What is waterless skincare?
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We love powerful, pure products that do what they promise. That's why we're a fan of waterless skincare. But what exactly is waterless skincare? And why would waterless skincare be more sustainable than skincare with water as an added ingredient? And what effect does it have on your skin? In this article we lay out everything about waterless skincare for you, so your choice of skincare products becomes even easier in the future.
In this article we answer the following questions:
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What is waterless skincare?
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Why did waterless skincare emerge?
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The benefits of skincare without water
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Downsides and things to consider
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Who is waterless skincare suitable for?
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What types of waterless skincare are there?
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Which brands sell waterless skincare?
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Waterless skincare and sustainability
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How do you choose the right waterless skincare?
Waterless skincare is a growing trend that we're seeing more and more in the cosmetics industry. But what actually is it? Simply put: skincare without added water. No aqua as the first ingredient on the label, but pure active ingredients such as oils, butters, or powders. Think concentrated balms, solid creams, pure serums, and powder masks. Also known as: water-free skincare, skincare without water, anhydrous skincare. Why this trend? Because it works. And because it's sustainable. That's exactly why we're such a fan!
You might not guess it, but in a regular cream or lotion, water (aqua) is usually the largest ingredient, often more than half of the formula. You can see this on the label: aqua is listed at the top.
It's worth pointing out that a cream always needs a watery base. Without a liquid phase you can't make a cream that spreads, and some active ingredients only dissolve in water. But extra water is often added simply because it's a cheap filler. In that case more water is used than necessary, to fill the jar cheaply.
We work with two rich, cream-like products: the Tomato Base Cream and Rocket Eye Cream. And yes, if a liquid base is needed to make a cream, we don't choose water, but Aloe Vera or Tomato Juice. Although these juices are also watery, they also contain active ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that actually do something for your skin. So we don't go for the cheap water option, but for enriched 'waters' that nourish, protect, and strengthen. This way you get more out of every drop.
Why did waterless skincare emerge?
1. Water as a cheap filler
Most creams consist largely of water. Unfortunately often a cheap filler that does little for your skin. And that while your skin actually needs nourishment, protection, and repair. Cosmetic products without water as a filler are richer in pure active ingredients and nicer for your skin!
2. Climate and sustainability: saving water in the beauty industry
The availability of clean water is under pressure worldwide, and the beauty industry also uses a lot of water, both in its formulas and in production. Waterless skincare shows that this can be done differently, and even better. No unnecessary waste, but a well thought-out formula.
3. Clean beauty, eco-friendly, zero-waste
The conscious consumer really wants to make sustainable choices. Less clutter, less waste, more effect. Waterless fits seamlessly into that. It's a good solution for consumers who want to make more sustainable choices.
Rich creams
The benefits of skincare without water
1. Higher concentration of active ingredients
Skincare without water as a filler contains proportionally more nourishing ingredients, such as oils and butters. As a result, you often need only a small amount of product. Whether a product works better does depend on the whole formula and on what your skin needs, and not only on the absence of water.
2. Better shelf life and fewer preservatives
In addition, water calls for preservatives, because bacteria and moulds can grow in water. Products that contain no water at all, such as pure oils and balms, are considered products with a low microbiological risk under the international guideline ISO 29621. That's why our Carrot Cleanser contains no preservatives. A cream with a watery base, such as the tomato juice in our Tomato Base Cream, does need a mild preservative system. Less or milder preservation can be nice for sensitive skin.
3. Sustainability and environmental friendliness
We've of course already touched on the environment in the context of water consumption. But what about COβ emissions? Such a waste to transport packaging with such a high percentage of water, which does nothing for your skin! Pure, concentrated products also last longer. Ordering less often and less transport!
4. Ideal for travel
Another benefit of skincare without water? You need only a small amount of product, and probably fewer products overall. So a less full toiletry bag. Handy for travelling! You can easily take our Body Bars along in your hand luggage.
Downsides and things to consider with waterless skincare
Waterless sounds like the holy grail, but no product is perfect. And let's be honest: waterless skincare products have their own points to consider too.
Water makes products spreadable and light. Without water, a cream can feel richer or heavier than you're used to. That takes some getting used to if you've been used to a watery day cream for years. But you get intensive nourishment in return! For our Tomato Base Cream, we worked intensively with a professional laboratory for over two years. Together we searched for the perfect balance: a rich cream that nourishes and repairs at night, and a light, spreadable cream that absorbs quickly during the day and feels comfortable.
