The beauty industry is undeniably glamorous, but it also generates a staggering amount of plastic waste. With growing awareness, environmentally conscious beauty enthusiasts are shifting their preferences towards sustainable brands—those that prioritise recyclable packaging, ethically sourced ingredients, eco-friendly formulations, and even waterless products.

But there’s one critical question that often goes unaddressed: What happens to the containers once the product is used up? Most of us discard them, unknowingly contributing to the growing mountain of waste clogging landfills and polluting our environment. According to the British Beauty Council, about 95 per cent of cosmetic packaging is thrown away, only 14 per cent reaches a recycling plant, and a mere 9 per cent is actually recycled—the rest ends up in landfills.

Many of us have empty bottles and jars sitting unused on our shelves, not quite ready to toss them but unsure what to do next. Thankfully, a wave of innovative beauty brands—both Indian and international—are answering the call with refillable products that reduce single-use plastic.

Here are 10 forward-thinking beauty brands that are making sustainable beauty accessible this summer:

1. Ayca (India)

Ayca, an Indian wellness brand rooted in traditional remedies, is taking meaningful steps toward sustainability. Their Oudh Wood body wash and hand cleanser come with refill options, perfect for those seeking a sustainable switch without compromising on quality.

2. L’Occitane (France)

Luxury meets eco-consciousness in L’Occitane’s extensive range of eco-refills, available for shower oils, gels, body creams, shampoos, conditioners, micellar water, and more. These refills significantly reduce plastic use and offer the same luxurious experience the brand is known for.

3. Lisa Eldridge (UK)

Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge’s Rouge Experience Refillable Lipsticks are a luxurious yet sustainable alternative. The refill is made of 100% recyclable aluminum and can be swapped easily. As Lisa herself says, “This is an unexpected union of next-generation recyclability and timeless beauty—and for me, this is true luxury.” A bold commitment from a London-based brand known for elegant innovation.

4. Victoria Beckham Beauty (UK)

The Eye Wardrobe Refill System by Victoria Beckham Beauty offers a customisable, magnetic eyeshadow compact that lets you replace individual pans instead of buying a whole new palette.  You purchase a durable, refillable compact separately, and then select your preferred shade refill. To replace a used pan, gently lift it out with a small tool like a paperclip or tweezers, and insert the new refill into the magnetic base. Swap out shades with ease and reduce unnecessary waste—stylish and smart.

5. Lakmé (India)

One of India’s biggest beauty brands, Lakmé is embracing sustainability with its Perfect Radiance Brightening Day Crème Refill Pack. Priced affordably at ₹585 on Nykaa, this smart system lets you keep the outer jar and replace only the inner refill—reducing waste and saving money.

6. Faith & Patience (India)

Known for clean haircare, Faith & Patience offers refill pouches for a variety of shampoos, all priced around ₹550. Their Tahiti Deep conditioner refill is listed on Amazon, though currently unavailable. The brand’s mission is clear: reduce waste without sacrificing hair health.

7. Asa Beauty (India)

A premium Indian clean beauty brand, Asa remains steadfest in its mission of reducing environmental footprint. The brand offers refills for nearly every product in its lineup—from lipsticks and tints to SPF sticks and balms. All refills come in recyclable aluminum, and the brand promotes a simple 3-step refill system. Asa is redefining luxury with sustainability at its core.

8. Kiehl’s (USA)

Kiehl’s offers a 1-litre refill pouch of its beloved Crème de Corps body moisturiser. The refill uses 81% less plastic than the standard 250ml bottle, making it a greener choice for long-time fans. Available on GetUSCart.com for Indian buyers.

9. SUGAR Cosmetics (India)

SUGAR’s popular Power Clay SPF20 BB Cushion comes with a refill option, allowing users to replace the product core while keeping the compact intact. Though currently out of stock on platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa, this step signals the brand’s shift toward a more sustainable future.

10. Plum BodyLovin’

 

 

This Indian vegan premium beauty brand goes the extra mile with its #Empties4Good recycling initiative.  Customers who return any empty Plum bottle receive ₹50 in shopping credit, encouraging responsible disposal and reducing landfill waste.   The brand also offers shower gel refills in fragrances like Hawaiian Rumba and Drivin’ Me Cherry—though these are currently unavailable on major platforms. Still, the effort to promote conscious consumption is commendable.

While refillable beauty is still catching on in India, these brands are proving that eco-consciousness and elegance can go hand-in-hand. Choosing even one refillable product is a step toward reducing your plastic footprint—and shaping a more sustainable beauty future.

Pictures courtesy: asabeauty.com, ayca.in, neimanmarcus.com, loccitane.com, amazon.in, GetUSCart.com,  faithandpatience.co.in, Nykaa.com, lisaeldridge.com, and iSTOCK