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Almost all of us have heard of the use of freeze drying within the food industry. Some may have even heard of its many uses within the scientific and pharmaceutical industries, but what about cosmetics? In a very new revelation within the makeup and skincare industry, companies mainly located in Asia at present are beginning to produce cosmetic products which have undergone freeze-drying processes. But what does this mean for the final product? Why could this be beneficial to consumers, and could this be a revolutionary step forward in skincare? In this article, we’ll be exploring this little heard of yet growing market and discussing whether freeze-dried cosmetics could be the future of makeup.
What is freeze drying?
Freeze drying is a form of preservation, which is rapidly growing in popularity. It involves the freezing then drying of a product within a vacuum. Freeze drying removes upwards of 90% of the original item’s moisture content. Due to the removal of an environment where product-spoiling bacteria can thrive, freeze-dried goods can have a shelf life from anywhere between two and twenty years. As there is no cooking involved, the item is preserved in its raw state. This is a bonus in many industries, as it means all of the item’s unique properties have been preserved. For example, in the case of food, its naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are retained.
Why freeze dry cosmetics?
Food manufacturers are interested in freeze drying for a long shelf life. The cosmetic industry is interested in the freeze-drying processes due to the preservation of the qualities of the ingredients used in their natural, raw form. This feature of freeze drying allows cosmetic brands to capture their product’s ingredients at their best and most active form, without the need to add extra preservatives or stabilizers, which can impact the overall quality and effectiveness of their products.
The Benefits of Freeze Dried Cosmetics
The implementation of freeze-drying within the cosmetic industry has lead to the creation of many benefits to products, including the preservation of the active ingredient, lack of additional preservatives, a long shelf life, and the improved permeability of skincare products.
Most beneficial to many consumers is the fact that many of these freeze-dried cosmetics are hypoallergenic due to their purity and lack of additional ingredients. This could mean that in the near future, those with even the most sensitive of skin could have a whole range of products to choose from.
The Drawbacks
The main drawback of freeze-dried cosmetic products at present is that they need to be rehydrated with purified water before use. For a nation resistant to change, preferring the familiarity of tried and tested methods, powdered products could be a step too far.
However, this drawback can also be a major selling point of freeze-dried cosmetics, when considered differently. Products preserved this way only need to be rehydrated in small quantities. Therefore, dehydrated cosmetics offer consumers a long-lasting, waste-free solution to their makeup routine.
Final Thoughts
While a mass-market release of freeze-dried cosmetics may still be a few years away, these first bold new steps seen in Asian manufacturing offer an exciting prospect for cosmetic lovers worldwide. Hypoallergenic, pure, natural, and with minimal wastage. It wouldn’t be surprising if within the next decade, freeze-dried cosmetics are staple for many consumers globally.