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The struggle to squash as many beauty products as possible into a tiny clear plastic bag is one we know all too well, but our beauty team have recently uncovered a little-known way around it.
Waterless beauty products have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Not only do they allow us to side-step the liquid limits, but they also tend to be more concentrated, meaning they last longer compared to their water-based counterparts. As an extra bonus, they’re often more sustainable – they eliminate the need for water in their formulation, and lots of these products come with minimal or eco-friendly packaging.
The benefits don’t end there – waterless products are typically lighter and more compact, making them easier to pack and carry in your hand luggage. If you’ve ever had a bottle of shampoo or face oil leak in your suitcase, you’ll be pleased to know that these waterless products are less prone to spills and leaks, ensuring that your belongings remain clean and untouched during your trip. Below, we have rounded up the best liquid-free beauty buys you should know about.
Powdered Cleansers and Exfoliators
Tatcha The Rice Polish Gentle
This water-activated rice-based exfoliant transforms into a creamy foam, offering gentle exfoliation and cleansing for all skin types, but it works particularly well for sensitive and dry skins.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Add water to this gentle exfoliator with blemish-clearing salicylic acid and soothing colloidal oatmeal to refine the texture, blitz dead skin cells and brighten the skin. It’s ideal for balanced and oily complexions.
Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Davines DEDE Naked Shampoo Bar
Italian hair care brand Davines boasts a shampoo bar that lathers almost as well as regular liquid shampoo, and cleanses without stripping the hair. It’s suitable for all hair types, uses 100 per cent recyclable paper, contains 97.4 per cent biodegradable ingredients. Best of all, it weighs far less than a bottle of shampoo.
The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo Bar
This moisturising shampoo bar is ideal for curly and dry hair types. The organic banana puree helps to nourish the hair without leaving it greasy, it foams beautifully and lasts up to 50 washes. An aluminium Shampoo Bar Travel case is available separately to make transporting it a breeze.
Cleansing Balms and Oils
Formulae Prescott Tri Balm
Leave your face wash at home – this multi-use balm cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises in one go, and because it’s solid, it doesn’t count as one of your precious liquids. Although it works on all skin types, it’s particularly good on balanced to dry skins because of the botanical oils and rich creamy texture that even doubles up as a face mask.
Jones Road Cleansing Stick
Do you carry a separate eye make-up remover? Save space with this smart cleansing stick which is an oil cleanser in solid form that washes away make-up and grime easily. It’s perfect for all skin types and the perfect way to avoid bringing a huge bottle of micellar water with you.
Solid Moisturisers and oils
Milk Makeup Hydrating Oil stick
If you’re a fan of face oils, then this multi-use stick is about to become your new travel hero. It’s rich in antioxidants and packed with apricot, avocado, calendula and jojoba oils that tackle dry skin on your face and body and help to replenish the hair, too. It’s clever stuff.
Kiehls Ultra Facial Barrier Balm
Twist and apply this nourishing balm as a face cream, hand cream and more. It contains moisturising squalane and barrier-supporting pro-ceramides to soften and restore the skin.
Travel Essentials
Gudyu Remineralising and Whitening Toothpaste Tabs
Ditch the messy tube of toothpaste and opt for these dentist-created tablets instead. They’re available by subscription and contain all of the good stuff your regular toothpaste does, with the added bonus of being recyclable, refillable and very travel friendly.
Hello Sunday The Shimmer One Mineral Glow Stick SPF45
This 100 per cent mineral SPF stick uses hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin as it protects from the sun. Because it’s mineral, it works well for sensitive skins, but there could also be a slight white cast that needs to be rubbed in well. What’s great is that the subtle shimmer doubles up as a highlighter too, which is as useful for catching the glow of the moonlight as it is for protecting you in daylight.
