Not letting the tap run for too long and making sure the dishwasher is full before turning it on are two sure-fire ways to reduce water consumption, but did you know you can also cut down when it comes to your skincare routine?
Enter: waterless beauty products, a growing trend of cosmetics for environmentally-conscious consumers.
“Waterless products come with less packaging and a lower shipping weight therefore releasing less carbon throughout the supply chain. They also don’t go off so there’s less wastage,” Alexia Inge, founder of Cult Beauty, tells HuffPost.
You might have never thought about it but water is used as a base in a huge percentage of products. “It’s cheap, plentiful, causes very few sensitivities and doesn’t clash with or counteract other ingredients,” Inge explains.
So what is being used in water’s place? It depends on the product, really. According to Inge says aloe vera is a go-to base in ‘wet’ products, while other brands are beginning to use oils and dry or powdered formats.
So to help you get started in reducing your water consumption, these are the waterless products worth embracing into your beauty routine.
Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, John Lewis, £18
Unlike the gloopy, serum-drenched sheet masks you may have tried, this one is completely dry. Claiming to mimic a skin smoothing and brightening facial, it’s rich in vitamin B3, peptides and crocus bulb extract that’s designed to encourage collagen production and maintain your skin’s elasticity. It stays fitted to your face using the ear loops that you can fasten and it can be re-used up to three times.
Buy it here.
American Cream Naked Shower Gel, Lush, £8.95
An industry leader in environmentally conscious skincare, Lush has taken it up a notch, creating a ‘Naked’ range that’s entirely free of packaging. They did this by removing water from formulas so formerly liquid products such as cleansers and serums, became solid bars, and as a result are fresher than ever. This strawberry and vanilla solid shower gel lathers up into a foam when run under water and will leave your skin silky soft and most importantly, clean. Trust us, we’ve tried it.
Buy it here.
Frances Prescott Tri-Balm, Cult Beauty, £46
This cruelty free, multi-purpose product combines your skincare routine into one travel-friendly stick balm. It was created by makeup artist Frances Prescott as a solution to the difficulties makeup artists had when travelling round the world with their kit and still keeping the skin of their clients in tip top condition.
As someone who is already on her second stick, it removes a full face of makeup with ease, while the pumpkin enzymes gently exfoliate and the hyaluronic acid hydrates like your moisturiser would. Stop decanting your creams into tiny jars and instead pick up this.
Buy it here.
The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum, Cult Beauty, £7.99
The Inkey List are less than a year old but are already creating waves in the beauty industry for low prices, advanced formulas and simple approach to skincare. If you like The Ordinary, you’ll love this little brand.
The waterless 30% vitamin C serum is created to reduce the effect of environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays while evening out skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. Use a pea sized amount and apply to skin after cleansing and follow with your moisturiser.
Buy it here.
Whamisa Organic Flowers Water Cream 50ml, Whamisa, £32.30
Much of the waterless beauty trend emerged from Korea and this cult product is one of the best you’ll find from the Asian continent. It’s a lightweight cream made with natto gum, a humectant derived from fermented soybeans, to hydrate with rice and aloe taking the place of water. It’s suitable for all skin types and should be applied as the last step of your skincare routine.
Buy it here.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension Cream 30% in Silicone, Look Fantastic, £5.80
This serum is packed with antioxidants that promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration. It not only doesn’t contain water, you’ll also find no alcohol, oil, nut, gluten and soy in it either. The Ordinary claims it will tingle upon application and if that bothers you, it can be diluted by adding it into your moisturiser for a less intense feel.
Buy it here.
Rosehip Biogenerate Oil, Pai, £24
Looking to brighten dullness, reduce the appearance of fine lines and balance sensitive skin? This is the oil for you. Enriched with rosehip fruit and seed oil, it’s luxurious looking, but jam packed with goodness that’s designed to protect your skin from environmental aggressors like those pesky UV rays and of course, pollution.
Buy it here.
Dermalogica Ultracalming Barrier Repair, Look Fantastic, £41
Sensitive skin experts Dermalogica, have created this waterless moisturiser that’s by no means any less hydrating. As part of their Ultracalming range, which is all about reducing inflammation, it is designed to strengthen your sin’s natural lipid barrier, which protect it from just that. In it you’ll find primrose oil, shea butter and emollient silicones, which intensely hydrate while giving your face a velvety feel.
Buy it here.
Skin Purifying Mud, Isla Apothecary, £30
This multi-tasking mask doubles up as both a gentle exfoliator and purifying mask. Infused with raspberry leaf, yarrow, rosehips and lemon balm, it promises to manage inflammation, absorb excess oil and give your skin a really good deep clean. The powder formula is recommended to mix with equal parts water, to create a paste, and then leave on skin for 10 to 15 minutes while it works its magic.
Buy it here.
Columbian Rush Coffee Body Scrub, Natural Spa Factory, £25
For when a loofah simply won’t do, reach for this body scrub that promisies to leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple. Get your caffeine fix too, as the main ingredient is Columbian coffee beans, blended with green cardamon and bitter chocolate. Apply to damp skin and massage across your body before rinsing it off.
Buy it here.