Waterless skincare can be richer than you're used to, and sensitive skin sometimes needs time to adjust. Give your skin a few weeks for this. If you know your skin reacts quickly, test a new product on a small patch of skin first, and stop if your skin turns red or starts to burn.
Because the content of waterless cream contains more concentrated active ingredients than one with water as the main ingredient, the cost can be higher than you're used to. The advantage here, of course, is that you need less of it and are therefore likely to make it last longer.
Not everyone agrees with us
Let's be honest: cosmetics manufacturers and chemists don't agree with each other about waterless skincare either. And some of their arguments are good ones:
Water is not bad for your skin. And a cream always needs a watery base, for example to include water-soluble active ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin C. The difference lies in the choice: plain water, or a juice that contributes something itself.
Waterless is not a protected term. A brand may call a product water-free even when it contains a watery juice or floral water. We also use tomato juice and aloe vera juice, which consist largely of water.
Without water, a product is not automatically more effective or milder. That depends on which ingredients it contains and in what amounts.
That's why we choose aloe vera juice or tomato juice as a watery base. That juice also consists largely of water, let's be honest about that, but it also contains substances from the plant that do something for your skin, such as antioxidants. We would rather fill the space in a formula with ingredients that contribute something themselves. A good water-based cream can also work perfectly well for your skin, but then you're largely paying for water.
Can the water in a cream hydrate your skin?
That's often said, but it isn't true. Water from a cream evaporates from your skin quickly. Your skin feels softer for a moment, but the water doesn't stay in your skin. Water can even make your skin feel drier, just as your hands get dry from frequent washing. Your skin gets its moisture from within. What a cream can do is help retain that moisture: oils and butters form a protective layer that slows evaporation, and substances such as glycerin bind moisture in the top layer of the skin. So on a cream, βhydratingβ really means: helps your skin retain moisture.
Who is waterless skincare intended for?
Waterless skincare isn't a hype! It's a smart choice for anyone who takes their skin (and the planet) seriously. But who benefits most?
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For dry skin
Do you have skin that always seems thirsty? That feels tight after showering and craves softness? Then waterless skincare is your new best friend. Because not a drop of water is involved, the formulas are rich in oils, butters, and active plant extracts. Not 'filler', but real nourishment. This way your skin stays supple, nourished, and protected, without having to keep re-applying. Do you already know our elderberry shower oil of 100% natural origin?
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For sensitive skin
Sensitive skin often reacts to preservatives, perfumes, and other additives. Formulas without water often need fewer or no preservatives, because there is less chance of bacterial growth. That can make waterless skincare nicer for those who quickly become red, dry, or irritated. Do look at the whole label, though: essential oils and fragrances can also irritate sensitive skin. That's why our facial care contains less than 1% essential oil.
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For travellers and minimalists
Waterless skincare is concentrated, so you also need less of it and it lasts nicely long. Ideal for those who want to travel light with few products, but don't want to compromise on care.
What types of waterless skincare are there?
Waterless skincare comes in different forms. These are the main ones:
Creams without water (day cream, facial cream, rich cream)
Balms are the flagship of waterless skincare. Think formulas with shea butter, jojoba oil, avocado oil, or plant-based waxes.
The Tomato Base Cream from Food for Skin is a facial cream without water, 99.93% of natural origin. This day cream is also used as a night cream.
Cleansing products (cleansing your face without water, balms)
In the field of facial cleansing there are more and more beautiful products that work without water.
Cleansing balms and oil cleansers melt away make-up and dirt effortlessly thanks to their rich oil texture. You apply them dry, gently massage in, and remove them with a warm, damp cloth. No foam, no tight feeling, but clean, supple skin.
Cleansing powders are also gaining ground: mix with a few drops of water to a soft paste. Perfect for sensitive or dry skin that doesn't like aggressive cleansers.
Our Carrot Cleanser is a natural, mild, and repairing cleansing oil without water. The oil cleanser cleanses thoroughly but also immediately leaves a protective layer behind. The cleanser doesn't foam and keeps your pH value intact.
Solid cleansing bars for your face don't contain water either. They last a long time and are handy when travelling.
Powder and solid formulas (shampoo bars, masks)
From clay masks to enzymatic exfoliants: powder-form products are on the rise. They contain no water, stay fresh for a long time, and are lightweight. Add some water yourself and determine the perfect consistency, handy!
