‘Dehydrated’ moisturiser that looks like confetti could revolutionise the beauty industry

Toiletry bags could become a lot lighter after researchers created ‘dehydrated’ moisturiser in a confetti-like disc.

A tiny packet contains a flat circle of material the size of a pound coin. The product, made from a thin material which feels like paper, needs only a drop of water to become moisturiser – because the product is mostly water.

A process called electrospinning was used to remove oil and water. It means a month’s worth of moisturiser could fit in a tub about an inch (3cm) in diameter.

The product would no longer need preservatives if it was created in this dry form.

Professor Sheng Qi, who created the moisturiser prototype at the University of East Anglia, said the technology could be used for sun cream, shampoos, and conditioners, among other potential applications.

She said: ‘You could carry this moisturiser in a little paper pouch, like you normally carry a breath mint in your purse or handbag.

‘It just takes one drop of water for it to rehydrate and become a moisturiser.

‘Most cosmetics and toiletries contain up to 95 per cent water, leading to heavy units by volume and bulky packaging.

‘Every year, 120 billion units of cosmetics and toiletries are packaged and shipped globally, so the industry has a huge carbon footprint.’

The researcher said, unlike other water-free beauty products currently available, the technology used to dehydrate the moisturiser does not involve heat, which means proteins, peptides and other ‘delicate’ ingredients remain well-preserved.

Because the water is taken out of the moisturiser, there is no need for chemical preservatives, because without water, there is a lower risk of moisture-loving bacteria growing.

Researchers originally created the product for pharmaceutical and drug delivery, but found it could be helpful for beauty products and cosmetics.