🛁 Introduction: The Hotel Room Illusion
Hotel toiletries have always felt like a small luxury. You walk into a hotel room, set your bag down, and scan the bathroom shelf within seconds. Perfectly lined up bottles, labeled (sometimes elegantly), sometimes mounted to the wall.
In many hotels I’ve stayed at, I’ve actually seen hotel-size toiletries with full INCI lists and wall-mounted dispensers that look transparent. And honestly, that’s a step in the right direction.
But lately, I’ve been hearing stories—and seeing a few setups myself—that raise some questions. Bottles with no visible ingredients, pumps with no brand info, systems that could be refilled with anything… and no way for guests to know what they’re using.
It got me thinking:
Even when hotel toiletries look sustainable… are they really? Or are we just comforted by the appearance of eco-friendliness?
This post isn’t a takedown. It’s a deeper look into how hotels are rethinking toiletries—what’s improving, what’s still questionable, and what we, as guests, can do with that information.
📎 And yes, if you’re curious about what I bring instead, stay tuned for my full low-waste travel routine.

🧴 What Are Hotel Toiletries (and Why They Matter?)
When we say hotel toiletries, we usually think of the basics: conditioner, shampoo, body lotion, and maybe a little bar of soap wrapped in too much plastic. And then there are the extras—shower caps, sewing kits, and those impossibly folded bath towels that somehow feel both stiff and fluffy simultaneously.
They might seem small. Disposable, even. But the sheer scale of them? It’s massive.
Hotels go through millions of these items every year. A single large hotel can use thousands of mini bottles in just one month, which doesn’t even count the packaging they come in. Most of those bottles, lids, and wrappers aren’t recyclable, especially when they’re contaminated with products or made from mixed plastics.
And yes, some hotels are switching to dispensers or more sustainable formats. But most properties still rely on individual packaging. Why? Because it’s fast, convenient, and expected.
The real question is this:
If every hotel room in the world offers a fresh set of single-use toiletries to every guest every day… what does that add up to?
📎 Related read: Cosmetic packaging waste — why smaller isn’t always better
♻️ The Rise of Refillable Hotel Toiletries: Progress or Greenwashing?
There’s no doubt the industry is shifting. More and more properties—from boutique stays to the occasional luxury hotel—are phasing out mini bottles and replacing them with wall-mounted pumps. At first glance, this feels like real progress: Less plastic, less waste, and a cleaner visual experience.
But when you look closer, hotel toiletry systems aren’t always as eco-conscious as they appear.
In many hotels, these refillable bottles have no ingredient lists. No brand names. No expiry dates. And that opens up a whole new set of questions: What’s actually in them? Have they been cleaned between guests? Is it even the same product being refilled—or something cheaper?
As Holistisk Hudvård puts it:
“Hotel toiletries without labels are like food without ingredients. Would you trust it?”
According to industry data, the hotel toiletries market is booming—set to hit between $26 and $38.5 billion by 2025 and potentially over $60 billion by 2030. And a large chunk of that growth is happening in the luxury hotel segment, where guests expect both sustainability and premium experiences.
That tension creates the perfect conditions for greenwashing. Refillable packaging looks eco-friendly, but if there’s no transparency—no INCI list, no proof of formulation integrity—it’s just a sleek façade.
Even the Endeavor Czech Hotel acknowledges that toiletries play a huge role in guest perception. “High-quality, thoughtful products leave a lasting impression,” they note. But the presentation isn’t enough. Trust needs to extend to what’s actually inside the bottle.
So yes—refillable formats can be more sustainable. But without regulation or clear labeling, they risk becoming another example of feel-good aesthetics masking deeper issues.
📎 Related post: Recyclable beauty packaging — why it’s not as simple as it sounds

