Why you should switch to waterless beauty products: skincare and other items from Kate McLeod, Kosmatology, Beauty Favours and Sbtrct are easier to travel with, less likely to spoil
Navigating airport security with a carry-on is a high-stakes – and potentially expensive – game. The 100-millilitre rule turns favourite beauty products into banned substances, and there's the added 'thrill' of wondering if a mid-flight spill will ruin everything inside your case. Enter waterless beauty products – the low-key heroes for travellers and sustainably minded consumers.
Waterless cosmetics come in more formats than you'd expect, covering all the basics and then some. Powdered cleansers and exfoliators kick things off with formulas that activate at the first splash of water, turning into gentle scrubs and cleansers. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars do away with the need for bulky bottles, making hair care refreshingly compact. For the face, cleansing balms and oils deliver all the hydration and glow you need, melting into the skin without a trace, while solid moisturisers pack the hydrating punch of your usual cream into suitcase-friendly sticks or bars.
Kosmatology Botanical Bliss Lotion Bar. Photo: Handout
Advertisement
For travellers, the perks of waterless beauty hit immediately. Solid formats breeze through liquid restrictions, reducing security stress – no more desperate digging for overlooked items, and last-second product sacrifices. And with leakproof, spill-free formulas, those dreaded conditioner explosions are a thing of the past.
The waterless movement started in Korea around 2015 and quickly went global. However, it wasn't the eco-factor that stole the show but the turbocharged formulations. Ditching water as the main ingredient opens up plenty of space for active ingredients. Standard beauty products are often 60-80 per cent water: remove 'aqua' from the top of the list, and suddenly it's all actives.
Aesop Bathing Ritual and Bath Soaps. Photo: Handout
They're also a jackpot for longevity and value. As cosmetic scientist and founder of Beauty Favours Dr Leanne King says, 'Waterless products are often highly concentrated with luxurious oils, butters, cleansers and actives, meaning that a small amount can go a long way.' She explains that because of the large volume of water in traditional formulas, much of the product ends up wasted as we fail to judge how much is needed, washing extra product down the sink. 'In contrast, waterless products – such as shampoo bars – can deliver a potent dose of active ingredients that are more effective per application.'
King further explains that certain ingredients thrive in waterless formats. 'This compatibility can enhance the effectiveness and sensory appeal of the product.' Oils like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and cocoa butter provide hydration and nourishment without requiring water as a carrier, retaining their benefits over time in a solid format.
Dip bar shampoo and conditioner. Photo: Handout
Janis Covey, pharmacist and founder of Kosmatology, highlights another key benefit: 'Waterless beauty products boast longer shelf lives than their traditional, water-containing counterparts.' This longevity is largely due to the absence of water, which can encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria. Kate Assaraf, founder of sustainable hair care brand Dip, agrees. 'Waterless formulas have an advantage in maintaining potency and effectiveness over time compared with water-based products,' she says.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Here's Johnny! Stanley Hotel, inspiration for The Shining, to get major overhaul
The hotel that inspired Stephen King to write his bestseller The Shining is getting a sweeping overhaul in a bid to cement its status in the film industry, particularly among horror-movie aficionados. Advertisement The new owners of the Stanley Hotel, in Estes Park, Colorado, roughly 64km (40 miles) from Boulder, plan to borrow nearly US$300 million to expand its facilities. The project, which includes a new events centre, is the result of a decade of planning by the US state and the hotel owner along with cultural and film organisations around how to attract more regional tourism. Part of the goal is to tap into the Sundance Film Festival's planned move to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027 from Utah. The Stanley is a 196-room independent hotel that opened in 1909 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its campus encompasses more than 16 hectares (40 acres) with amenities including outdoor pools, a spa, restaurants and a concert hall. Near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is the only full-service hotel in the area. Advertisement King and his wife stayed in the hotel for one night in 1974, and had the unusual experience of being the only guests as it was closing the next day for the winter, the author recalls on his website.
