How to Build a Waterless Skincare Routine

Switching to waterless skincare could be the best thing for your winter skin—and the planet.

Have you ever checked the ingredients list of your favorite cleanser, moisturizer, or shampoo? Chances are, the very first ingredient is Aqua… water. Turns out there's a whole lot of water hiding in our skincare products!

Enter: waterless beauty. Also called “water-free” or “anhydrous,” waterless beauty is a new effort by skincare companies to formulate products without including any water at all. There are tons of benefits—from water conservation to a more concentrated, skin-nourishing product. And for us here at Badger, waterless skincare is more than just a trend.

We’ve always avoided water in most of our products, instead using powerfully pure ingredients like beeswax, plant oils, and botanical extracts. While it’s more expensive to make a product entirely out of organic ingredients, it’s better for the planet—and better for your skin.

 

Less water, more hydration.

Strangely enough, the less water a product contains, the more hydrating it actually is! Here are some of the pros to going waterless.

• Fewer preservatives – Adding water to a product allows for more bacterial growth, meaning it also needs more preservatives. Removing water results in a cleaner, simpler product.
• Less packaging – A more concentrated product means you use a little less… and you purchase fewer individual bottles over time. Hooray for less packaging waste!
• More hydration – Water-based products can dry the skin, washing away the protective skin barrier. As the water evaporates, it takes your skin’s natural oils with it. Plant-based oils help to lock in moisture for powerful, long-lasting hydration.
• And more of the good stuff – When water is added to a product, the active ingredients are diluted. Without water, more oils and botanicals are used, meaning more natural goodness for your skin.

Ready to try going waterless? Follow this step-by-step guide to make small swaps in your bathroom cabinet, one product at a time.

1. Switch to an oil cleanser.

Choose an oil-based cleanser formulated to hydrate the skin while lifting away dirt and makeup. While we recommend removing the oil with a warm, damp washcloth, you can also use a clean, dry washcloth to save even more water!

Try: Damascus Rose Cleansing Oil

2. Choose solids.

When it comes to soap and shampoo, opt for bars, not bottles. Not only are they package-free, but they're usually (you guessed it) waterless!

Try: Shampoo Bar (great for both hair and body!)

3. Switch your cream moisturizer to a face oil or balm.

Especially in the winter, our skin needs extra moisture and protection against the harsh winds, cold air, and indoor heat. Just a pump or two of a concentrated face oil will give your skin all the hydration it needs… no water required!

Pro tip—for a lighter moisturizer in the summer, try mixing Badger’s pure Aloe Vera Gel with a few drops of any Face Oil.

Try: Rose Face Oil

4. Use a body oil instead of a conventional lotion.

There’s something so timeless and luxurious about rubbing oil into your skin. I apply Rose Body Oil after a shower, and my winter skin has never been happier!

Try: Rose Body Oil

What are your thoughts on the waterless beauty movement? Is it something you're planning to try? Let us know in the comments!

Check out Badger's Organic Face Care Products.