Refillable Cosmetics: The Complete Guide to a Sustainable Beauty Routine
What is refillable cosmetic?
A refillable cosmetic is a beauty product designed to be used multiple times. The principle is simple: you buy a durable container (made of aluminum, glass, or recycled plastic), then you refill it with a cosmetic refill when the product is finished. No more single-use packaging that ends up in the trash after a few weeks.
This system already exists in other sectors. Think of reusable water bottles or refillable coffee capsules. In cosmetics, the logic is the same: separate the container from the content to reduce waste and costs in the long term.
Specifically, a refillable product consists of two distinct elements:
- The applicator or container - made from a solid, durable material, designed to last for years.
- The refill - the product itself (deodorant, lip balm, cream), packaged in minimalist packaging, often made of cardboard or compostable material.
The difference with a classic product? You never throw away the applicator. You only replace the consumable part. It's a concrete, measurable, and above all very practical gesture in everyday life.
Why switch to refillable cosmetics?
Every year, the global cosmetic industry produces more than 120 billion units of packaging, a large portion of which is neither recycled nor recyclable. Single-use tubes, bottles, and jars represent a significant part of this reality. Switching to refillable cosmetics means refusing to participate in this cycle.
But beyond the issue of waste, there are very concrete advantages for you.
Economical: you pay for the product, not the packaging
A refill generally costs between 20% and 40% less than the complete product. This is normal: you no longer pay for the container, labeling, or overpackaging with each purchase. Over a year, with a deodorant you refill every 2-3 months, the savings are significant.
Practical: less space, less waste
Refills take up less space in your bathroom and in your trash. Some are even compostable. Your applicator remains the same; you only change the essential part. It's an optimized system to simplify your routine.
Qualitative: formulas focused on essentials
Brands that offer refillable systems often invest more in formulation. Why? Because the business model relies on loyalty: if the formula doesn't convince, no one will repurchase the refill. The result: more transparent formulas, with certified organic ingredients and short compositions, without unnecessary fillers.
How does a cosmetic refill system work?
The principle varies depending on the type of product, but the logic remains the same: a durable container + an interchangeable refill.
The refillable deodorant
This is the most common example. You use an applicator - often made of aluminum or recycled plastic - into which you insert a deodorant stick or block. When the stick is finished, you replace it with a refill. The applicator itself lasts for years.
At basic., the system is based on the KIIMA applicator, an applicator made from recycled plastic (or cork for the premium version). The refill is a block of natural deodorant, handmade in Lausanne, with certified organic ingredients. The change literally takes 10 seconds.
The refillable lip balm
The same logic applies to lip care. A durable applicator (at basic., the KIIMA lip balm applicator) holds balm refills. You change the care capsule when it's empty. The result: a balm that goes everywhere with you, without generating plastic waste with each use.
Other products concerned
The refillable system is gradually expanding to other categories. Solid shampoos in reusable metal tins, refillable soaps, washable makeup remover wipes that replace disposable cotton pads. The idea is always the same: keep what's durable, replace what's consumable.
basic. refillable products: from deodorant to lip balm
basic. is a Swiss brand of natural cosmetics based in Lausanne. From the beginning, refillable has been at the heart of its model. It's not a marketing add-on: it's the very foundation of the range.
The refillable classic
The signature product of basic. It's a natural deodorant, handmade with certified organic ingredients, packaged as a refill for the KIIMA applicator. The formula is aluminum-free, alcohol-free, certified vegan and cruelty-free by PETA. It lasts all day, even during intense activity.
The pack includes the applicator + the first refill. Then, you only order the refills. The cost per refill is significantly lower than the price of a classic deodorant in supermarkets - and the formula is incomparable.
The refillable lip balm cure
basic. also offers a cure of 2 refillable lip balms. Same philosophy: a KIIMA applicator dedicated to the lips, nourishing balm refills with certified organic ingredients. The cure includes two refills for several months of care.
The complete ecosystem
Beyond refills, basic. offers complementary products designed to last:
- 100g All Type Shampoo - a solid shampoo in a reusable metal tin
- Makeup remover wipe - washable and reusable, it replaces hundreds of disposable cotton pads
- KIIMA deodorant applicator and KIIMA lip balm applicator - sold separately if you already have the refills
Each product is made in Switzerland, in Lausanne. Local production allows for quality control and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport. It's also a choice of transparency: you know exactly where what you put on your skin comes from.
How to choose your refillable cosmetics: 5 essential criteria
Not all refillable cosmetics are created equal. Here are the criteria to check before buying.
1. Container quality
A good refillable applicator should be solid, aesthetic, and easy to handle. Opt for aluminum, glass, or quality recycled plastic. Avoid containers that are too thin or poorly assembled: if they break after 3 months, there's no point.
2. Refill availability
This is the most important point. A refillable product only makes sense if refills are readily available. Check that the brand sells refills separately, at a consistent price, and that it commits to keeping them in its catalog.
