A cosmetic eco-refill is a specific type of packaging that allows you to ‘refill’ a primary container, without having to throw it away and buy a new one. In practice: you keep the bottle from your first purchase and, once it’s empty, you buy the product again in minimalist packaging. In other words, your repeat purchase is essentially for the contents, not the container.
Eco-refills: facts & benefits for your beauty routine
Published on: Thursday, November 20, 2025, Updated on: Monday, October 26, 2026
Driven by changing consumer habits and European standards, eco-refills are paving the way for a more sustainable cosmetics industry. Whilst intended to be more responsible, economical and practical, refills nonetheless raise a number of questions and concerns. For in the still-young and fledgling landscape of eco-design, innovation and value creation sometimes go hand in hand with paradoxes and compromises. Whatever your reason for wanting to refill your cosmetics, we’re here to help you make sense of the new world of refillables.
Contents
Related products
Vitamin C 10% & Astaxanthin Serum
Radiant complexion
Antioxidant
£9.00
30 ml
2 options
Hyaluronic Acid 3.5% Serum
Moisturising
Plumping
£6.50
30 ml
3 options
Glycolic Acid 10% & AHA Serum
Exfoliating
Peeling effect
£8.00
30 ml
3 options
Niacinamide 10%, Copper & Zinc Serum
Anti-blemishes
Sebum-regulating
£8.00
30 ml
4 options
Spilanthes & Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Anti-wrinkle
Firming
£13.00
30 ml
What is an eco-refill for cosmetics?
A Note : in English-speaking countries, you’ll come across eco-refills under the name ‘refill’. This term is sometimes used in ‘Frenglish’ as well.
What does a refill look like?
The beauty market is essentially limited to two types of refill. The first is the eco-refill in a flexible pouch, which you simply pour into your bottle. This format is the most common for refilling liquid products, such as shower gels, shampoos or serums. The second is the system designed to be inserted into the original packaging (tub, stick, etc.). This mainly applies to creams and solid products, particularly those in stick form.
3 good reasons to start refilling your skincare products
1. Eco-refills help reduce packaging
As the name suggests, eco-refills (‘eco’ for ‘ecology’) have now become a benchmark in eco-design.
Choosing to refill your product rather than throwing it away and buying a new one gives you the chance to do your bit against single-use items. In doing so, you’re reducing the production of new waste as well as the pollution associated with excessive packaging, production and the transport of new goods.
Made from a single, fully recyclable material, Aroma-Zone’s eco-refills significantly reduce the use of virgin plastic: up to 74 per cent less for a 30 ml serum eco-refill, 65 per cent for a 100 ml serum and 87 per cent for the eco-refill of the 50 ml Unscented Natural Deodorant.
Read also: Cosmetics and waste: how can you easily reduce your impact?
2. It’s a great way to save money
The ‘eco’ in ‘eco-refill’ also goes hand in hand with ‘economical’! Because another advantage of eco-refills is that they’re often cheaper than the original product whose primary packaging you’ve kept.
The reason is simple: the packaging is kept to a minimum, so you’re paying almost exclusively for the formula.
Furthermore, the price per litre is generally better value for larger-capacity bottles. Buying a 1-litre bottle of shower gel will ultimately work out cheaper than buying four 250-millilitre bottles. Large-sized bottles are a good option for large families, who are far less likely to waste the product (particularly by exceeding the best-before date or the use-by date after opening).
3. Refilling your bottles can also be practical
Finally, it’s worth noting that refill packs are handy for everyday use. They’re generally more compact and therefore save space in your cupboards.
Some brands offer subscription schemes so you can receive your refills at regular intervals. The key here is to keep a close eye on your automatic renewals, as the risk of over-consumption and waste is never far away.
To find out more, read our article on the impact of Aroma-Zone eco-refills.
Why aren’t some products refillable?
Whilst it may seem obvious to consumers, making refills available actually poses a challenge for cosmetics brands. Beyond regulatory requirements (the Agec Act, PPWR, etc.), good intentions are sometimes hampered by technical difficulties. An eco-refill is a new product in its own right. This means considering its entire life cycle, from production right through to end-of-life management.
Choice of materials, formula stability, handling, storage and disposal… All these issues associated with bringing a refill to market require significant investment in R&D.
Which Aroma-Zone products are available in refill format?
Nourishing and moisturising facial care products
Youth-boosting face and body cream (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). A 100% natural, certified organic cream with anti-ageing, smoothing and moisturising properties.
Hydrating face and body cream (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). A 100% natural, certified organic cream with refreshing and moisturising properties.
Precious Organic Facial Oil (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). A 100% naturally sourced, certified organic oil with regenerating and anti-ageing properties.
Zinc hyaluronate & plant-based salicylic acid fluid cream (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). This organic purifying fluid cream rebalances, mattifies and moisturises the skin whilst reducing blemishes. Enriched with zinc hyaluronate and salicylic acid, it tackles blackheads, tightens pores, stimulates cell renewal and soothes inflammation.
Discover the Zinc Hyaluronate & Plant-Based Salicylic Acid Light Cream
Rich Vegan Collagen & Spilanthes Cream (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Designed for mature skin, its innovative formula combines firming and lifting vegan collagen, Spilanthes extract with a plant-based ‘Botox-like’ anti-wrinkle and smoothing effect, and plumping and moisturising hyaluronic acid.