There are also the solid products, such as shampoo bars and body bars. They're compact, last long, and are ideal to take on trips. A plastic-free alternative to shampoo or shower gel from a bottle. Our Body Bars are a solid cleanser like this for your body. Soap can't be made entirely without water, but a bar contains much less water than a bottle of shower gel. They're handmade in Amsterdam, packaged plastic-free and available in Olive, Apricot and Elderberry.
Water-free cleansing
Which brands sell waterless skincare?
More and more brands work without water as a filler. A few examples, including brands other than ours:
Food for Skin: the Carrot Cleanser and our serums are completely water-free, and our Body Bars are a solid cleanser with much less water than shower gel. The Tomato Base Cream and Rocket Eye Cream use tomato juice or aloe vera juice instead of added water.
Muze Skincare: Dutch brand with water-free anti-aging products in airless packaging.
Oliveda: German brand that replaces the water in its formulas with an olive leaf extract.
Abloom: like us, works with βenrichedβ waters instead of plain water.
LoΓ―s Lee: doesn't work with creams, but with an oil as day and night care.
Solid bars for face and hair: for example La RhodΓ©, Nature Bar and Solyd (formerly Shampoo Bars).
Looking for a water-free day cream at the drugstore, for example at Kruidvat? Then check the label carefully. If aqua is at the top, it's not a waterless product. Further on you can read how to recognise this.
Waterless skincare and sustainability
The impact of waterless skincare on sustainability can be seen in several areas, from production to consumption.
Impact on COβ emissions and packaging
Waterless skincare products are more concentrated. That means no unnecessary water is transported and you have to buy less often. It's also often the case that the product itself is smaller. That means: less packaging material, lighter transport, less COβ emissions. Add to that the fact that many brands opt for recyclable or refillable packaging. A total win-win!
Zero-waste beauty & circular cosmetics
Waterless fits perfectly within the zero-waste movement. No unnecessary filling, no wasted raw materials. This fits nicely alongside recyclable packaging or refill systems. What's more, you increasingly see formulas with upcycled ingredients such as by-products from the food industry. No waste, but real care.
Future of the beauty industry
The future is compact and effective. Waterless skincare shows that it can be done without unnecessary water. Calculating exactly how much more sustainable it is, is difficult, but less filler and less transport add up. Less waste, more efficiency.
The beauty industry has long run on empty promises, overconsumption, and lots of packaging waste. We hope that smart, high-quality formulas, short supply chains, and transparency become the standard.
βThe future is compact and effective.β
How do you choose the right waterless skincare?
Does waterless skincare sound like something for you? Here's how to get started!
1. Check the INCI list
Does 'aqua' appear at the top? Then it's not a waterless product. You'll find tips for checking the rest of the ingredients in our blog about how to read an INCI list.
How to recognise waterless skincare on the label
The label lists the ingredients from most to least. Three examples:
A regular water-based day cream often starts like this: Aqua, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, β¦ Water is the largest ingredient here.
A completely water-free product, such as our Carrot Cleanser: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond) Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, β¦ Only oils, no water.
A cream with an enriched base, such as our Tomato Base Cream: Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Juice, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, β¦ Tomato juice consists largely of water, but also contains other substances from the plant.
Also look out for watery ingredients with a different name. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (aloe vera juice) and floral waters such as Rosa Damascena Flower Water consist largely of water. That doesn't have to be a problem, but it shows that βwater-freeβ doesn't always mean completely without water.
2. Look at your skin type
We prefer to talk about skin condition rather than skin type, because it's about the condition at that moment. That can vary! Dry and rough skin is often suited to a richer oil, such as in the Avocado Serum. Oilier skin is suited to a light oil that absorbs quickly, such as in the Cucumber Serum. Our Pumpkin Serum sits in between.
3. Integrate the products into your routine
It's super easy to replace your current routine of products with water as the main ingredient with a routine without water as a cheap filler. You only need a little, so it lasts a long time.
Conclusion on waterless skincare
Waterless skincare isn't a hype, but a smart, conscious choice. For your skin and for the planet. Without unnecessary filler and with an honest label.
At Food for Skin we believe in simplicity that works. In formulas that are honest and make a visible difference. Want to experience for yourself what waterless can mean for your skin? Dive into our collection and discover what really nourishes.
Sources: ISO 29621:2017, guideline for cosmetics with a low microbiological risk and DGK, Water activity in cosmetic products (2025).
