Scaling Sustainably: Why Waterless Products Are the Future
Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic advantage. Brands that integrate eco-conscious innovation into their product lines aren’t just reducing their environmental impact; they’re cutting costs, enhancing efficiency, and meeting the demands of today’s consumers.
One of the biggest shifts in personal care and beauty? Waterless formulations.
From powdered skincare and shampoo to dissolvable cleansing tablets and toothpaste, water-free products are transforming how brands scale sustainably. And with growing concerns about water scarcity, packaging waste, and carbon emissions, this isn’t just a passing fad—it’s the future of formulation.
Why Waterless? The Smart, Sustainable Way to Scale
Beauty products contain anywhere from 60-85% water, while personal care products, such as shampoos and body wash contain up to 95%. That means brands are essentially paying to ship water, using bulky plastic packaging, and storing diluted formulas that often require heavy preservatives.
Waterless products eliminate these inefficiencies while offering higher potency, longer shelf life, and a significantly lower environmental impact. Here’s how:
Less Water = Lower Production & Shipping Costs
These dry formulations remove bulk and excess weight, slashing transportation costs and storage fees. With lightweight powders, tablets, and concentrated solids, brands save on logistics while reducing emissions tied to distribution.
Example: A face wash in powdered form takes up a fraction of the space of traditional liquid cleansers, making it cheaper to ship, easier to store, and far more sustainable. This also allows consumers to adjust formulation strength and travel easily with products they love. Additionally, they can now choose the quality and type of additive to activate—whether water or the growing popularity of oil-based cleansers.
Less Waste = A Lighter Environmental Footprint
Consumers and regulators are cracking down on single-use plastics and excessive packaging. Waterless products align with zero-waste and low-carbon initiatives, making them a future-proof investment for brands looking to stay ahead of policy changes.
Stat: The beauty industry alone produces 120 billion units of packaging each year (1), much of which isn’t recyclable. Waterless formulations drastically reduce plastic use by eliminating the need for heavy, liquid-proof containers.
More Potency = Higher-Performing Formulas
By removing water, brands can create concentrated, active-rich formulas that deliver stronger results with fewer ingredients. Without water acting as a filler, formulations can focus on pure, functional components that consumers actually want.
Example: Waterless vitamin C serums remain potent longer, avoiding oxidation issues that often degrade liquid formulas.
Consumers Are Demanding Sustainable Innovation
Today’s shoppers are smarter, more eco-conscious, and more selective. They actively look for brands that align with their values—meaning sustainable innovation isn’t just nice to have; it’s expected.
Consumer Priorities Driving Waterless Product Growth:
Sustainability: Less water, less waste, less plastic
Convenience: Lighter, travel-friendly, and TSA-compliant
Ingredient Transparency: Fewer preservatives, more actives
Longevity: Longer shelf life without microbial concerns
Stat: A recent survey found that 78% of consumers prefer sustainable products (2), with many willing to pay a premium for brands that prioritize eco-conscious innovation.
Waterless by F6: A Future-Forward Approach to Formulation
At Factory6, we don’t just follow industry trends—we engineer them.
We’ve invested in developing dry, sustainable formulations because we see where the market is headed.
While our primary focus is nutraceuticals, our deep expertise in tablets and powders makes us uniquely positioned to help brands leverage this movement in personal care and travel-friendly products.
F6 offers a fresh new look at a global industry:
Powdered skincare, shampoos & conditioners that activate with water
Tablet-based products for cleansing, oral care, and more
Compact, travel-ready formats that reduce bulk and waste
Custom formulations tailored to your brand’s needs
We work with beauty brands, outdoor brands, the hospitality industry, and any business looking to create products that aren’t just more sustainable—but smarter, better, and built for the future.
The Future of Personal Care Is Waterless—Are You Ready?
Sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s a business opportunity.
Waterless products reduce costs, increase efficiency, and align with the values of today’s consumers. Brands that embrace this shift now will be the ones shaping the future of eco-conscious living.
If you’re ready to create more sustainable personal care products, let’s talk.
