sponsored by Activist Skincare. As always, we only work with brands that we stand behind. Would you like to sponsor one of our sustainable round-ups? Contact us here.
If you enjoyed this article, check out these other community favorites below!
- 15 Best Refillable Body Wash Brands For An Eco Lather
- 11 Top Reviewed Non Toxic Skincare Brands for Healthy Skin
- 11 Best Minimalist Skincare Brands To Trust For Healthy Skin
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