Water, go away: Why everyone talks about waterless cosmetics
Continuing to explore green initiatives in the beauty industry: recent years are rich in small revolutions in the production of cosmetics that reduce harm to the environment. Another trend that supports the global eco-trend is the emergence of products that do not contain water (and some even eliminate the need to waste running water). We tell what their advantages are and whether anhydrous compositions can finally press the products of the “old generation”.
Margarita Virova
How it started
The fact that excessive consumption of water is a big problem, leading to a critical reduction of its reserves on the planet, has been spoken for a long time, and many industries today promise to reduce the amount of fluid used, which has not bypassed the beauty industry. In modern cosmetics, it is often possible to see it first in the list of ingredients, creams and lotions can contain up to 70% water. This is not connected with necessity, but with the traditions of production: we are used to liquid formulas and products of large volume. Meanwhile, water primarily adds volume to the tool, says Linda Treska, the founder of the first brand of anhydrous Pinch of Color cosmetics, and is hardly needed for anything else. Back in 2013, the large concern L'Oréal pledged to reduce to 60% the use of water in production by 2020, so the creation of water-free formulations should not remain only on the conscience of organic indie brands.
There is another way to deal with excessive water consumption by consumers. Eco-friendly beauty products are not only available without water in the compositions, but may not require the use of water at all. Even with bath and shower products, interesting changes are taking place: for example, Univeler has begun to apply technology that allows them to produce products that require less water for flushing. Love Beauty And Planet is a new brand of the concern, whose products are created using this technology. In the near future, these brands and lines will be more.
Why do you need it
The problem of excessive water consumption cannot be solved only by companies that refuse water-based products — and this is a very long process — in this case, the initiative of consumers is really important. In everyday life, we use water constantly, and today we are recommended to wash and wash less (despite the practical sacral significance of cleanliness for our culture). Turning to waterless cosmetics and household chemicals, we are making a serious contribution to the future of the planet.
In addition, removing water from cosmetic compositions, we will not only lose without a loss, but also win. Water is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, and, for example, preservatives in cosmetics are necessary in order to neutralize such fluid properties. Solid and other anhydrous products are thus, by definition, more hygienic and livelier to the end of shelf life.
How to do it
In Russian realities, it is quite difficult to switch to a completely waterless routine, but it is quite possible to buy products that do not contain water: a lot of solid hair products make Lush, look for Korean-made powder for washing, pay attention to oil-based care. With decorative cosmetics is still more difficult, but at your service all assortment of dry products. Modern cosmetic wipes can also help to eliminate water from the routine: use the usual wet for washing and special - for removing makeup. And remember that even simple actions that you just perform every day work on issues of eco-friendly consumption.