South China Morning Post
22-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Why you should switch to waterless beauty products: skincare and other items from Kate McLeod, Kosmatology, Beauty Favours and Sbtrct are easier to travel with, less likely to spoil
Navigating airport security with a carry-on is a high-stakes – and potentially expensive – game. The 100-millilitre rule turns favourite beauty products into banned substances, and there's the added 'thrill' of wondering if a mid-flight spill will ruin everything inside your case. Enter waterless beauty products – the low-key heroes for travellers and sustainably minded consumers. Waterless cosmetics come in more formats than you'd expect, covering all the basics and then some. Powdered cleansers and exfoliators kick things off with formulas that activate at the first splash of water, turning into gentle scrubs and cleansers. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars do away with the need for bulky bottles, making hair care refreshingly compact. For the face, cleansing balms and oils deliver all the hydration and glow you need, melting into the skin without a trace, while solid moisturisers pack the hydrating punch of your usual cream into suitcase-friendly sticks or bars. Kosmatology Botanical Bliss Lotion Bar. Photo: Handout Advertisement For travellers, the perks of waterless beauty hit immediately. Solid formats breeze through liquid restrictions, reducing security stress – no more desperate digging for overlooked items, and last-second product sacrifices. And with leakproof, spill-free formulas, those dreaded conditioner explosions are a thing of the past. The waterless movement started in Korea around 2015 and quickly went global. However, it wasn't the eco-factor that stole the show but the turbocharged formulations. Ditching water as the main ingredient opens up plenty of space for active ingredients. Standard beauty products are often 60-80 per cent water: remove 'aqua' from the top of the list, and suddenly it's all actives. Aesop Bathing Ritual and Bath Soaps. Photo: Handout They're also a jackpot for longevity and value. As cosmetic scientist and founder of Beauty Favours Dr Leanne King says, 'Waterless products are often highly concentrated with luxurious oils, butters, cleansers and actives, meaning that a small amount can go a long way.' She explains that because of the large volume of water in traditional formulas, much of the product ends up wasted as we fail to judge how much is needed, washing extra product down the sink. 'In contrast, waterless products – such as shampoo bars – can deliver a potent dose of active ingredients that are more effective per application.' King further explains that certain ingredients thrive in waterless formats. 'This compatibility can enhance the effectiveness and sensory appeal of the product.' Oils like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and cocoa butter provide hydration and nourishment without requiring water as a carrier, retaining their benefits over time in a solid format. Dip bar shampoo and conditioner. Photo: Handout Janis Covey, pharmacist and founder of Kosmatology, highlights another key benefit: 'Waterless beauty products boast longer shelf lives than their traditional, water-containing counterparts.' This longevity is largely due to the absence of water, which can encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria. Kate Assaraf, founder of sustainable hair care brand Dip, agrees. 'Waterless formulas have an advantage in maintaining potency and effectiveness over time compared with water-based products,' she says.
South China Morning Post
15-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong multiple-entry scheme ‘likely to cover more mainland cities this year'
A multiple-entry scheme granting Shenzhen residents unlimited trips to Hong Kong is likely to be expanded this year to cover travellers from other mainland Chinese cities, the city's sole representative in the nation's top legislative body has said, while calling for Beijing and Shanghai's inclusion under the policy. Advertisement Delegate Starry Lee Wai-king of the National People's Congress Standing Committee also said on Saturday that Hong Kong's travel sector was an important element in promoting more international exchanges. The promotion push was listed as a priority for Hong Kong by Beijing officials at China's recently concluded key political meetings, known as the ' two sessions '. Last November, mainland authorities announced that more than 10 million Shenzhen residents could apply for visas allowing them an unlimited number of trips to Hong Kong within a one-year period, with each visit capped at seven days. Lee said on Saturday that she expected the scheme to expand this year to more mainland cities, while calling for Beijing and Shanghai's inclusion on the list. Advertisement 'I personally think, beyond the cities within the Greater Bay Area that could be considered for the expansion of the multiple-entry visa scheme, Beijing and Shanghai could also be considered, as these cities have relatively large populations and they are quite far away from Hong Kong, which means that visitors can stay longer if they come to visit,' she said.
