In recent years, the beauty department has been all about change: out with the classic fluid, cream or balm formulas, and in with solid skin and hair care products. But if we look more specifically at facial care, it seems that one texture is making a name for itself: powder .
Simple fashion effect or genuine interest in use? We interviewed Bridgitte Klein, founder of the brand Yanne Wellness , specialist in powder care.
Powder facial treatment: how does it work?
If you study the composition of skin care products, you will notice that water is often listed first in the list of ingredients, which means that it is the main ingredient in the formulas. Powder products are, as their name suggests, completely devoid of water. It is only when you are ready to use them that you add some water, in order to go from a powder texture to a more liquid one.
"A powder treatment is nothing more or less than a mixture of active ingredients reduced to powder. It also contains the same active ingredients as in a classic treatment: hyaluronic acid , collagen , vitamin C , exfoliating active ingredients and even essential oils ," explains Bridgitte Klein, who points out that it is possible to obtain varied rehydrated textures thanks to different powders.
"In terms of effectiveness, it doesn't matter if a product is powdered; it will work just as well as a liquid or cream formula ." Price-wise, powder formulas may seem more expensive than traditional versions when purchased, but keep in mind that they are concentrated and a bottle of powder typically delivers more product (after reconstitution with water) than its liquid equivalent.
Scrub, cleanser, mask, serum… Powder textures are found in almost all categories of facial products. At the time of writing, only one major product is not marketed in a powder version: facial cream (day or night). For our expert, this lack of enthusiasm can be explained by the fact that adding water is not (yet) a habitual gesture and could be restrictive to do morning and evening.
The Benefits of Powdered Beauty Products
There are many reasons to opt for a powder texture: " A formula that does not contain water does not require preservatives, since without water, there is no bacterial growth ," says Bridgitte Klein. And while preservatives are not necessarily bad for the skin, they can be poorly tolerated by sensitive skin .
Powder also has an ecological interest : since they do not contain water, the packaging is smaller and lighter, so their transport has a smaller carbon footprint. They are also practical to take with you on a trip and are not likely to cause problems on a plane.
Last good point for the powder: the absence of water ensures the stability of the active ingredients , which is interesting for vitamin C for example, known to be unstable. Only a few ingredients do not exist today in powder version, notably oils ( argan oil , coconut oil , etc.).
How to use and store powder care?
Powder formulas have plenty of benefits, but their use can be intrigued for those who have never tried them. "Using a powder treatment is easy," promises our expert. "Just pour a little powder into the palm of your hand and add water to rehydrate it ."
We then obtain a more or less liquid mixture depending on the amount of water added (it's up to you to dose to obtain the texture that you like), which we then apply to the face in the same way as we would with a classic treatment. In the case of a pure active ingredient such as vitamin C or niacinamide , it can be mixed directly with a moisturizing formula or serum.
In terms of storage, a powder formula that has never been opened can be stored for up to 3 years, protected from light and humidity (without water, the active ingredients are very stable and remain so for a long time). "Once the product is opened, it is recommended to use it within 6 months," says Bridgitte Klein. "We don't necessarily realize it, but the air inevitably carries moisture that will enter the bottle and interact with the powder. It is also recommended to close the product tightly after each use."
And if you were thinking of preparing a large quantity of powder + water mixture in advance, know that this is not recommended: "in the absence of preservatives, the mixture will keep for a few days at most".
Discover our selection of powdered facial treatments in the slideshow below.
