(Photo: Dermalogica)
The beauty industry’s toll on the environment is well documented, but what you may not know is that only nine percent of plastic ever gets recycled. Unfortunately, that means the bulk of the beautifully packaged products currently on your bathroom shelves will end up in landfills.
There’s been a big push towards more sustainable beauty options recently, with solid skincare bars and refillable packaging gaining in popularity. And while a switch to refill-friendly formulas isn't going to single-handedly save the planet, every action helps. Bonus: You’ll save a few dollars with each re-up.
Read on for all the deets on the refillable beauty products that are actually worth the splurge.
Deodorant is one of those items that get repurchased over and over again, so switching to a refillable product is a great way to save a few dollars, not to mention cut down on plastic waste.
This solid formula works just like your current go-to. It's housed in a compact stainless steel case that's easy to slip into a makeup bag. I've been loyal to the same deodorant for years, but whenever I travel, this is the one I pack. While it looks small, each refill contains as much product as a regular deodorant.
Perfect for stashing in your purse, the solid version of the brand's delightfully peppery ‘You’ scent comes in a recyclable tin tray that nestles into a luxe metal compact. It's my personal signature scent, and I love having this handy pocket-sized version in my bag for mid-day touch-ups at the office.
The compact is nice and weighty, meaning that can be reused over and over again without falling apart.
I've kept this ultra-nourishing clear balm on hand at all time for years and finished several tubes. It gives me soft, plumped up lips every time. It doesn't leave any greasy residue, so it's the perfect base to keep lipstick from settling into lines and dry patches.
Plus, the refill is $15 cheaper than the original—a steal!
One container of this powdered exfoliant—a cult favourite for its ability to smooth and brighten skin—is sold every four minutes. To lighten its environmental impact, the brand updated the packaging so it can be topped up from a recyclable pouch, which uses 95 percent less plastic than the original packaging.
Customize it to your daily needs by adjusting the amount of water used to make the exfoliating paste. I like a very runny consistency, which works best for my sensitive skin.
This creamy gel cleanser is fragrance-free and packed with oat to soothe and nourish the skin barrier. The rest of the Calm + Restore line is equally amazing, but I especially love the fact that the cleanser comes in top-up pouches that contain 2 refills each. Each refill ends up being about $10.
Refillable skincare is a growing category for a reason—we go through a ton of creams and lotions in a year. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to soothe sensitive skin, this rich moisturizer comes in a sturdy glass jar that can be refilled with a convenient, mess-free pod that's widely available on drugstore shelves.
I love the rich texture of the cream for winter, but I recommend switching to the lightweight gel-cream version during the warmer months.
Shower gel is worth refilling, especially when you can get a good deal. This classic body cleanser comes in a refill size that's the equivalent of two original bottles. It works out to be about $25 per refill.
I've loved this shower oil for years. It ticks all the boxes: It has a lovely (and iconic!) scent, it leaves skin hydrated and it lathers up nicely.
With one of the most aesthetically pleasing reusable pumps on the market, Canadian brand Paume aims to save us from the collection of generic, half-empty hand sanitizer bottles that crowd our bathrooms and entryways—and keep them out of the landfill, too.
If hand washing isn't an option, I love using this sanitizer. It leaves my hands soft and moisturized, and I love the fresh, woodsy scent that includes notes of cedar, citrus, rosemary and lavender.
With its silky finish and lightweight, barely-there feel, this is a blush you'll want to keep in your collection. Whenever I use it, I'm able to skip the highlighter as it provides such a beautiful, luminous glow.
Plus, you have the freedom to switch up shades throughout the year depending on your mood—a perk of investing in refillable makeup. You also save $9 per re-up.
Not only is this hydrating concealer a one-stop-shop to cover dark circles, brighten and even out skin tone, but it also features skincare-worthy ingredients, like vitamin C, squalane and hyaluronic acid. The genius roll-on glass applicator feels lovely in the morning and helps depuff the under-eyes area after a long night.
Instead of throwing it out when you're done, pop in a new cartridge and you're ready to go.
My coloured hair needs a lot of love, and I swear by bond-repair treatments at least once a week. When my hair starts feeling especially dry and brittle, I also swap my daily shampoo and conditioner to repairing options for extra TLC.
I love Amika's The Kure line, which features amino acids-rich vegan proteins and sea buckthorn berry. The conditioner is especially great as it gives a ton of slip for easy brushing and doesn't feel heavy.
Want to treat yourself? Look no further than Guerlain's cult Rouge G satin formula. It's one of Chatelaine's favourite red lipsticks, and for good reason. It glides on like a dream and gives my lips a juicy, plump wash of colour.
The refillable cases are sold separately and adorned with a selection of textures and designs, ranging from embossed leather to velvet houndstooth (my fave!).
This bestselling moisturizer is now available in a new sustainable packaging that can be endlessly refilled with convenient pods. The oil-free formula contains watermelon extract to soothe, hyaluronic acid to draw water to the skin and glycerin to help retain moisture. The lightweight gel-water texture is ideal for combination and oily skin types, and it wears beautifully under makeup.
The brand's Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is also available in refillable jars—I recommend its thicker texture if you're especially prone to dryness and dehydration.
Laneige's Water Bank line is beloved for its gentle hydration and soothing properties. It was recently reformulated to provide even more moisture and now comes in refillable packaging. The gentle formula is made with hyaluronic acid, a peptide complex and squalane for a dewy, plumped-up appearance.
It leaves my skin more hydrated and helps soothe dry, chapped spots.
This rich shea butter concoction is a classic for a reason—it deeply hydrates, without feeling sticky or heavy. According to the brand, its refillable packaging saves 28 tons of plastic per year. The eco-friendly format doesn't make the experience any less luxurious—the aluminum jar is as stylish as the rest of the brand's other products.
I like to slather this on my limbs post-shower, but it also makes a great overnight hand cream.
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