Waterbased Vs. Waterless
Which Is Really the Best for You and Your Skin?
As the conversation around skincare evolves, one of the most significant & pressing debates is between water-based and waterless skincare products.
With the increasing popularity of "water-free skincare," let's take a little look at what each type offers and which might be the better choice for your skin & your health.
Water-Based Skincare: The Traditional Approach.
Water-based skincare products have long been the norm in the beauty industry. Most creams, lotions, and cleansers that you can buy in High St shops and online contain water (often listed as ‘aqua’), which is widely believed to provide hydration. However, while water is a natural ingredient, its inclusion can lead to the addition of some not so great ingredients, which can have unwanted effects on your skin, and very undesirable effects on your health.
The Benefits of Water-Based Products
1. Familiar Texture: Water-based products tend to feel lightweight and refreshing, making them a popular go to for many.
2. Hydration: Water is recognized for its hydrating properties, which can initially make skin feel moist.
However, there are several drawbacks that often accompany these perceived benefits.
The Drawbacks of Water-Based Skincare
1. Emulsifiers: To blend water and oil, most creams require emulsifiers. These emulsifiers are designed to dissolve oils in water, but this means they can also dissolve your skin's natural oils, leading to dryness.
Common emulsifiers you might find include:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Behentrimonium methosulphate
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Stearic acid
- Glyceryl stearate
- Ceteareth-20
- Polysorbates
- Laureth-4
- Potassium cetyl sulfate
The lingering presence of these emulsifiers can wreak havoc on your skin’s barrier, damaging its natural protective microbiome.
2. Fillers and Thickeners: To achieve a desirable texture, water-based products often include fillers and thickeners that can block pores and contribute to dryness.
These may include:
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Carnauba Wax
- Stearic Acid
- Locust Bean Gum
- Xanthan Gum
- Gelatin
- Carbomer
- Sodium Chloride
- Magnesium aluminium silicate
- Silica
- Bentonite
These ingredients do little to benefit your skin and can even be harmful.
3. Preservatives: Any product containing water must also include preservatives to prevent bacterial growth. Unfortunately, many preservatives, such as parabens and formaldehyde, can irritate the skin and disrupt its natural balance.
Common preservatives include:
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
- Phenoxyethanol
- Potassium sorbate
- Triclosan
- Triclocarban
These preservatives are designed to kill cells (biocides) and can lead to adverse skin reactions.
Waterless Skincare: A "New" Paradigm
In contrast, waterless skincare is gaining traction as a "new" & modern approach to hydration. (Trust me though, there's nothing "new" about it. The Egyptian knew all about the powerful and transformative benefits of 100% natural & waterless skincare way before us!). These products omit water entirely and focus on using oils, butters, and other nourishing ingredients.
The Advantages of Waterless Skincare
1. No Emulsifiers: Waterless products do not require emulsifiers, meaning they won’t dissolve your skin’s natural oils. This helps maintain your skin barrier and prevents dryness.
2. Absence of Fillers: Without water, there’s no need for fillers and thickeners, allowing for pure, concentrated nourishment. This results in a formulation that lets your skin breathe and function optimally.
3. Fewer Preservatives: Waterless skincare products are less reliant on preservatives, which reduces the risk of irritation and helps keep your skin's microbiome intact.
The Bottom Line: Which Is Best?
So, which is better for your skin—water-based or waterless skincare? While both have their merits, many experts believe that waterless skincare offers a superior alternative.
Waterless products provide deep hydration without the drawbacks associated with emulsifiers, fillers, and harsh, toxic preservatives found in water-based formulations. They are designed to nourish and protect the skin, allowing it to maintain its natural balance more effectively.
At My Skinfood, we absolutely LOVE the benefits of waterless skincare. Our collection of 100% natural, water-free products aims to enhance your skin's health. By using our concentrated salves, oils, balms & butters, you can lock in moisture more effectively while minimizing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
The Optimal Solution: Add Your Own Water!!
If you love the feeling of hydration that water provides, you can easily add your own water at home! Applying your waterless skincare products to dampened skin is the answer.
This technique allows your skin to absorb moisture from the environment while benefiting from the concentrated nourishment of the waterless formulation.
Spritzing your face with a hydrosol or using a damp cloth before applying your skincare can enhance hydration without compromising the advantages of a waterless routine.
If you find your current water-based moisturizer isn’t delivering the hydration you seek, it may be time to explore our range of water-free skincare.
Tracy