Written by Lee Kynaston in Grooming on the 12th October 2021

The global pandemic has taught us many things (not least how difficult it is to execute a DIY haircut) but it also appears to have made us more environmentally-aware, with a recent Gillette survey revealing that men care more about sustainability than ever before, with 58% of us citing plastic waste as a major concern. Given that over half a billion shampoo bottles are thrown away every year in the UK alone, these concerns are certainly well founded. The good news is that everyone from Head & Shoulders to Louis Vuitton are now taking sustainability seriously, with a raft of refillable and reusable products now available. Fancy being part of the refill revolution? Here are 10 products that will give your grooming kit an upgrade and help you do your bit for the environment in the process. 

MANTL No-Shine Sheets 

Part of Queer Eye presenter Karamo Brown’s debut grooming range, these No-Shine Sheets – made from renewable bamboo charcoal and wood fibers – are brilliant for keeping your pate shine free if you’re a proud baldy, but are also great for mopping up excess oil around the T-zone. The discreet, pocket-sized dispenser is refillable, ensuring you’ve always a solution to oil slick skin. 

mantlemen.co.uk

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Reusable Bottle 

Head & Shoulders Anti-dandruff shampoo has been a no-frills grooming staple for years and few alternatives beat it for efficacy and value-for-money. If you’re a fan you can now help save the planet whilst saving your scalp with their refill pouches, which use 60% less plastic than bottles. Use in tandem with their refillable aluminium bottle or simply straight out of the pouch. 

amazon.co.uk

Proverb Natural Refillable Deodorant 

Winner of ‘Best Refillable Self-Care Product’ in the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards, Proverb’s clever refillable deodorant solves the problem of what to do when your deo stick comes to an end. Instead of tossing it away and buying a replacement you simply buy a paper-wrapped refill and pop it into the existing case and twist away. Vegan-friendly, aluminium free and available in different strengths (Active, Core & Sensitive) and scents (Wild Mint & Eucalyptus is especially good) they’re a brilliant way to apply fresh thinking to your grooming regime as well as freshness to your pits. 

proverbskin.com

Hawkins & Brimble Eco-Refillable Energising Body Wash 

As well as being superb value-for-money, smelling great (think fresh, piney and lemony), energising (that’ll be the ginseng) and being good for skin (thank you Aloe Vera), Hawkins & Brimble’s Energising Body Wash recently got a whole lot better thanks to the availability of a 300ml refill pouch, which you team with a reusable aluminium pump dispenser. Refills are also available for their Nourishing Conditioner and Revitalising Shampoo and the spout-free pouches are 100% recyclable. 

hawkinsandbrimble.co.uk

King Of Shaves Advanced Sensitive Refillable Shave Oil 

As well as allowing you to see where you’re shaving (handy if you want to create sharp lines around facial hair) shave oils are great for providing extra lubrication when used under shave creams and make great beard oils too. King Of Shaves pretty much created the shave oil market in the UK when they launched back in 1993 and, in a timely update, their Advanced Sensitive Shave Oil now comes in a refillable aluminium pump container with refill pouches that use up to 84% less plastic. A similarly refillable version of their Sensitive Shave Gel is available too. 

kingofshaves.com

men-ü Matt Moisturiser Refill Kit 

One of the best grooming brands for refills and ahead of the eco-conscious curve by several years, men-ü’s products have also tried to reduce plastic – first by producing ultra-concentrated products and then by adding refills to their range. Pretty much all their core products are available with refills but especially good is their lightweight, fragrance-free Matt Moisturiser which hydrates while reducing oil, to leave skin conditioned and shine-free. Since it’s ultra-concentrated, a little goes a long way but makes a big difference. 

amazon.co.uk

Bluebeards Revenge Post-Shave Balm Refill Pouch 

One of the most progressive grooming brands when it comes to sustainability, Bluebeards Revenge already offer a raft of refillables including a Face Scrub, Cooling Moisturiser and Deodorant, while many of their products come in recyclable aluminium or glass jars too. If you’re a regular shaver (or manscaper) their generously-sized 500ml Eco Refill Post-Shave Balm will certainly come in handy and can be used to top up an existing jar or straight out of the bag. Fragranced with vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli it smells great too. 

bluebeards-revenge.co.uk

Louis Vuitton Météore eau de parfum 

There’s a common misconception that luxury brands find it hard to ‘do’ sustainability but proof that this isn’t the case comes in the shape of Louis Vuitton’s top end fragrances, all of which are now refillable. Part of the company’s overall commitment to sustainability (they’re aiming to use 100% responsibly sourced raw materials by 2025) each fragrance can be refilled at stores equipped with a delightfully named ‘perfume fountain’. Given a 100ml bottle of Météore (a superbly fresh aromatic citrus fragrance aimed at men) costs £200 and a refill £130, it’s a great money-saver too. Refillable versions of less spenny scents like Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel, Hermes’ iconic Terre d’Hermes and Jean Paul Gaultier’s brand new Scandal Pour Homme are also available. 

louisvuitton.com

Lab Series refillable ANTI-AGE MAX LS Serum 

Recently repacked and rebranded, iconic men’s skincare brand Lab Series doesn’t just look different – it’s approach to sustainability is different too. Conscious of how customers’ expectations are changing, both tubes and boxes now incorporate recycled materials while refill cartridges are available for products in its luxury MAX LS range. Definitely worth investing in is the Anti-Age Serum - a lightweight, high-tech serum used under your moisturiser which is designed to increase skin elasticity, minimise fine lines and firm sagging skin. Think of it as an insurance policy against fine lines and wrinkles. 

escentual.com

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 

The hero of Dermalogica’s line up (one is sold every 45 seconds) this ultra-fine cult exfoliator is made of rice powder and activates on contact with water, releasing a raft of beneficial enzymes that help smooth skin and loosen dead cells. Gentle enough for daily use, it’s perfect for skin maintenance or for prepping skin prior to shaving. The fact that it is now available as a refill, using 92% less plastic, 95.6% less oil and producing 95.7% fewer greenhouse gas emissions is the icing on the cake. 

amazon.co.uk

A look at the Refillable Products offered by Lab Series, Head & Shoulders, Proverb, Hawkins & Brimble, King Of Shaves, men-ü, Bluebeards Revenge, Louis Vuitton, MANTL, and Dermalogica.