Waterless Cleansing Beads are My New Skincare Obsession
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Water is an essential part of any cleansing routine, but as many beauty brands work to provide consumers with sustainable options, waterless skincare has become a buzz phrase in recent years. While most traditional cleansers are made with up to 90 percent water, anhydrous products help preserve the planet’s scarce water supply and are lighter in weight than liquid alternatives—making them less carbon-intensive to ship around the world. What’s more, they can offer added skincare and health benefits. Because they’re not diluted in water, they contain more active ingredients and are thus more potent than water-based alternatives.
One of the latest innovators of waterless skincare is Seadrop, a powder-based cleanser brand that focuses not only on efficacy but also sustainability, down to its zero-waste packaging. In my quest to make my beauty routine more earth-friendly, I was introduced to this eco-conscious cleanser a few months ago and have been hooked ever since. Here’s why:
Welcome Kit
$52.00
SeadropFounded in 2023 by former beauty industry executive Serena Advani, Seadrop makes a unique Waterless Hydrating Seafoam Cleanser that comes in bead form. The product, which is activated with water, was inspired by the Indian clay mask and cleanser recipes that have been passed down by Advani’s family for generations. “Creating these freshly activated products at home was one of my favorite early mother-daughter memories, and clicked decades later as a solution to better beauty products for our skin and the planet,” she tells me over email. Formulated for all complexions, the cleanser features natural ingredients like rice starch and kaolin clay for controlling excess sebum, papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate, and calming, antioxidant-rich butterfly pea extract. Additionally, there are grapefruit and orange extracts to help brighten, oat oil for strengthening the skin barrier, and triluronic acid (a combination of three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid) for deeper, longer-lasting hydration.
As someone with perpetually dry skin, I struggle to find formulas that thoroughly cleanse without stripping—but Seadrop’s formula does exactly that for me. It works well to remove makeup, oil, sunscreen, and dirt while leaving my skin feeling supple and bouncy.
Not only did I find the Seafoam Cleanser’s plant-based ingredients to be nonabrasive, I also appreciate that its formula is clinically and dermatologist-tested to be safe for sensitive skin. Besides being free of artificial preservatives, it’s made without a long list of other potential irritants—including sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, as well as artificial fragrances and colorants. (You can see the brand’s full “naughty list,” which Advani tells me was inspired by clean beauty retailer Credo’s stringent product standards.) Even with my hyperreactive complexion, I’ve never experienced any redness or tightness after using the Seadrop cleanser regularly for months. As added feel-good benefits, the formula is also vegan and certified cruelty-free.
On top of providing just the right amount of product with each wash, Seadrop’s pre-dosed cleanser is extremely travel-friendly. Each “welcome kit” comes with 60 dehydrated beads in a biodegradable paper tube, which you then empty into the included reusable glass container. (Essentially, you get a two-month supply of TSA-approved face wash in compact, zero-waste packaging.) When you need to replenish your stash, simply order another refill tube, transfer your new beads into the glass jar, and recycle the paper container.
All that said, one of my favorite parts about this cleanser is that it makes washing my face feel like a fun DIY project. The beads are simple to crush between your fingers, and they lather beautifully as soon as you add a splash of water and quickly rub your hands together. This cleanser is also the prettiest light blue—which is au naturel, thanks to the butterfly pea extract—and has a light, refreshing citrus scent.
The Bottom Line
Priced at $52, Seadrop’s cleanser is one of the more expensive options on the market. But since it lasts two months, is versatile enough for all skin types, and does significantly better by the planet, I’d say you get a lot of value for your money.
While you’re at it, I also recommend picking up the brand’s SpaBand set ($15)—which comes with a soft, colorful headband and two wristbands for keeping your hairline and arms dry while you cleanse. I recently added these accessories to my lineup, and they’ve made my daily cleansing ritual that much more decadent.
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