Airless pump bottles are a fantastic way to store skincare, serums, and creams. They protect your product from air exposure, preserve shelf life, and offer a sleek, mess-free experience.
But can you reuse or refill them? Absolutely — with the right technique. Here’s your step-by-step guide to safely and effectively refill your airless pump bottles.
What You’ll Need:
- An empty airless pump bottle
- The product you want to refill (serum, moisturizer, etc.)
- A clean spatula or pipette
- Dawn dishwashing liquid (or another gentle cleanser)
- Isopropyl or Rubbing alcohol and paper towels (for sanitizing)
There are two types of airless bottles:
- Removable top: Some pumps unscrew at the top — perfect for easy refilling. (This is the kind Simple Glow uses, and what we'll be discussing in this article.)
- Piston type: Others push product up via a piston and must be accessed from the bottom.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Clean the Bottle
- Disassemble the airless pump. (The caps screw off on our bottles, in addition to the slip on over-cap)
- Using a toothpick or pipette, push the top of the inner bottle down to the bottom.
- Rinse out the inside with warm water and remove all remaining residue.
- Sanitize all parts with rubbing alcohol and let dry completely.
Step 3: Refill the Product
- Use a pipette or spatula to slowly add your product into the bottle.
- Don’t fill to the very top, leave room for the pump mechanism to reattach.
Step 4: Reassemble the Bottle
- Screw the pump back on tightly.
Step 5: Prime the Pump
- Pump 5–10 times to bring product to the surface.
- If nothing comes out, check the piston position and retry.
Airless pump bottles use the pump on top to raise the bottom surface of the bottle, until product comes out, ensuring formula stays fresh and potent. If after pumping for a while it still isn't working, push the bottom down again, add more product, and try again. If the product is too thick, it may be difficult to use with this bottle.
Pro Tips:
- Always sanitize the bottle before reuse.
- Avoid mixing old and new product.
- Use a label to record the product name and refill date.
Once you've saved and reused your airless pump bottles, you can order refills on your favorite Simple Glow products! Message me for more info now.