Solid Cosmetics: Advantages And Disadvantages
Have you ever tried solid shampoos or toothpastes? These products are to traditional shampoos or toothpastes what bar soap is to shower gel: a more eco-friendly alternative, free of plastic packaging. Already embraced by zero waste enthusiasts, solid cosmetics are starting to become more mainstream thanks to brands like Lush or Lamazuna. We have compiled a list of their advantages and disadvantages for you.
Disadvantage #1: you have to get used to it.
If you have decided to buy solid cosmetics for ecological and/or vegan reasons, you have surely noticed: their use requires a small learning and adaptation phase!
Faced with a solid toothpaste that looks like a lollipop on a stick or a solid shampoo in the shape of a cannelé cake, the first question that naturally comes to mind is: "how do you use it?".
Forget the toothpaste tube placed on the edge of the sink or the deodorant with a roll-on! When you want something solid, you have to change your habits.
Fortunately, the instructions for these cosmetics are simpler than they seem. Usually, all you need to do is wet them with water to restore a texture similar to the classic product. So, simply rub your pre-wetted toothbrush with hot water on the solid toothpaste or run the solid deodorant under the tap water.
Another even easier method: you can also directly rub the solid deodorant on your still wet armpits after showering. As for the shampoo that looks like a soap, simply rub it on your wet hair to make it lather.
Disadvantage #2: you need to equip yourself.
With solid cosmetics, no more packaging, shampoo bottles, and toothpaste tubes!
Zero waste packaging is often the goal for specialized brands, but it poses some practical problems for the user:
=> How do I store my solid product?
=> Where do I keep it so it doesn't get dirty and/or stay wet after use?
=> How do I transport it while traveling?
All environmentally-conscious beauty enthusiasts know that combining beauty and ecology always requires some effort... In this case, to switch from traditional cosmetics to solids, you will need to equip yourself with a few essentials:
=> Soap dish to place your solid shampoo in the shower
=> A box (soap or other) to store your solid deodorant and be able to transport it in your toiletry bag
=> A toothbrush glass or another small jar to store your solid toothpaste
Note: for those afraid of germs, rest assured! Since solid products do not contain water, bacteria cannot thrive in them. You can therefore store them in your bathroom for a long time without fear of them getting damaged.
If you need to take your deodorant or solid shampoo with you right after using it, a little trick is to slip them into a clean washcloth before storing them in your toiletry bag.
In the end, a little DIY is enough to store and transport solid products without any worries! They are quite portable and perfect for airplane travel (where the allowed quantities of liquids are limited).
Advantage #1: they are eco-friendly.
Without packaging and generally made from 100% natural ingredients, solid cosmetics are a great choice when it comes to respecting the environment:
=> They fit perfectly into the zero waste approach and are even more interesting considering that 70% of cosmetic industry waste comes from packaging.
=> They allow us to eliminate plastic bottles (the most common ones, even for organic cosmetics unfortunately...) as they are sold either in bulk or in recyclable cardboard packaging.
=> Their composition is more natural because, in the absence of an aqueous phase, preservatives such as parabens or other endocrine disruptors are unnecessary.
=> They are committed: for the sake of consistency in the ecological approach, they are generally vegan cosmetics and not tested on animals.
As a bonus, they take up very little space in the bathroom once you have found the appropriate container for each one (see the previous paragraph).
Advantage #2: they are economical.
One of the major differences that you will notice if you try solid cosmetics is their lifespan. Just like a bar of soap lasts much longer than a bottle of shower gel, solid products really last longer than their conventional counterparts.
On the Lamazuna brand's website, it states that the solid shampoo lasts as long as two bottles of liquid shampoo and the solid deodorant lasts as long as two regular sticks.
In terms of usage, you will realize that these products are even more durable and economical and you won't waste a drop (or rather a crumb) anymore.
Advantage #3: they are efficient.
But are solid cosmetics as effective as others? Well, yes, if I believe my own experience and the opinions of beauty bloggers. Very concentrated in active ingredients, these products combine simplicity and effectiveness.
Solid deodorants in particular prove to be more effective than alum stone or commercially labeled "aluminum-free" deodorants: a real boon for fans of natural beauty!
