Benefits of water-free cosmetics: why it pays to reach for water-free products

Summer is a challenge for our skin. Increased exposure to UV rays, high temperatures, frequent travel or air-conditioned spaces can dry and irritate it. If you want to relieve your skin while caring for it gently and effectively, it may be time to discover water-free cosmetics - that is, without water content, which is one of the growing trends in skin care these days. Let's take a closer look at what benefits it offers us.

The benefits of water-free natural cosmetics

1) Higher concentration of active ingredients
In conventional skin creams, water often makes up to 90% of the composition. Water-free products - balms, oils, sticks or powders - work differently: they do not contain water, and so can consist of more active and nourishing ingredients for the same volume as water-based products.

2) Less need for preservatives
Water is the breeding ground for bacteria. That is why the use of preservatives is essential in conventional cosmetics, but they are also unavoidable in natural cosmetics. Water-free cosmetics often bypass the use of preservatives almost completely and can thus be gentler on the skin in summer when it is more sensitive.

3) Longer shelf life and better stability in the heat
High temperatures are not good for classic creams, and can cause emulsions to deteriorate or stratify. However, anhydrous products are much more stable - they do not contain emulsions or water that could spoil, and they tolerate heat well, as well as longer transport.

4) Environmental friendliness and sustainability
Producing water-free cosmetics saves a huge amount of this precious resource. Moreover, such products tend to be more compact, consume less packaging and leave a smaller ecological footprint. At a time of climate crisis, this is an easy step in the right direction.

5) Practicality when travelling in summer
A solid balm, stick or powdered serum won't spill, won't take up much space and will pass through airport security without a hitch. Water-free products are lightweight, practical and can stand up to tough conditions, whether you're travelling to a festival, holiday or just a weekend by the water. A notable advantage of water-free natural products is that they don't disrupt the ecosystem with their composition, making them a great choice when hiking or camping in the great outdoors.

While a traditional moisturiser can deliver water to the skin, it evaporates quickly in summer due to the high temperatures and lower relative humidity of the environment. Skin also loses water due to UV exposure, sweating, more frequent washing, swimming in chlorinated pools, as well as mechanical friction (towels, clothes...). Water-free products create a protective barrier on the skin that helps reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

A common ingredient in natural water-free beauty products is vegetable butters, which you can read about on the Handymade blog.

One of the most valuable butters that comes from Africa is Shea butter. It is proven to help retain water in the skin, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and also slows skin ^aging1 due to its high content of vitamins A and E. It is very suitable for use in stretch mark prevention products and is also able to partially absorb UV rays due to its content of cinnamic acid esters and triterpene alcohols, making it suitable for sunscreens. Unrefined shea butter has a specific scent, which should be borne in mind when incorporating it into recipes. If you're looking for an easy way to treat your skin to the benefits of shea butter, try whipped butter - it's gentle, nourishing and also gives a luxurious feeling of pampering your skin.

Benefits of anhydrous natural cosmetics - Whipped butter to promote skin regeneration

Ingredients:

● 10 g Beeswax
● 50 g Jojoba oil
● 50 g Shea butter
● 40 g Mango butter
● 15 g Argan oil
● 10 g Avocado oil
● 4 g liquid Coenzyme Q10
● 1 g pomegranate extract
● 15 drops of liquid Vitamin E
● Essential or fragrance oil of preference (Mango and EO Indian Rosewood fragrance oil was used in this recipe)

Benefits of anhydrous natural cosmetics - procedure

Disinfect all the tools and containers you will be using with, for example, high-percent alcohol.

In a water bath, melt beeswax, butters and oils in a bowl suitable for whisking. Allow the mixture to set slightly in the refrigerator or freezer. You will know the correct consistency by gently pressing it on the surface to break through the 'crust' that has formed.

Using an electric mixer, whip the mixture, then add the active ingredients - vitamin E, pomegranate extract, Q10 and fragrance.

Beat intermittently until a fluffy and firm consistency is achieved.

Whipped butter will keep for several months when stored properly.

Benefits of waterless natural cosmetics - uses and tips

This whipped butter is suitable for evening skin care in the summer after sunbathing, ideally after a bath for example, as it also contains beeswax and thicker ingredients, so it stays on the skin for longer and keeps it supple and moisturised. In addition to the butters and oils, which are rich in vitamins of groups A, B, D and E, this butter also contains other active ingredients - Coenzyme Q10 and pomegranate extract, which enhance the regenerating effect of the product, helping to prevent premature aging and improve the skin's condition.

There are many recipes for whipped butter today, and different variations can be prepared by swapping oils or butters for other types, depending on the purpose for which you want to use the butter. Generally, if you can't whip the mixture and it is too stiff, add liquid oil and repeat the process. If, on the other hand, it doesn't whip and is runny, add melted butter and whisk again. An ingredient not to be left out of the recipe is vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, which is one of the most important antioxidants for the skin. Its main role is to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and ^sunlight2. In addition, it slows down the oxidation of oils, so your butter will stay fresh longer.

Benefits of anhydrous natural cosmetics - conclusion

The article explaining the benefits of water-free natural cosmetics is sure to convince you that it really pays to make your own natural cosmetics at home. That's why the article also includes instructions for creating a restorative whipped body butter that is easy to make for beginners and advanced users alike.
We hope that through this how-to article, you will discover a love for creating natural cosmetics.

Thank you to our customer and creator , Erika Samolova, for the great post and whipped body butter recipe.

Sources:

1) Ayanlowo O. et al. African oils in dermatology. Dermatologic Therapy. 2022; 35.DOI: 10.1111/dth.14968
2) Nachbar, F., Korting, H. C. The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin. J. Mol. Med. 1995, 73, p. 7-17.