Preview: Waterless Beauty

28 : 11 : 2016 Waterless Beauty : Whole-system Thinking : Skincare

Beauty brands are developing waterless formulas to alleviate consumers’ concerns about the environment.

  • Water scarcity is driving consumers to demand that brands reduce their water usage in their product formulas and wider supply chain
  • Some 27% of UK consumers try to re-use or use less water, according to Mintel
Nannette de Gaspé face and body masks Nannette de Gaspé face and body masks
Ethique beauty bar Ethique beauty bar
Nannette de Gaspé face and body masks Nannette de Gaspé face and body masks

By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages, according to the World Wildlife Fund. In response, beauty brands are using less water in their formulas, where water is typically a main ingredient, and wider supply chain.

Ethique offers a range of solid beauty bars that activate when wet. The line includes shampoo, make-up removers and a cleanser. ‘It doesn’t make sense to pay for water, package it in plastic bottles and use harsh chemicals to preserve it when there is water in your shower already,’ says founder Brianne West.

As part of its sustainability commitment L’Oréal has pledged to reduce its water consumption by 60% per unit of finished product by 2020. ‘Water is a precious resource in danger and it is our responsibility to act in favour of its sustainable management,’ said Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of L’Oréal.

The Big Picture

For more on how beauty brands are responding to climate change and consumer concern over water shortages, read our Waterless Beauty microtrend.

Discover More Daily Signals
The Trend:  The New Age of Discovery

Daily Signals

The Trend:  The New Age of Discovery

Where can consumers still find newness amid algorithm fatigue, ad blockers and saturated content platforms? Part of the answer lies in gatekeeping ...
Technology : Discovery : Retail
The Big Idea: The Future of  Dating Apps

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: The Future of Dating Apps

Hinge is the ‘designed to be deleted’ dating app now turning to real-life connections to tackle Gen Z loneliness. The Future Laboratory spoke to pr...
Technology : Dating Apps : Hinge
The Campaign: Why Apple leaned into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Why Apple leaned into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Apple’s 2025 Christmas campaign A Critter Carol puts human craftsmanship front and centre.
Technology : Advertising & Branding : Apple
The Viewpoint: Cyberchondria and Its Cure

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Cyberchondria and Its Cure

The democratisation of medical knowledge – and the spread of fake news – has opened the doors to a new kind of cyberchondria. Jay Topham, co-founde...
Technology : Cyberchondria : Health
The Space: Koibird’s London store mixes digital and physical

Daily Signals

The Space: Koibird’s London store mixes digital and physical

A new wave of designers is bridging the virtual chaos of gaming realms and extended reality with the tactile authenticity of human craft.  
Technology : Retail : Design
Download the Future Forecast 2026 report

Daily Signals

Download the Future Forecast 2026 report

Now that you know what shaped 2025, discover what’s next.
Future Forecast
How Marcin Rusak and Perrier-Jouët translated plant life into sonic installations at Design Miami 2025

Daily Signals

How Marcin Rusak and Perrier-Jouët translated plant life into sonic installations at Design Miami 2025

At Design Miami 2025, designer Marcin Rusak partnered with champagne house Perrier-Jouët to translate the hidden life of plants into a sculptural, ...
Design : Luxury : Drink
Why Myndstream and Mayo Clinic believe music is the future of medicine

Daily Signals

Why Myndstream and Mayo Clinic believe music is the future of medicine

Global wellness music brand Myndstream has partnered with Mayo Clinic to explore the clinical potential of functional music in healthcare.
Health : Music : Technology
Stat: US sports fans show high engagement across travel, gaming and media

Daily Signals

Stat: US sports fans show high engagement across travel, gaming and media

According to GWI’s latest Global Fan Study, 62% of US sports fans are more likely to take three to four international trips per year compared with ...
Sports : Travel : Statistic
How new Evil Ray suncare brand taps the unhinged humour opportunity

Daily Signals

How new Evil Ray suncare brand taps the unhinged humour opportunity

Australian creative agency Pembleton has unveiled Evil Ray, a bold new sunscreen brand designed in collaboration with iconic Australian artist Reg ...
Beauty : Healthcare : Sunscreen
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN