A Reddit user has revealed a nifty hack to get the most out of bottles of moisturizer—and the internet is loving it.
Redditor u/crazycockerels shared their trick in the subreddit "frugal," explaining how they cut the tops off eight nearly empty bottles of cocoa butter moisturizer and scraped out the remaining product, filling almost an entire container. The post quickly racked up over 8,000 upvotes.
"Almost a full bottle of body lotion, that I scraped out of my empties..." they wrote, serving as a reminder to consumers to check their empties before buying new product.
In a follow-up comment, the original poster explained that they save up empty bottles until there's enough to fill a good-sized tub, noting, "It saves cutting an empty bottle each time. I actually prefer using the lotion out of the tub too."
Expert Insight
Gabby Shacknai and Zoe Weiner, cofounders and co-CEOs of the sustainable beauty retailer Beautyfor, told Newsweek that many beauty brands prioritize aesthetics when it comes to packaging, which can lead to waste.
"We see firsthand just how many different types of beauty waste exist on both the consumer and manufacturing sides—and this is one kind of waste we don't talk about enough. It's especially frustrating when you consider that packaging has to be totally clean and separated to be properly recycled," they said.
They cautioned that while scraping is an effective way to prevent waste, hygiene is key. Cutting into packaging can expose products to bacteria or fungi, especially if ingredients like vitamin C are involved, which degrade when exposed to air and light. Consumers should sanitize tools and transfer any salvaged product into a sealed container immediately to avoid contamination.
Shacknai and Weiner added that product waste is an often overlooked contributor to environmental harm.
"Whether it's the couple of uses-worth of lotion hiding at the bottom of a container or the tens of thousands of brand new, totally full products that end up in landfills each year, it's increasingly important that both consumers and brands do everything they can to prevent their beauty products from adding to this type of waste."
They recommended flexible tubes, jars, or clear packaging for easier use, and reminded consumers to rinse and sort packaging components before recycling.
Sarah Tan, founder of clean beauty brand By Kind, echoed these concerns with Newsweek.
"Many traditional lotions are formulated with thick emollients that cling to packaging walls, especially in pump bottles where the tube doesn't reach every last drop," she said.
Tan offered a few practical tips: store bottles upside down, cut open tubes, and use beauty spatulas to retrieve leftover product.
She also advocated for waterless formulas like powder cleansers, which reduce waste, packaging bulk, and the need for preservatives. "Scraping and repurposing skincare is part of a growing shift toward conscious consumption," she said.
Reddit Reacts
The post sparked a wave of appreciation, suggestions, and jokes.
"I can't believe it's not butter," one user quipped, referencing the tagline for margarine brand Flora.
Another suggested: "Just an idea (take it or leave it ofc): You could transfer it to the tub straight away after buying a bottle so you can 1) enjoy your preferred method of use more frequently, and 2) not have to hoard empty lotion bottles."
"As a fellow cocoa butter connoisseur... have you tried the value size? Really is the best," another chimed in.
"Fellow Palmer's lover, I have found my people. I live in a dry climate and that shit is a lifesaver," added one more.
Newsweek reached out to u/u/crazycockerels for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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