🧠 What the Experts Say
It’s easy to get swept up in pretty packaging or sleek wall dispensers. But once you start listening to people who really study beauty and sustainability, things start to shift.
In a recent episode of the Formula Botanica podcast, the hosts explored how our values around beauty often take a back seat when we travel. That stuck with me.
“We take a break from routines—but not from responsibility.”
It made me rethink my own habits. How often do I grab toiletries set at a hotel and not question what’s in it—just because I’m on the move?
Holistisk Hudvård adds another layer: even guest toiletries that look eco-friendly can hide a lack of transparency. There are no ingredients, no brand, just a clean label and a vague sense that they’re somehow “better.”
And here’s the kicker: more and more hotels are buying toiletries in bulk—which sounds smart, right? Less packaging, less waste. But if those bulk containers aren’t traceable, if no one knows what’s actually being pumped into the bottles in your room, it’s just another version of the same problem.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about packaging. It’s about trust. And that’s something even the nicest bathroom setup can’t fake.
🌍 How Sustainable Hospitality Could Look Like
So, what would a more transparent and sustainable version of hotel toiletries actually look like?
For starters: information.
Imagine walking into your hotel bathroom and scanning a QR code that tells you exactly what’s inside that toiletries bulk dispenser—ingredients, sourcing, expiry dates, the works. No mystery, no guesswork.
Then there’s quality. Instead of the cheapest, generic options, more hotels are now partnering with local and artisanal brands—offering essentials that reflect the destination’s culture and values. It’s not just sustainable—it’s meaningful. You’re not just washing your hands but connecting with the place.
We’re also seeing luxury hotels explore customization and personalization. Think guest-selected scents, in-room product menus, and even engraved refillable bottles. These details not only elevate the experience but also reduce waste from generic, unused items.
Tech-forward hotels are going further—experimenting with skincare analysis apps, smart mirrors, and on-demand product dispensers tailored to the guest’s needs. It’s not mainstream (yet), but it shows what’s possible when sustainability and innovation meet.
And let’s not forget the basics:
Verified refill programs with hygiene transparency
Unwrapped solid soaps and shampoo bars
Ingredient lists, either printed, posted, or digitally accessible.
Sustainable hospitality isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making intentional choices—about what’s in the bottle and who gets to know.

🙋♀️ What You Can Do as a Guest
So where does that leave us—the people actually using these bottles?
The truth is, even the most well-intentioned hotel setup can only go so far without guest participation. But that’s not a bad thing. It means we can actually influence the system—starting with a few small changes.
Here’s what you can do, whether you’re in a vacation rental, a boutique stay, or a five-star property:
Bring your own essentials: A small, curated kit of refillable or solid toiletries saves plastic and ensures you’re using products your skin already loves.
Ask questions: If you notice unlabelled guest toiletries or mysterious refill bottles, ask the front desk what’s inside. The more we ask, the more hotels pay attention.
Leave feedback: A kind, specific comment in your post-stay review can go a long way. (“Loved the refillable setup—would be even better with an INCI list!”)
Donate what you won’t use: If you do end up with extra products, don’t let them sit in a drawer. Organizations like St. Vincent de Paul accept unopened essentials like mini shampoos, soaps, and lotions. These items are redistributed to individuals experiencing homelessness—offering dignity and hygiene support through something as simple as a bar of soap.
Sometimes, making a difference is less about perfection and more about intentionality. As guests, we have more power than we think.
📎 Related: Read what I actually packed for my last low-waste trip
🧼 Do You Really Know What You’re Using?
Here’s the thing: just because a bottle is mounted on the wall doesn’t mean it’s sustainable or even safe.
And just because a conditioning shampoo smells like eucalyptus doesn’t mean it’s clean, kind, or cruelty-free.
We’ve been taught to trust whatever’s in the bathroom without asking too many questions. A labeled conditioner? Great. A refillable body wash? Cool. But unless we know what’s in the bottle, how it got there, and who’s behind it—we’re trusting blindly.
Hotel toiletries aren’t just extras. They’re part of a much bigger conversation about transparency, impact, and intention. Even the smallest products we use—especially the ones we barely think about—carry weight.
So next time you walk into a hotel bathroom, ask yourself:
Would I choose this at home?
Do I know what I’m using—or have I just assumed it’s fine because it’s there?
🧴 Small bottles. Big questions.
📣 Tell me—do you bring your own toiletries when you travel? Would you consider switching to solids or refillables you actually trust?
Thanks for reading and caring about your skin, choices, and the planet.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware.
See you in the next post,
and until then, stay curious (and kind to your conditioner). 😉
Kristina 🌿