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Solid creams and shampoos represent the new frontier in cosmetics. Compact, ecological, and free from traditional plastic or aluminum bottles, these are handcrafted and natural products made using zero environmental impact methods and ingredients from very short supply chains!
Let’s explore what they are, how to use them, and which packaging is most suitable for these solid cosmetics.
What solid creams and shampoos are
At first glance, solid shampoos and creams look like regular soap bars.
Although the texture is different, the solid cream shares the same properties as its liquid counterpart and is made from organic formulations that are safe for the skin and the environment.
Simply rub the cosmetic bar onto the skin until the body's heat melts it, allowing easy application.
The same applies to shampoo: resembling a soap in appearance, its purpose is to cleanse and remove dirt from the scalp, composed of sebum and residues of hair products (gel, hairsprays, creams, etc.). The main ingredients inside are plant-based surfactants, which are directly responsible for the cleansing action on the scalp and hair. Other ingredients include:
- water and fragrance,
- conditioning agents that form a protective layer around the hair to enhance texture,
- essential oils and herbal extracts,
- colorants, preservatives, and other substances necessary to achieve and maintain the product.
Therefore, creams and shampoos—and solid cosmetics in general—have the same function as their liquid equivalents and can be produced through two processes:
- saponification: a chemical process that transforms fats and vegetable or animal oils into soap. More precisely, it consists of breaking down triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids using water with catalysts at high temperature (alkalis, mineral acids, organic acids). The result is a compound with a slightly basic pH (a physical measurement indicating the acidity of certain liquids or gases),
- ingredient compaction: which involves dehydrating the ingredients, then compacting them to achieve a pH similar to that of liquid detergents.
The final appearance will vary depending on the product type, shape, and color chosen by the manufacturer.
How to use them
Using them is very simple: like soap bars, you can lather the shampoo between your hands or directly on the hair. For the cream, just apply the bar onto the skin, massaging with circular motions: body heat will melt the blend of oils, releasing a thin layer of product onto the skin that nourishes and hydrates without leaving a greasy feeling.
Two precautions should always be observed. First, allow the cosmetics to dry after use. Second, store them away from water.
If the solid bars break into very small pieces during use, you can collect them in a fabric bag that also acts as a shower glove. We specifically made one for this purpose: it is a hemp soap bag with a pocket to hold leftover pieces that you can scrub directly onto the skin as an exfoliant.
Why choose solid cosmetics
Solid cosmetics offer several advantages, primarily environmental: they eliminate plastic from our bathrooms and reduce waste. Being concentrated products, only a small amount is needed each time, so they last longer (which is also cost-effective!).
Another benefit is their safety: they are natural, scented, and free of industrial chemicals that may irritate the skin. Finally, they are small and compact, making them ideal for travel, work, the pool, or the gym.
Besides shampoos and creams, the solid cosmetics family also includes:
- conditioners
- soap bars and shower gels
- facial and body cleansers
- deodorants
- toothpastes
- scrubs
- concentrated, zero waste face masks
- makeup remover cosmetics based on butters
The ideal packaging is an ecological fabric packaging!
A cleaner world and a more sustainable lifestyle, respecting our planet and our health: these are the demands of modern consumers, a priority brands cannot ignore.
Recent years have seen cosmetic attention focus on formulating non-polluting substances, with ingredients well tolerated and compatible with the skin, alongside the development of green packaging to eliminate plastic and reduce the use of unsustainable materials.
Choosing to produce and sell solid and zero waste cosmetics, paired with equally ecological packaging, could therefore be a winning strategy for your business.
There are many alternatives when it comes to green packaging, but the ones we recommend are fabric packages!
Fabric bags, in fact, are sustainable and recyclable and fit well within the cosmetics sector. Using the right fibers, sourced from ecological and certified crops, the bag will be safe for people’s health, the environment, and the products it contains!
Some fabric bags for organic cosmetics you might choose for your products
Our catalog offers many eco-friendly organic options for your solid cosmetics. For example, there is the mesh bag made of cotton certified by Oeko-Tex.
Simple yet charming and distinctive, you can use it as packaging for a solid shampoo or cream. Buyers can hang it in the shower and use it to store and dry the bar after use. You can also customise the label with your logo, so your customers remember your business when using this packaging and feel encouraged to return for more solid cosmetics.
Want to create packaging that holds several solid cosmetics?
Try a bag in raw cotton with a natural style, preservative-free, soft and 100% ecological. The purity of the natural cotton it is made from is ideal for containing any kind of makeup or soap, even in bottles.
Alternatively, you could opt for a fun pouch, also in cotton, which you can customise over the entire surface. Once the solid cosmetics inside are finished, thanks to the convenient zip closure, the pouch transforms into a travel cosmetic case that can hold makeup products and small accessories.
Choose the ideal fabric bag for your solid shampoos
Another advantage of fabric bags is the possibility to customise them in every detail. By choosing your brand’s characteristic colors, natural fabric, the right shape and size for the product, and adding your logo print with water-based inks, you will have original packaging that stands out.
Want one made to measure for your products?
We can help you develop packaging in any size and material to meet all your needs.
Take a look at the catalog and give us a call; we will be happy to design a custom bag for your brand. Choose Sacchetti di Tessuto!
