Refills: genuinely useful or a marketing angle?

A refill removes the pump and the rigid bottle, which is most of the plastic. Price per millilitre generally drops noticeably.

For a product used daily by several people, the annual saving is far from symbolic.

A bottle refilled without being washed and fully dried can become contaminated. On a rinse-off product the risk is low; on a leave-on treatment, be rigorous.

The simple rule: wash, dry completely, then fill. Never top up over a remaining amount.

A refill sells mainly to a customer already convinced by the product. Displaying it beside the original format, not instead of it, avoids losing the first purchase.

It is also an excellent loyalty lever: the customer returns for the refill rather than trying another brand.