What is waterless skincare?
Waterless skincare, often referred to as anhydrous skincare, consists of cosmetics and skincare products that are made without any water. Instead, these formulations rely on various ingredients like plant extracts, oils, and natural humectants to provide hydration and nourishment to the skin.
In other words, what you receive is the product in its finest form, without including anything that you could easily obtain from a tap.
What is a waterless skincare routine?
A waterless skincare routine focuses on products that do not use water as their primary ingredient. This regimen usually includes cleansers, serums, oils, and moisturizers that come in solid, powder, or oil-based forms.
For instance, instead of a traditional water-based toner, you could opt for a facial mist containing aloe vera or a hydrosol. A typical waterless routine prioritizes hydration through the use of oils and balms, while cleansing can be achieved with an oil cleanser or cleansing balm. This method seeks to reduce reliance on water while enhancing the effectiveness of concentrated, powerful ingredients.
Is waterless skincare really better?
Waterless skincare isn’t necessarily “better,” but it does provide distinct advantages that attract some users. By removing water as a main ingredient, these products typically feature a higher concentration of active ingredients, which can enhance their potency and effectiveness.
Moreover, waterless formulations tend to be more sustainable, as they lessen the environmental impact linked to water consumption and the requirement for preservatives. Ultimately, whether waterless skincare is superior depends on individual skin types, concerns, and personal preferences.
Waterless beauty
Waterless beauty is a concept that highlights the development and use of products that do not rely on water as a primary ingredient. This method not only minimizes the environmental impact linked to water extraction and processing but also prioritizes the delivery of products with more concentrated and effective ingredients.
Waterless beauty encompasses skincare, makeup, and haircare items, frequently offered in creative formats such as balms, powders, or solid bars. The movement is grounded in sustainability, striving to conserve natural resources while providing consumers with powerful and efficient beauty solutions.
Your skincare products will not be diluted
Many popular body and skincare products on the market contain as much as 90% water. Essentially, you’re paying for a larger bottle primarily filled with water instead of effective active ingredients.
This practice allows some companies to dilute their active ingredients with water, which can lead to lower prices for their skincare products. While saving money is always appealing, if you end up with a less effective product or find yourself needing to use more to achieve the desired results, it may not be worth the savings.
Benefits of waterless skincare products
Anhydrous products can therefore be:
- Easier to make.
- Cheaper to test because there isn’t the need to do Preservative Efficacy Testing (PET).
- 100% organic – anything containing water can’t be 100% organic, as water cannot be organically certified.
- Quicker, easier and cheaper to get certified for sale (they don’t require challenge/stability tests).
- Attractive to customers looking for 100% natural or organic products, or products that don’t contain a preservative, or concentrated products containing no cheap fillers (water is considered a filler).
- Potentially cheaper to ship – if they are in powder form, with the customer adding water when in use.
Why are people moving towards waterless skincare to help dry skin?
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with applying water to your skin, there are several compelling reasons why many are shifting from water-based skincare to waterless options. This change not only benefits the skin but also supports a more sustainable approach to skincare.
Interested in learning more? Check the moisturizer you’re currently using (or most face creams designed for dry skin) and see if water – listed as ‘aqua’ – is one of the main ingredients.
