Water is a ubiquitous cosmetic ingredient, and if you look at the ingredients of your favourite products, you'll notice that it's usually near the top of the list, indicating that water makes up the majority of the product. However, waterless beauty and skincare products have been gaining popularity in recent years; keep reading to find out why.
Water-free products can take many forms and serve many functions, but what they all have in common is the absence of H₂O in the formulation. There are several reasons why omitting this universal solvent makes sense and here are our favourite five.
1. Waterless beauty products are easier to package with no plastic
Trying to pursue a plastic-free lifestyle? Avoiding the use of water in your products may be the best option - solid products, such as soap bars, solid balms, or shampoos, do not require bottles and can be easily packaged in cardboard, or even bought 'naked' and unboxed, taking your eco-friendly efforts up a notch to the zero-waste zone. Way to go!
2. Water-free skincare produces less CO₂ emissions
Transporting less water is also good for the environment. Waterless skincare is frequently more concentrated, which means that the same number of toiletries can be much leaner in terms of weight and volume when compared to their watery counterparts, saving fuel for transportation and lowering pollution.
3. Water-free products use fewer preservatives
Cosmetic preservatives are often feared by natural skincare enthusiasts, but they are necessary for product safety. Fortunately, they are only required in water-containing products. This is due to the fact that water provides an ideal environment for bacteria and moulds to grow. If water-rich products aren't properly preserved, they can introduce dangerous microbes into the skin and mucous membranes. Oil-based products, on the other hand, require only antioxidants for cosmetic preservation - ingredients like vitamin E, for example - and these ingredients, rather than being toxic or harsh on the skin, are actually beneficial to the health of the epidermis.
4. Solid-form skincare products are more travel friendly
If you've ever experienced a nasty shower gel spill in your suitcase, you know what we mean. Compact and liquid-free, these clever toiletries are also better suited for taking in hand luggage, where space is limited and the air safety regulations prohibit you from packing anything liquid larger than 100ml.
5. Waterless products feature a higher concentration of the good stuff
Finally, choosing eco-friendly and practical waterless beauty has another significant benefit for you: you get more bang for your buck in terms of actives, botanical extracts, and phytonutrients. Because there is no water, your products are less diluted, and a smaller amount of the formulation typically goes a long way. As a result, waterless products last longer than their water-rich equivalents. For example, we estimate that one Magic Hand Balm will last as long as three tubes of regular hand cream.
We hope we've persuaded you that going waterless is unquestionably the way to go.
You might be wondering why the vast majority of products are still manufactured with water. The short answer is that waterless products use precious (and relatively expensive) oils, butters, and botanical extracts as a base instead of much cheaper water. This can make them appear to be a costly option; however, as the last point above mentions, this is frequently an illusion - you may be able to save money in the long run due to the long-lasting nature of waterless products. And, of course, the planet will benefit as well.