L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty and Aster Pharmacy have joined forces to make refillable skincare easier to find and buy in the UAE, in a move that reflects the growing push for sustainability across the GCC beauty industry.
Laurent Duffier, CEO of L’Oréal Middle East, and N.S. Balasubramanian, CEO of Aster Pharmacy, signed the agreement last week at Aster’s outlet at The Pointe in Dubai Marina.
What the L’Oréal–Aster Refill Partnership Covers
The agreement centres on raising the visibility and availability of refillable products from three L’Oréal brands: La Roche-Posay, Vichy and CeraVe. Instead of buying a full new pack each time, shoppers can top up what they already own, a change meant to make eco-conscious choices part of a regular skincare routine.
Duffier said retail partners are key to turning global sustainability goals into everyday options. A refill, he noted, only works if shoppers can easily find it and understand how to use it.
Refillable Products in Aster’s Top 10 UAE Stores
The roll-out will happen in phases across Aster’s 10 leading UAE stores, starting with high-footfall locations such as Dubai Mall and The Pointe. Through next year, the two companies will work on better stock planning to keep refills visible and reduce wastage. They have also set a target of making 75 per cent of point-of-sale materials eco-designed by 2027.
Upgraded displays and advice from beauty advisors will help customers spot suitable refills and learn how they work.
Consumer Demand for Sustainable Beauty in the UAE
L’Oréal cited YouGov data showing that 66 per cent of UAE consumers prefer brands that prioritise sustainability. The challenge, the company says, is turning that preference into purchases by making alternatives convenient and clear. Duffier said the aim is for shoppers to ask, “Can I refill this?” when a product runs out, without having to overhaul their routine.
Beauty Advisors to Guide Shoppers on Refills
Sanaa Bougazzoul, General Manager of L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty Middle East, said the goal is to make the moment of replacing a finished product simpler, so that a matching refill is easy to spot and understand.
L’Oréal’s advisors will work with Aster’s teams to explain the various refill formats and help customers choose options that suit their current regimen. Bougazzoul stressed that education matters as much as shelf presence, with advisors equipped to answer questions about compatibility, usage and the packaging saved.
La Roche-Posay’s Fight with Care Programme
The partnership also has a community angle through La Roche-Posay’s Fight with Care programme, which supports people affected by cancer. In the UAE, L’Oréal already works with the Al Jalila Foundation, offering skincare and make-up workshops, product donations and guidance on skin-related effects of cancer treatment.
Bougazzoul said Aster’s pharmacies, where people often seek advice and reassurance, could help extend that work into local communities. Specific activities are still being developed.
Part of L’Oréal For the Future
The tie-up falls under L’Oréal for the Future, the company’s sustainability programme covering a product’s journey from transport and packaging to accessibility. Its UAE initiatives include electric deliveries with Mohebi Logistics, biodiesel transport with Aramex, and a donation of 30 Lancôme HAPTA devices to Al Noor Training Centre to support people with limited hand and arm mobility.
Duffier said the company’s approach is to work with local partners so its commitments resonate with regional consumers.
As the industry looks for ways to cut packaging waste, the partnership underlines that sustainable options need to be available, practical, affordable and easy to understand.
