It's Time to Buy into Waterless Beauty
When Europe’s mightiest rivers are reduced to mere trickles and drinking water rationed in some of it’s great cities, it is no longer possible to speak of climate change as an infliction restricted to the worlds poorest nations or as something to experience far in the distance future.
Climate change is here and it’s impacts are very real. But the fight isn’t lost yet. There is something we can all do to lessen its blow and it starts with consumer power.
The idea of making changes can feel overwhelming, however it’s the simple choices we make as consumers that will help fuel the greatest change. The act of choosing one product over another because of its sustainability credentials puts pressure on brands, forcing them to rethink their core values and how their products are made.
The beauty industry is one of the biggest consumers of water, second only to Agriculture, with the average beauty product containing between 60 and 85% of the dwindling substance. Rinse-off products, such as hair care, shower gels or cleansers, are some of the biggest offenders containing up to 95% water.
While carbon offsetting is becoming more commonplace for companies, they are often less conscious of their water consumption. Yet every industry has its renegades and over the last few years year more and more beauty brands have started stepping up to the table, infiltrating the market with a new breed of waterless beauty.
The humble shampoo bar helped lead the way. Once a beauty outlier, today every hair care brand worth its salt offers at least one type of haircare bar. And this is where consumer power comes in. If we want our much loved beauty brands to invest their money into developing a wider range of better quality waterless products, we need to start buying them in the first place.
Of course just because a product says it waterless, doesn’t mean its production methods are. It’s important to consider its overall sustainability credentials. By doing so, not only will we be helping to save water, through reduced levels in the production phase but the overall carbon footprint is also lowered, because water is not having to be trasnsported. They also don’t require as much protective packaging, frequently using more planet friendly alternatives such as cardboard instead of plastic. Just think of how many plastic bottles you would save in a lifetime simply by opting for a shampoo bar instead!
What’s more, waterless beauty products have a longer shelf and less preservatives since they don’t have to worry about the bacteria which can form in traditntal water filled products. This makes them ideal for people with sensitive skin or skin issues. Waterless product can even boost your skin condition. This is because replacing water (which can dehydrate skin) with botanical butters and oils, increases the efficacy of the product, allowing for more deeper hydration. The ingredients are also more concerted as they have not been diluted by water, so your’ll be getting more bang for your buck.
As the saying goes, “What better for the planet, is better for you” and we couldn’t agree more. Keep reading to discover the brands committed to reducing water consumption and the products we love.
Kat Burki
Featuring absolutely no H2O but everything you need to melt away makeup and renews dull skin including the all essential 15% STAY C (Vitamin C) and seven reparative Cold Processed Oils.
We Are Concentrate
Conditioner £14.00
Containing all the actives and benefits traditional of haircare products, We Are Concentrate adds no water in its production process and uses an in-house manufacturing method called a ‘closed loop water system’.
Axiology
The Balmies Lip Cheek and Eye Balm Trio £35
These award-winning, plastic-free, water free Balmie crayons can be used on the eyes, lips and cheeks for a truly versatile, planet friendly makeup look.
Christopher Robin
Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera £16
Ok, so Christophe Robin does use water in some of his other products but credit where credit’s due, and it’s well worth celebrating his eco efforts on this luxuriously hydrating shampoo bar containing a nourishing and clarifying blend of fruit oils, and zero water!.
PÄRLA
Original Toothpaste Tabs
Help save 1.5 billion tubes of single use plastic from landfills this year, by switching to Pärla’s melt in your mouth toothpaste tabs.
KEYS Soulcare
Get glowing skin while saving water with Alicia Key’s luminous exfoliator. Simply sprinkle onto skin and add water to create a moisturising foam that works to gently buff away dead skin cells, revealing a renewed complexion.
Pinch of Colour
The world’s first waterless beauty brand, Pinch of Colour ‘s effortlessly blendable face tint is formulated with itamin E delivers and Shea Butter for added hydration and luminous luminosity.
SBTRCT
It may look small but each bar will last up to 2 months and is jam-packed with brightening vitamin C, nourishing rosehip oil, and skin-healing sea buckthorn oil.
Frances Prescott
Tri-Balm £15
We’ve been using this one for years but only became aware of it’s eco credentials more recently. An all in one solid cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser, containing a blend of botanical oils and pumpkin enzymes, once you’ve tried it there’s not going back.
