Is Bottleless Beauty on the Verge of Dominance? This Founder Believes It Is.

      As much as I appreciate numerous aspects of my role as a beauty editor, I occasionally question whether my work is contributing to the excessive waste on our planet. With the multitude of mailers I receive each week and the pile of unused beauty products on my table, I recognize the need for a way to decrease my carbon footprint. The beauty industry has certainly made progress toward sustainability, but there is still considerable work to be done. Every day seems to bring a new brand gaining traction on TikTok, and honestly, many of these are not introducing anything innovative to the market. The continuous global growth of the beauty industry highlights its need for a significant push toward improving environmental impact. Fortunately, I've observed brands that are committed to offering solutions. One notable sustainability initiative I’ve seen in recent years is the rise of single-dose skincare capsules as an alternative to traditional bottles. While this concept isn't entirely new, it's become more popular among brands, and I can’t help but wonder if this trend will soon become standard for skincare packaging. There’s so much to appreciate about this skincare method, but a key advantage of single-dose capsules is that they prevent product overuse. They ensure you get the correct amount every time, eliminating waste and the need to guess dosages. Additionally, these skincare capsules are much more sustainable than plastic bottles, representing a proactive step toward reducing waste in the beauty sector.

      However, Circē Skincare founder Patricia Finn explains why more brands may not yet be adopting this approach. "Capsule products bring several skincare benefits, but the challenge for some brands is their production costs," she notes. "Filling a plastic bottle with a water-based cleanser is significantly cheaper than producing waterless products in individual-use forms. Moreover, achieving appealing aesthetics can be more challenging in capsule form." As the urgency for sustainable practices in the beauty industry has increased over recent years, many brands have turned to creating biodegradable capsules. Many of these are vegetable-based or made with natural ingredients that break down without harming the environment. Formulating active skincare ingredients like vitamin C and retinol can be tricky. In this context, encapsulating them may actually enhance their effectiveness—especially with vitamin C, which is notoriously unstable. Many ingredients are also sensitive to temperature, pH, light, and oxidation, and encapsulation can help protect against degradation. Traditional bottles may allow ingredients to lose their potency over time, making capsules a favorable option! As mentioned by Finn, capsules aren't the most cost-effective method, and in a capitalist society, companies are perpetually looking for ways to save money. However, I am optimistic that skincare capsules will gain traction in the next few years, leading us toward a more sustainable beauty industry. For some of the best encapsulated formulas available, keep reading!

      **Shop the Best Skincare Capsules**

      **Circē Skincare PhytoFacials Daily Cleansing Capsules**

      Instead of using biodegradable capsules for their skincare line, Circē chose to create a straightforward single-dose cleanser that activates with water but has no encasing. What sets it apart is that it goes beyond the typical cleanser. "Our Cleansing Capsules provide a 'mini facial' in one precisely dosed pod," explains Finn. "It's a waterless formula that acts as a complex treatment product rather than a basic water-based cleanser. Each capsule contains houttuynia cordata powder for effective yet gentle exfoliation and provides a dual cleanse with jojoba seed oil and a mild coconut-derived surfactant. Plus, it includes microbiome-supporting ingredients to help maintain a healthy skin barrier." Finn notes that developing a waterless formula can significantly minimize water usage during production. "This also affects shipping costs since you're not paying to ship water," she clarifies. "Furthermore, we package the PhytoFacials Cleansing Capsules in a glass jar, which reduces the plastic used in manufacturing."

      **EVE LOM Cleansing Oil Capsules**

      Formulated by aestheticians, Eve Lom offers single-dose capsules of its highly popular cleansing oil. These capsules are 100% biodegradable, and the formula consists of essential omega fatty acids along with a signature blend of botanical oils. An added benefit is the travel set that includes a refillable case, providing a convenient and sustainable way to maintain your beauty routine while traveling.

      **Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum**

      Single-dose packaging effectively keeps light and air out, ensuring the product remains fresh. These retinol capsules by Elizabeth Arden are both effective and gentle, containing a mix of phytoceramides, vitamin E, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate—the most potent form of retinol available without a prescription.

      **Exuviance Vitamin C Serum Capsules**

      Vitamin C benefits significantly from encapsulation since it reduces exposure to air and light, which can diminish its effectiveness. Exuviance’s capsules contain 20% vitamin C along with amino acids that help volumize the skin and stimulate collagen production. It's a straightforward formula that delivers impressive