Water is one of the most vital ingredients in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care products, but as a natural resource, it’s under pressure.
To offset this, future-oriented brands are taking serious strides to reduce water usage across their product lines and operations. They understand that water scarcity is not just an environmental issue for the manufacturing industry, but a global problem.
The good news is that a recent survey revealed that up to 56% of professionals reported that their companies are investing in water-related initiatives to drive positive change in response to water challenges.1 At Stephenson, we are proud of our commitment to reshaping our water resource management practices. For us, sustainability initiatives are not a nice to have, but an ongoing priority. From reusing wastewater in our processing facilities to pioneering waterless product formulations, we aim to minimise our water footprint while still offering high-performance solutions.
Why waterless?
Water is often the first ingredient on the label of many rinse-off products like shampoos, shower gels, and cleansers. In fact, it is estimated that these products can contain up to 95% water, but brands are now rethinking their approach when it comes to water-intensive formulations.2 Here, waterless products are emerging as a key solution to reduce water dependency and improve product sustainability.
By offering soap bases, syndets, and other next-generation ingredients, Stephenson has created options that enable brands to develop waterless beauty and personal care products. Our aim is simple but impactful: reduce, reuse, and rethink water at every stage of the product lifecycle. But we also know that reducing water should never come at the cost of compromising product quality.
The science behind waterless formulations
In traditional cosmetics, water is mixed with emulsifiers, oils including Rapeseed and Palm Oil, and other ingredients to create the creamy, spreadable textures and slip consumers love. Additionally, water is often used to extract certain natural ingredients or mix them with solvents like ethanol to create botanical extracts.3 The ability to remove water from these processes allows beautiful ingredients to shine by not relying on water as a filler, or when replacing with water-rich extracts like coconut or rose water.4 Some brands even use plant juices or the water leftover from botanical extracts, adding another layer of sustainability to product development.
Not only does this reduce water consumption, but it also amplifies the active ingredient concentration in products like serums and cleansers. Waterless products are often more concentrated, meaning they last longer and perform better. Solid formats, for instance, are estimated to be two to three times more effective than liquid products, providing an additional cost advantage and reducing waste.
A holistic approach to water management
Reducing water usage in personal care products goes beyond the formulation itself - it also involves rethinking the entire production process. From responsible crop cultivation to water-conscious ingredient sourcing, sustainable practices are becoming integral at every stage. For example, by choosing solid formats and water-efficient manufacturing, brands can now further contribute to significant water savings.
A key aspect of sustainability in beauty is packaging. Plastic packaging is notorious for contributing to marine and freshwater pollution, with residues and wash-off products adding to water contamination as ingredients like parabens and sulphates can disrupt aquatic life and degrade water quality. 5
Efforts such as the UK’s Water Framework Directive reflect the growing urgency for water conservation across industries. Such initiatives urge the personal care sector to minimise its environmental footprint, and many brands are rising to the challenge by investing in eco-friendly processes and materials.6,7
At Stephenson, our commitment to a water secure future is seen in all our processes. We have set ambitious goals for water neutrality by 2035 with our closed loop wastewater system. This will allow us to reuse water during our cooling processes while preventing any wastewater discharge. We believe that this model will not only conserve water but possibly impact our local community and ecosystem.
In addition, our focus on continually developing innovative waterless products including our melt-and-pour soap bases, syndets, and naturally derived polyglyceryl esters means that we can pay it forward, empowering brands to adopt water-saving practices without compromising quality. We know that this transition to waterless formats and sustainable practices is no longer a ‘nice-to-have' but an imperative in today’s beauty industry.
The future is waterless beauty
The beauty industry is at an important crossroads and by moving away from water-intensive products and embracing sustainable alternatives we can all work towards a water-secure future.
For Stephenson, water conservation is more than a business goal; it’s a core value that guides our approach to product development, process improvement, and sustainability. And, for consumers, choosing waterless or water-efficient products is a meaningful way to support reducing their water consumption. We are adamant, that high-quality, effective beauty products don’t have to come at the expense of the planet.
If you’re interested in learning more about the advantages of waterless formulations or exploring our range of innovative products, contact our team today to discuss how we can support your sustainable formulations
