We love how beauty brands are stepping up their sustainable practices by incorporating refillable packing to reduce plastic wastage.
As consumers, we’re particular about the food we eat and the products we use. Many of us are purchasing clean beauty products sans the nasties and consuming vegan food, but how about the things we leave behind on our planet?
As beauty junkies, sometimes we’re guilty of purchasing an item we already own just for its “exclusive new packaging”. But did you know it’s bloody hard to recycle plastic? According to a 2019 article by National Geographic, less than 10% of plastic – out of the seven billion tonnes – is recycled. The rest? Sloughing away in landfills as plastic takes over 400 years to decompose.
Luckily, more beauty brands are veering towards minimal and recyclable packaging. The beauty industry has opened its eyes to these effects, giving us options to purchase refillable packaging in efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
Refillable beauty products that are kind to the planet
1. L’Occitane
L’Occitane wowed us with the launch of the first recycling program in Singapore to accept empties from any beauty brand. Today, the sustainable brand continues to shine with its eco-refills. These packets are made from 100% recycled plastic and can even be recycled again once you’re finished with them. Just wash and dry the empty eco-refills and drop them off at L’Occitane’s recycling stores.
Purchase eco-refills for shampoos, liquid soaps, body moisturisers, shampoos, conditioners, and face cleansers. Refills go up to 500ml for $47 (shower gels) and 300ml for $65 (cleansing foam). Up to 121,000kg of plastic packaging is saved yearly! And yes, refilleries are also available at selected stores.
L’Occitane, available online and at multiple locations including Ion Orchard and VivoCity
2. Glow Recipe
Raise your hand if you go gaga for Glow Recipe’s clean, fruit-powered skincare. As part of its Growing for the Planet environmental pillars of eco-conscious packaging, clean ingredients and sustainable resourcing, and a carbon neutral pledge, its latest launch comes with a sleek refill pod. The soothing Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is made with all parts of the antioxidant-rich and nutrient-packed Kakadu plum, Illawarra plum, and Burdekin plum to reduce waste. Once you’ve finished the jar, pop out the old insert and refill it with the new one. These refillable inserts ($33) are made with 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, which is said to be more sustainable than glass in the long run.
Glow Recipe, available at Sephora
3. Fenty Skin and Fenty Beauty
Fenty Skin and Beauty continues to be earth-conscious by introducing more refillable items with every product launch – the latest being the viral Fenty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick. The fill and case are sold separately at $34 and $20 respectively. And fans of Fenty Skin will already know about the refills for the day and night moisturiser ($106 for both), Hydra Vizor sunscreen ($59), and Butta Drop body cream ($66). You can recycle both the inner containers and refills.
Fenty Skin and Fenty Beauty, both available at Sephora
4. Hourglass Cosmetics
Did you know: this luxury beauty brand, which makes us sparkle like a diamond with its iconic highlighter palettes, has made multiple sustainable efforts since its launch in 2004. The 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand continues to decrease its single-use plastic footprint by introducing a customisable Curator Eyeshadow in 2021 (to encourage the use of refills instead of buying a new palette). The sleek refills for Confession Ultra Slim Lipstick ($60) come in all 30 shades so you can change up your colours without having to purchase a new one.
Hourglass Cosmetics, multiple locations including Sephora and Tangs
5. Ouai
Ouai’s shampoos and conditioners come in refill pouches at nearly one litre (from $89). If you’re not particular about packaging, purchase these refill pouches and top up the product in one of your old bottles. Just remember to wash the bottle thoroughly, wait for it to dry, and it’s as good as new.
Ouai, available at Lookfantastic
6. Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury’s skincare holy trinity – the Magic Cream ($325 for refill), Magic Eye Rescue ($100) and Magic Night Cream ($190) – has recently been made refillable and recyclable too. The pop, lock and go method allows you to seamlessly change the refill and keep the gorgeous glass jars forever.
Charlotte Tilbury, available at Sephora
7. Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr
Reduce waste and save some $$$ with Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr’s Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream ($66 for 15ml) and Turmeric Glow Moisturiser ($70 for 50ml) refill pods. The glass jars with elegant gold and pink covers are absolutely gorgeous so you’ll find no reason to throw them away soon. Reap the benefits all over again by purchasing the refill pods.
Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr, available at Sephora
8. Shiseido
With makeup refills and cases – we’re talking foundation ($65), cushion compact ($55), pressed powder ($70) and cream refills ($75) – Shiseido makes us come back for more. Buy a few in advance (within reason, of course) so you’ll never run out of your favourite products.
Shiseido, available online and at multiple locations including Ngee Ann City, Junction 8 and Tangs at Tang Plaza
9. Don’t forget the refilleries
The Body Shop has refill stations across 400 of its stores worldwide and will be increasing the count over the next year. Simply walk over to one, pick up an aluminium bottle and fill it with your favourite refillable shower gel, hand wash, shampoo or conditioner. Once you’ve used the bottle, give it a good rinse, dry it nicely and bring it back for another round of refill. By doing so, you can save over 25 tonnes of plastic per year. That’s the weight of 21 Mini Coopers for you!
It’s the same concept at the refilleries at The Social Space and Oasis Beauty Kitchen. Aside from refillable liquid shampoo that you can buy in bulk, Oasis Beauty Kitchen also has vegan cleaning supplies. The Social Space’s refillable body wash, hand wash, shampoo and conditioners go up to 2 litres – a great way to regulate your usage.
Give your beauty products a new lease of life and save the planet one step at a time by making the switch to refillable beauty products.
