What are the advantages and disadvantages of solid cosmetics?

The formulation of solid products is one of the subjects that more articles, studies and new launchings has generated in the last times, one of the authentic hot topics in cosmetic. In fact, according to Mintel, the launching of cosmetic products of hygiene in solid format has increased notably in Europe: in 2018, the cosmetics in bar supposed grieve the 0,1 % of the launchings, whereas in 2022 this percentage increased until a 2,3 %. To enter them in the market, the marks are used to to use claims like "sustainable", "echo" or "biodegradable", by what can say that the solid cosmetic is a faithful reflection of the need to look for products that adapt to our greater environmental consciousness. But really a cosmetic product solid is more sustainable? Which type of advantages present these products?All the types of solid cosmetic are not equal neither have the same process of manufacture, so it is complicated to speak of solid cosmetic like general concept. However, yes they exist some common advantages: His microbiological pollution is more unlikely They are simpler to transport They occupy less space They are more durableBesides, if like this we wish it we can achieve the same active matter that in the cosmetic products traditional liquids thanks to the introduction of agents of filling and factors of consistency. By these reasons can begin to understand why associates the solid cosmetic to a cosmetic with a lower environmental impact.A look to the ingredients and his processes of manufacture They exist several formats of products of solid hygiene: bars, sticks, dusts or granules are some of them. All are different between yes, mainly regarding the process of formulation and manufacture, that will see more advance. Also it exists a significant difference if we analyse the ingredients used. Probably, the most important is the presence or no of soap.The cosmetics that contain soap are used to to carry in his list INCI ingredients like Sodium Palmitate or Potassium Cocoate, that manufacture by means of a chemical process known like saponificación. Those that do not contain soap are based in tensioactivos known like syndet, for example Sodium Coco Sulfate or Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, prime matters that obtain by means of different processes of synthesis. Also they exist some cosmetics combined that contain so much soap like syndets.The most striking difference between some cosmetics and others is the pH. We know that the pH of the skin is slightly sour, is used to to be around 5,5. The products of hygiene without soap have a pH between 5 and 7, seemed to the of the skin, although we find light differences in function of the final application and the zone of the body to which go directed. However, the soaps have an alcaline pH, nearer to 9. Although his visual appearance is alike and can carry to confusion to the final consumer, his process of manufacture and the final result in the skin do not have at all that see, being the one who contains syndet kinder with our epidermis.If we centre us in the products of hygiene without soap, many of them formulate from tensioactivos solid in format dust. These tensioactivos sintetizan in liquid format and subject to a back process of dried with the consequent energetic cost additional, non-existent for the traditional liquid products, by what here could find a disadvantage in terms of sustainability. Besides, if we centre us in the solid cosmetics in format sweep, are used to to have a process of manufacture that involves refining and extrusion, by what needs specific machinery and also high temperature. Therefore we see that, to energetic level, the processes of manufacture so much of the solid prime matters as of the final product in bar are more demanding that in the case of the traditional liquid products.They exist some products of solid hygiene in other formats, as it is the case of which formulate in dust, whose process of manufacture is simpler and fast, in addition to that can make to temperature acclimatise. However, what can suppose an advantage in the process of manufacture of the cosmetic, in occasions is a disadvantage because some manufacturers use packaging of type monodosis so that the consumer use the correct quantity without wasting product, what supposes a greater generation of waste and also penalises the format in terms of sustainability.As we have seen in some examples, the solid cosmetic presents advantages and inconvenient, although the most important is that the products chosen adapt to the individual expectations of the consumer and that have of all the information in the hand to take our decisions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solid cosmetics?

Carmina Alfonso Padilla

Director of Global Corporate Development en Zschimmer & Schwarz