Procter & Gamble and indie personal care brand HiBar have each rolled out new waterless products that reduce packaging in the bathroom and provide beauty consumers with sustainable facial cleansing options.

Calling it its biggest innovation in facial cleansing in more than 20 years, new Olay Cleansing Melts are water-activated cleansing squares that dissolve into microbubbles that remove excess oil and sweat.

The patented formula includes eight ingredients that P&G says are spun into nearly two miles of threads and woven into one unit that offers a single-use wash per square.

Olay contends most women have been using the same traditional liquid facial cleansing format for decades, and those options leave room improvement. In fact, according to Olay, up to 70% of women are dissatisfied with their facial cleansers). Olay contends they are either too gentle to provide enough cleansing or so harsh that they break the skin barrier.  In contrast, the Cleansing Melts deliver what Olay calls a “just right” clean. According to P&G, they are said clean better than the No. 1 hydrating cleanser.

There are three variants of the new Olay Cleansing Melts: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic and Retinol.

Solid Oil from HiBar

In its pursuit of building a better facial cleansing experience that eliminates waste, HiBar spent two years developing its new Solid Oil Cleanser. It leverages the efficacy of oil cleansers and cleansing balms, but doesn’t require a bottle, tub or tube, according to the brand.

The Solid Oil Cleanser was tested with salon owners, estheticians and skin care experts, according to HiBar.

It works as a makeup remover, but can also be used in a double cleansing routine or as a stand-alone cleanser for sensitive or dry skin.

The formula offers anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients along with hyaluronic acid.

The oil components are jojoba oil, sunflower oil and blue tansy oil, the latter of which has a soothing, calming and balancing effect. Plus, the blue tansy oil provides the bar’s blue tint and its earthy, floral scent.

The cleanser bar also contains turmeric root extract.

HiBar says the Solid Oil Cleanser can also be used as a mask when massaged onto the face and left for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.

The shape of the bar works ergonomically with the contours of the face and is shaped to get into smaller areas for makeup removal (eyes, nose, lips), said HiBar. In addition, it can work as a face massage tool for blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, according to the brand.

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