Serums
10% Vitamin C & Astaxanthin Concentrated Serum (30 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Ideal for preventing damage caused by oxidative stress, stimulating collagen synthesis, and brightening and evening out the complexion.
Concentrated 10% Glycolic Acid & AHA Serum (eco-refill 30 mL or 100 mL with 100% recyclable packaging). Ideal for a ‘new skin’ effect that smooths the skin’s texture and minimises imperfections.
3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Concentrated Serum (30 mL or 100 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Ideal for plumping the skin’s appearance, firming the facial contours and smoothing out wrinkles.
10% Niacinamide, Copper & Zinc Concentrated Serum (30 mL or 100 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Ideal for reducing excess sebum and preventing blemishes whilst minimising the appearance of redness and dark spots.
Discover the 10% Niacinamide, Copper & Zinc Concentrated Serum
Anti-hair loss hair serum with peptides & pea extract (50 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Ideal for making hair appear thicker, strengthening it right from the root and slowing down chronic hair loss.
Discover the Peptides & Pea Extract Anti-Hair Loss Hair Serum
10% Azelaic Acid Concentrated Serum (30 mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). This concentrated serum, containing 10% azelaic acid of 100% natural origin, is designed for combination, oily and acne-prone skin. It unclogs pores, regulates sebum, reduces blackheads and redness, and mattifies the complexion without drying it out.
Hordatine & Liquorice Extract Anti-Dark Spot Serum (30mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). With dark spots reduced by 90% and visibly lightened*: this clinically proven serum, specially formulated for all skin tones, offers a triple action: anti-dark spot, anti-ageing and radiance-boosting. Its formula combines Hordatine, Niacinamide and Liquorice Extract to target dark spots on all skin types. For a luminous, even complexion.
Discover the Hordatine & Liquorice Extract Anti-Dark Spot Serum
Concentrated Vitamin B12 & Prebiotics Serum (30mL eco-refill with 100% recyclable packaging). Help your skin regain its calm with this high-tolerance serum. Its proven effectiveness immediately reduces all signs of discomfort (redness, tightness, itching) and supports your skin’s future by restoring its skin barrier. Ideal for sensitive skin.
Vegan collagen serum (eco-refill 30 mL or 100 mL with 100% recyclable packaging). Containing 1.5% vegan collagen, this firming, anti-wrinkle serum is ideal for mature and sagging skin. Its biomimetic complex of peptides and amino acids works deep down to promote regeneration, redensification and repair.
Personal care products
Fragrance-free natural deodorant (50 mL eco-refill with recyclable packaging). Its alcohol-free formula, free from palm oil derivatives, prevents unpleasant odours and dampness for 24 hours.
Organic Mint Solid Toothpaste (20 g eco-refill with packaging made from at least 50 per cent recycled material). Its gentle cleansing action helps prevent the build-up of plaque. It freshens the mouth and leaves you with fresh breath.
Palm-free neutral cleansing base (1-litre bottle for easy refilling of your bottles). Formulated without sulphated surfactants, it can be used on its own or blended with essential oils or cosmetic fragrances to cleanse the skin and hair without drying them out.
Make-up
Translucent mattifying compact powder (8.5g refill). An invisible skincare make-up, this powder with hyaluronic acid and rice powder mattifies the skin, absorbs excess sebum, blurs pores and evens out the complexion. For a light, ‘bare skin’ effect on all skin tones.
How do you refill your bottle? A step-by-step guide
STEP 1
Take your empty original Aroma-Zone bottle and unscrew the pump.
STEP 2
There’s no need to wash your bottle between refills.
STEP 3
Open the eco-refill along the pre-marked line using a pair of scissors.
STEP 4
Pour the contents of the eco-refill into the bottle.
STEP 5
Close the bottle by screwing the pump onto the bottle.
STEP 6
Recycle the empty eco-refill in accordance with your local authority’s recycling guidelines.
Precautions for use
When refilling your bottles, put hygiene first. This involves simple steps, such as thoroughly cleaning your old containers (not forgetting the pumps and pipettes). This precaution reduces the risk of cross-contamination between formula residues in the original container (which have often oxidised over time) and the ‘new’ formula from the eco-refill. Similarly, wash and disinfect your hands before refilling the original bottle. This will prevent the transfer of microorganisms in the event of contact with your skin.
Expert advice
If you’d like to make your beauty routine more sustainable, you could also try to reduce your waste. Here’s a simple yet practical example: swap your disposable make-up remover pads for washable ones made from bamboo or organic cotton. To give you an idea, an Aroma-Zone reusable make-up remover pad is designed to last for up to 300 uses. In other words: you’re reducing the amount of rubbish (and saving money) by the equivalent of around 300 traditional disposable pads.
Focus on Our Writer: Hélène Betoux
Hélène Betoux is a French beauty journalist specialising in web media. Every day she writes tips, advice, and guides to help consumers choose the right beauty products. With a strong interest in natural, organic, and clean cosmetics, she analyses and shares trends and innovations in the sector.
Bibliography
FEBEA, Senseva, Cosmetics refills: understanding and overcoming barriers to accelerate consumer adoption,
16 June 2025.
JS, Refills: a promise that’s hard to keep?,
CosmeticOBS, 23 July 2025, online.
Arnaud Le Berrigaud, ‘Cosmetic packaging materials: their recycling and impacts’
in Sandrine Lecointe et al., The Guide to Eco-design in Cosmetics, Eyrolles, 2023, pp. 182–201.
Frequently Asked Questions
Associated tips
Face care tips