3. Refill composition
The refillable system does not automatically guarantee a good formula. Read the INCI list. Look for certified organic ingredients, short compositions, without endocrine disruptors or synthetic fragrances.
4. Local manufacturing
A refillable beauty package made on the other side of the world loses some of its appeal. Prefer brands that produce locally. In French-speaking Switzerland, brands like basic. make everything in Lausanne - from formulation to packaging. In France, brands like Comme Avant or Lamazuna also offer refillable ranges made in France.
5. Certifications and transparency
Look for recognized labels: PETA certification (vegan and cruelty-free), raw material certification, transparency on ingredient sourcing. A brand that clearly displays its composition and manufacturing location deserves your trust.
Refillable vs. disposable cosmetics: the comparison
To clarify, here is a direct comparison between a classic disposable deodorant and a refillable deodorant over a full year of use.
| Criterion | Classic disposable deodorant | basic. refillable deodorant |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging used per year | 4 to 6 full bottles | 1 applicator + 4 to 6 cardboard refills |
| Plastic waste | ~120 g of plastic | ~5 g (refill packaging) |
| Estimated annual cost | 40 to 80 CHF | 30 to 50 CHF (after initial purchase) |
| Formula | Variable, often with aluminum | Natural, certified organic ingredients |
| Manufacturing | Often industrial, outsourced | Artisan, made in Lausanne |
The verdict is clear: in the long run, refillable is more economical, more ecological, and often of better quality.
basic.: a pioneering Swiss refillable brand
basic. did not add refillable products to its range to follow a trend. The brand was created around this idea. Every basic. product is designed from the outset to be refilled, reused, and optimized.
Production is carried out entirely in Lausanne, in small batches. Formulas are developed on-site, with certified organic ingredients selected for their effectiveness. No surplus, no overpackaging, no superfluous marketing.
The brand is certified vegan and cruelty-free by PETA. No basic. product is tested on animals, and no animal-derived ingredients are used in the formulas.
The basic. refillable model is based on the KIIMA system - a universal applicator compatible with different refills (deodorant, lip balm). It's an open system, designed to evolve with new refills over time.
To discover all products, visit the basic. shop or consult our zero-waste bathroom guide.
FAQ - Refillable Cosmetics
What is a refillable cosmetic?
A refillable cosmetic is a beauty product with a reusable container. You buy the applicator once, then you refill it with refills when the product is finished. This is the case for deodorants, lip balms, and other care products offered by brands like basic.
Are refillable cosmetics more expensive?
The initial purchase (applicator + first refill) is often slightly higher than a disposable product. But subsequent refills cost 20 to 40% less. Over a year, refillable products generally end up being cheaper than disposable ones.
How do I change the refill of a refillable deodorant?
It's very simple. With the KIIMA system used by basic., you remove the old empty refill from the applicator and insert the new one. The operation takes less than 10 seconds. No tools are needed.
How long does a refillable applicator last?
A quality applicator (like the KIIMA made of recycled plastic or cork) lasts several years with daily use. There are no wearing parts: as long as you take care of it, it remains functional indefinitely.
What types of cosmetics are available in refillable versions?
Today, you can find deodorants, lip balms, creams, shampoos, and even perfumes in refillable versions. The range expands every year. At basic., deodorants and lip balms are the flagship products of the refillable system.
Are refillable cosmetics really effective?
The refill system does not affect product quality. The formula is identical; only the packaging changes. basic. refillable deodorants use the same certified organic ingredients as if they were in classic packaging. Efficacy depends on the formula, not the container.
Where can I buy refillable cosmetics in Switzerland?
In French-speaking Switzerland, basic. is the reference for natural refillable cosmetics. You can order directly from basic-cosmetics.bio with delivery throughout Switzerland. Physical points of sale also exist in Lausanne and the canton of Vaud.
Refillable cosmetics: a movement accelerating in 2026
The refillable cosmetics market has been experiencing strong growth since 2023. According to industry analysts, the reusable packaging segment in beauty is expected to account for more than 15% of the personal care market by 2028. In Switzerland, the trend is particularly marked: consumers are sensitive to waste reduction and willing to invest in sustainable products.
More and more brands are launching refillable ranges, but not all have the same approach. Some offer refills in plastic packaging almost as bulky as the original - which limits the appeal. Others, like basic., design minimalist refills in cardboard or compostable material, reducing waste by more than 90% compared to the initial product.
The difference also lies in durability. A credible zero-waste cosmetic system means an applicator that truly lasts, accessible refills, and a consistent economic model for the consumer. This is exactly what refillable offers when it is well thought out.
Sources and References
- UNEP (2024) - Global Plastics Outlook: report on plastic waste from the cosmetic industry
- Zero Waste Europe (2025) - Reuse and Refill Systems in Personal Care
- FOEN - Federal Office for the Environment (2025) - Packaging waste statistics in Switzerland
- PETA - Beauty Without Bunnies: database of cruelty-free certified brands
Do you want to switch to refillable cosmetics? Discover basic. products - made in Lausanne, with certified organic ingredients, in a refillable system designed to last. See the basic. shop