Water is often the first ingredient listed in many skin, body, and hair care products. We usually overlook its presence because it is a fundamental component in cosmetics, serving multiple purposes. It combines with other elements to create smooth moisturizers and serums that are easily absorbed by the skin.

The concept of waterless beauty, which means 'without water,' has gained popularity in recent years. Waterless formulations are part of a broader movement aimed at creating concentrated products with more active ingredients. These products not only reduce water usage during manufacturing but also lower carbon footprints due to their lighter weight and decrease excess packaging waste and plastic use.

According to the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE), the average beauty product contains between 60% to 85% water, with even higher percentages in rinse-off products like shampoo and conditioner. Clean water is a finite resource, with approximately 4 billion people worldwide experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month each year (UN Water). The Carbon Disclosure Project ranks the water impact of personal care and household products as critical, indicating the cosmetics industry's significant environmental footprint.

By eliminating water from beauty product formulations, we can achieve positive environmental effects and contribute to a larger cause for our planet. The following brands are committed to creating better value for consumers while reducing their water usage and overall environmental impact:

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1. Seadrop Skincare

Instagram | @seadropskincare
Based in | United States

Seadrop Skincare is reinventing skincare with their waterless facial cleanser tablet that activates with tap water. Seadrop’s waterless cleanser comes in zero-waste, refillable packaging for skincare that's cleaner for both the planet and your skin. Seadrop is AAPI and woman-owned, and the brand is Leaping Bunny certified, cruelty-free, vegan, and 100% zero-waste.

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2. Susteau

Instagram | @susteauofficial
Based in | United States

Susteau's innovative powder shampoo is activated in the shower with just a small amount of water. 1 Bottle of Susteau is the equivalent of 4 bottles of an 8oz liquid bottle. The bottles are made with over 95% ocean-bound, recycled plastic. Susteau also partners with Pact's Mail Back Collection Program to work toward reducing packaging waste in the beauty industry.

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3. PLUS

Instagram | @cleanwithplus
Based in | United States
Certifications | Leaping Bunny, 1% for the Planet

PLUS creates no-bottle, single-serve, and waterless body wash sheets in a 100% dissolvable sachet without fillers, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. Their products emit 80% less carbon during shipping compared to liquid wash products. PLUS body wash sheets can also be used with the refillable container made with 50% post-consumer recycled plastic to reduce single-used plastic waste.

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4. Loli Beauty

Instagram | @loli.beauty
Based in | United States
Certifications | MADE SAFE

Loli Beauty uses certified organic ingredients from local, small farmers or suppliers that are fair trade, non-GMO, waterless, and upcycled from food for zero waste. They are a member of Made In A Free World, a tech platform that helps assess risk of people trafficking in supply chains. Loli's unique masks and scrubs in powder form give the products a longer shelf-life and makes it easy to control the amount of product you use each time.

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5. Everist

Instagram | @helloeverist
Based in | Canada
‍Certifications | 1% for the Planet

Everist hair and body products are waterless concentrates that are three times more concentrated than most products. They use biodegradable and clean plant-based ingredients in 100% plastic-free recycled and recyclable packaging. Everist's CapBack program ensures that the caps from their tubes are recycled and reused. They also reevaluate their process on a quarterly basis, making sure that their operations are up to date and as sustainable as possible.

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6. B.O.B Bars Over Bottles

Instagram | @barsoverbottles
Based in | Brazil
‍Certifications | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

B.O.B’s solid beauty bars are waterless, meaning the products require fewer preservatives, which are meant to deter bacteria formation in products containing water. The waterless concept also makes products more compact and lighter to transport, resulting in a lower carbon footprint, less packaging, and a longer life for the product. B.O.B's products can be categorized by different hair goals, making it easy to determine which type of solid bar is right for you.

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7. Superzero

Instagram | @superzeronow
Based in | United States
‍Certifications | 1% for the Planet

Superzero says no to plastic, hidden microplastics, water, and harmful ingredients to help shrink beauty’s environmental footprint. Superzero products are expertly formulated with potent actives and tailor-made to target different hair concerns and objectives.

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8. BRIXY

Instagram | @gobrixy
Based in | United States
‍Certifications | Leaping Bunny

BRIXY aims to produce as less waste as possible by creating simple, effective hair and skin bars packaged without any plastic. BRIXY has shampoo and conditioner sets that come in a variety of scents that are suitable for every hair type and routine.

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‍9. SBTRCT

Instagram | @sbtrctskincare
Based in | United Kingdom

SBTRCT pioneers a new solid format of high-performing skincare that is plastic-free, palm oil free, and contains no added water. They offer a wide range of unique products, including face cleansers, body balms, makeup melting balm, and even a solid Vitamin C booster serum.

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10. Kate McLeod

Instagram | @katemcleod
Based in | United States
Certifications | MADE SAFE, Leaping Bunny

Kate McLeod's solid stones are filled with nourishing ingredients that soothes and smoothes your skin. These solid stones are suitable for the face and body and are concentrated due to their waterless formulation. Each Body Stone has a set of core ingredients: 80% natural cocoa butter blended with sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and fractionated coconut oil. In addition, the fragranced stones are supplemented with essential oils, such as rose, chamomile, lavender, and bergamot.

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11. Ethique

Instagram | @ethique
Category | Beauty
Certification | B Corp certified since July 2018

In 2012, Ethique began crafting unique formulas in their Christchurch kitchen, driven by a desire to revolutionize cosmetics. Now operating from their lab, their core principle remains unchanged: creating healthy products with sustainable, naturally derived ingredients. Ethique's mission is to offer simple, concentrated, and sustainable hair and skincare in the form of bars, eliminating the need for bottles and harsh chemicals. Solid cosmetics, with high concentrations of beneficial ingredients, last longer and require no preservatives. Sustainability is integral to Ethique's ethos, as they aim to improve beauty products for both consumers and the environment.

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