Luxury skincare refills: which jars have them and what you save

How luxury refill systems work

A refillable jar has two parts: a decorative outer jar, often heavy glass with a weighted base and lid, and a lighter inner capsule or pod that holds the cream. When the cream runs out, you twist or lift out the empty pod and drop in a new one. The refill comes without the outer jar, so it usually costs less.

Lancome describes the system on its Absolue The Soft Cream listing: twist the empty capsule to the right to release it, insert the new refill, and twist to the left to secure. Other brands use similar twist-lock or press-fit designs. Our Absolue Soft Cream guide walks through the swap step by step.

1. 1

   Open the lid and hold the outer jar firmly.

2. 2

   Twist or lift out the empty inner pod as the brand directs.

3. 3

   Remove any seal from the new pod.

4. 4

   Seat the new pod in the outer jar and lock it in place.

5. 5

   Wipe the outer jar and lid, then close it.

Refills in our guides and what they save

These are the refill listings in our guides, set against the matching full jar where one is listed. Compare per ml; the jar and refill are not always the same size. Run current prices through the price per ml calculator before you buy.

Compare Absolue jars and refills →

Lancome Absolue refills

The clearest saving in our guides is Lancome Absolue The Rich Cream. The jar and the refill are both 59 ml. At listed prices, the refill is $38 less, about 14 percent off the jar price, for the same amount of cream. Over a year of steady use that adds up.

Absolue The Soft Cream is a different case. The jar on our list is 30 ml at $170, while the refill is 59 ml at $242. The refill gives you nearly twice the cream and a lower price per ml, but you need a jar to put it in first. If you are buying Soft Cream for the first time, compare the per ml cost of a jar plus later refills against what you expect to use. Our Soft Cream vs Rich Cream page compares the textures.

Check that the refill matches your cream. A Soft Cream refill is meant for the Soft Cream jar and a Rich Cream refill for the Rich Cream jar. Read the title and the box carefully.

Shiseido and La Prairie refills

Shiseido: the Future Solution LX Total Protective Cream SPF 30 on our list is itself a refill, 50 ml at $276. The Future Solution LX Eye and Lip Cream set includes a refill alongside the cream. Our Shiseido Future Solution LX guide lists both. If you buy only the refill, make sure you have, or also buy, the matching jar.

La Prairie: none of the La Prairie listings in our guides is a refill, and most do not state a size. La Prairie may offer refills for some creams through its own site or counters, so check there for current options. Our why is La Prairie so expensive page covers its pricing.

Augustinus Bader: our guides list jar or bottle formats only. The 100 ml The Cream at $565, about $5.65 per ml, is the lower-cost option per ml compared with the 50 ml size at $315.

Is a refill worth it?

Refills also cut down on packaging, since you reuse the heavy outer jar. Keep the outer jar clean and dry between pods, and write the opening date on each new refill. Our does skincare expire page explains the PAO symbol, and how to store luxury skincare covers storage.

• Yes, if you already own the jar and plan to keep using the same cream.
• Yes, if the refill is the same size or larger and costs less per ml.
• Maybe not, if you are still testing a cream. A smaller jar or a set lets you decide first.
• Maybe not, if the refill is a different size and only cheaper because it is smaller.

Note.Check your local recycling rules for empty pods. Many are made of mixed materials and may not go in household recycling.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Lancome Absolue refill the same cream? The refill listing names the same product, Absolue The Rich Cream or The Soft Cream. Buy the one that matches your jar.

Can I buy a refill without the jar? Yes, but you need a compatible outer jar to use it as designed.

Does La Prairie sell refills? None of the La Prairie listings in our guides is a refill. Check La Prairie's own site for current options.

How do I compare a refill to a jar of a different size? Divide each price by its ml and compare the price per ml. Our price per ml guide shows how.