In 2021, sustainable beauty isn't just a trend: It's a full-on movement. And while safe, clean formulas and ethical business practices are as important as ever, when it comes to packaging, it's what's on the outside that counts, too.
We've talked about going plastic-free and have shared our know-how when it comes to recycling your empties, but what about products that break the bottle cycle altogether? "Currently it's a battle between sustainability and the most effective packaging for the product, and price," Follain founder and CEO Tara Foley tells Refinery29. "Face serums and moisturizers are a great example: The best packaging to protect the formula is an airless pump, but that format is more difficult to recycle than a jar." The solve — investing in ways to responsibly dispose of hard-to-recycle items through brands like TerraCycle, who has partnered with Follain since the beginning.
Presenting, the very best beauty products from body wash to lipstick to liquid eyeliner that are helping the green cause by reducing waste — and looking good doing it.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash Refillable Glass
Ditch the plastic bottle with this cedarwood oil-infused body wash that comes in a refillable glass bottle. Jumbo-sized refill bottles let you replenish the goods from the comfort of your home.
Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash Refillable Glass, $, available at Bathing Culture
Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash One Gallon Refill, $, available at Bathing Culture
Beautycounter The Clean Deo
Beautycounter's new refillable deodorant is so beautifully designed, you'll want to keep using it forever. Plus, the vanilla and sandalwood scent is nothing short of dreamy.
Beautycounter The Clean Deo, $, available at Beautycounter
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Body Lotion
If you swear by the apothecary brand's beloved body lotion, good news: You can ensure you never run out with an economical one-liter refill pouch.
Kiehl's Creme de Corps, $, available at Kiehl's
Kiehl's Creme de Corps, $, available at Kiehl's
Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer with Skin-Smoothing Peptides
Tata Harper's green jars are synonymous with clean, luxe skin-care. Now, they're entering the refillable game with their peptide-infused moisturizer.
Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer with Skin-Smoothing Peptides, $, available at Sephora
Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer with Skin-Smoothing Peptides, $, available at Sephora
Follain Refillable Everything Soap
Use it H2T, on Fido, or even as a mild dish and laundry detergent: Follain's refillable liquid soap is gentle on skin, but tough on everything else. "It was important to launch our business with this, so long ago - at a time when people weren't really considering clean ingredients as much as they are today," Foley says. "Liquid soap is the fastest-moving personal care product because everyone uses it, and we all use it many times throughout the day." Follain's Everything Soap is available in two invigorating scents — Lavender and Lemongrass — and if you go to the store, you can combine the two for a mind-blowing result.
Follain Refillable Everything Soap, $, available at Follain
Calling all cat lovers: Paul & Joe's makeup line creates some of the coolest refillable lip products around that also happen to be shaped like a feline friend. Plus, the vintage-inspired cases feel like the coolest beauty heirloom.
Paul & Joe Lipstick SPF 25 Clear UV, $, available at Beauty Bay
Paul & Joe Lipstick Case CS, $, available at Beauty Bay
Myro Refillable Deodorant
Skin care, makeup, now natural deodorant? Myro's Beauty Innovator Award-winning refillable deo stick checks off all the boxes: Non-hideous packaging, no aluminum, and refills that are just $8.
Myro Deodorant Kit, $, available at Anthropologie
Surratt Auto-Graphique Eyeliner
Yes — the $42 price tag is a lot, but once you try Surratt's artist-favorite liquid eyeliner, you'll be hooked for life...which luckily, isn't as wasteful as you might imagine, given the fact that you can pick up refill barrels of inky black pigment for under $20.
Surratt Auto Graphique Liner, $, available at Space NK
Surratt Auto Graphique Liner Refill Cartridge, $, available at Space NK
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush
Danish makeup brand Kjaer Weis was an early adopter to luxe, refillable cosmetics, and the Cream Blush is truly as good as it gets — which is why you're lucky if you can snap it up while it's in stock.
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush, $, available at The Detox Market
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Refill, $, available at The Detox Market
L'Occitane Almond Shower Refill Duo
If you know someone (maybe that person is you!) with a soft spot for fancy French body lotion, then this nourishing shower oil (which comes with a 16.9fl oz pouch refill) will make for an amazing treat-yourself gift.
L'Occitane Almond Shower Refill Duo, $, available at L'Occitane
Guerlain Rouge G Customizable Lipstick
Is it a lipstick, or an objet d'art? Leave it to Guerlain to make refillable beauty devastatingly chic with lipsticks that are buttery-soft and totally customizable with your choice of lipstick case (with a hidden mirror, BTW).
Guerlain Rouge G Customizable Lipstick, $, available at Sephora
Guerlain Rouge G Customizable Lipstick Case, $, available at Sephora
