If you have ever watched half a bottle of shower gel vanish down the drain and wondered whether there was a better way, you are not alone. A growing community of beauty lovers is swapping liquid products for concentrated bars, and here in the Cederberg we have been quietly perfecting that art for years. Aardvel’s Soap Blok Bundle, Shampoo Blok Bundle and Lotion Blok Bundle show that you can achieve clean, nourished skin and hair without the water, the waste or the fuss. Below, we unpack the ten biggest reasons to embrace waterless skincare, with plenty of insider tips from founder Jakob Slabbert and the artisans who craft every bar by hand.
1. Concentrated Goodness Means Better Results
Traditional liquid cleansers and moisturisers can contain up to 80 percent water. Removing that water allows us to pack a soap, shampoo or lotion bar with a much higher percentage of active botanicals. Take our Buchu & Rosemary Cold Process Soap Blok: each square holds a generous dose of wild-harvested Buchu oil for its antibacterial prowess, plus rosemary for an energising aromatic lift. Nothing is diluted, so every swipe delivers the full benefit.
“When you eliminate water, you make room for ingredients that actually serve the skin and scalp,” says Jakob, who began experimenting with solid formulas while living on his family’s fynbos farm.
For hair, our Buchu & Lavender Shampoo Blok contains the same sulfate-free surfactants praised in our article The Benefits of Sulfate-Free Shampoo. The result: a gentle lather that leaves strands light, bouncy and residue-free.
2. Waterless Bars Slash Your Carbon Footprint
Water is heavy to ship and bulky to store. Removing it lowers transport emissions dramatically, which is why a single Buchu & Charcoal Cold Process Soap Blok can save up to three plastic bottles from ever being produced. Pair your bar with our Recycled Plastic Soap Tray or Recycled Plastic Travel Case made from South African beach waste, and you have a routine that treads far more lightly on the planet.
3. No Preservatives Needed
Bacteria, mould and yeast thrive in water, which is why most liquid products rely on synthetic preservatives. By going waterless, Aardvel sidesteps the need for harsh antimicrobials that commonly trigger irritation. Our bars are suitable for sensitive skin and children alike. Curious about another star ingredient with natural preserving power? Read Rooibos for Skin: The Antioxidant-Rich Ingredient Your Routine Needs.
4. Longer-Lasting Formulas Save You Money
An average liquid cleanser lasts a month at best. A single Buchu & Tea Tree Cold Process Soap Blok, when stored on a well-drained rack, can last up to three months for one user. Our Lotion Bloks stretch even further: glide the Buchu & Rosemary Moisturising Blok over damp skin and watch it melt into a feather-light veil of nourishment that rivals any high-end body butter.
5. Travel-Friendly and Spill-Proof
Ever opened your suitcase to a shampoo explosion? Solid bars bypass the 100 ml liquid limit and weigh next to nothing. The slim Recycled Plastic Travel Case keeps your bar dry and mess-free, whether you are camping in the Cederberg or jetting to Joburg for a work trip.
6. Wild South African Botanicals in Every Bar
The soul of an Aardvel bar is Buchu, an indigenous fynbos plant beloved for centuries by Khoi and San communities. We source ours ethically from nearby cultivators and from responsible wild harvesters. In our Buchu & Tea Tree Shampoo Blok the leaf’s natural antiseptic qualities soothe itchy scalps, while tea tree adds antimicrobial muscle. For another botanical favourite, explore Rosemary in Skincare and Haircare to see why that herb anchors so many of our formulas.
Rosemary also stars in the image that inspired this post. Its crisp scent, sunny green needles and robust growth mirror our approach: simple, resilient, optimistic.
7. pH-Balanced for Both Skin and Planet
Aardvel bars are meticulously tuned to the skin’s natural pH of roughly 5.5, which helps maintain the acid mantle and microbiome. “Many commercial soaps lean alkaline,” notes Jakob, “which can leave the skin tight and impair barrier function.” Our cold process method, patient six-week cure and elimination of palm oil ensure a gentle finish that even eczema-prone customers applaud in reviews.
8. Ritual Over Routine
Waterless bars slow you down in the best way. Instead of squeezing a bottle and moving on, you glide a bar along wet skin or create a lather between your palms. It is tactile, grounding and fragrant. As one reviewer wrote, “Using the Buchu & Rooibos Lotion Blok feels like lighting a candle for my skin.” That mindful ethos aligns with our brand name itself, Aardvel, a blend of the Afrikaans words for earth and skin.
9. Support for Local Artisans and Reforestation
Every purchase plants a tree through Tree Nation and supports a network of small-scale soapmakers, herb farmers and packaging designers in the Western Cape. When you gift an Aardvel Gift Card, you are effectively investing in that regenerative loop. Our recent piece Father’s Day in the Cederberg tells the story of how these partnerships enrich both land and community.
10. Easy Transition Tips for First-Timers
Ready to make the switch? Here are some practical pointers.
- Patch-test your bar. Though our formulas avoid common allergens, everybody’s skin is unique.
- Invest in proper drainage. A well-ventilated rack like our Recycled Plastic Soap Tray prevents mushiness and extends longevity.
- Use warm water, not hot. It helps the bar glide while protecting natural oils.
- For hair, section first. Rub the Buchu & Rosemary Shampoo Blok directly on roots in a zig-zag pattern, massage, then rinse. Our guide How to Use a Shampoo Bar demonstrates the technique in detail.
- Store spares in a cool cupboard. The scent of Buchu and lavender makes linen smell divine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Shampoo Blok work on colour-treated hair?
Yes. Our bars are sulfate-free, low foam and infused with nourishing oils, so they will not strip dye molecules prematurely.
My skin is extremely dry. Can a soap bar really hydrate?
Our cold process method leaves a portion of plant oils unsaponified, which means they remain in the bar as emollients. Combine the Buchu & Rosemary Soap Blok with the Buchu & Rooibos Moisturising Blok and you will enjoy a double layer of hydration rich in antioxidants.
How long does it take for hair to adjust?
Most users report a one-week transition. Residue from past silicones may initially cause strands to feel different. Our article Olive Oil for Skin and Hair explains how plant lipids fill that gap, bringing shine and smoothness without synthetic coatings.
Closing Thoughts
Waterless skincare is more than a trend. It is a thoughtful return to the roots of personal care, where every ingredient earns its place and every ritual honours the land that grew it. From the scent of crushed Buchu leaves on an early Cederberg morning to the comforting weight of a Lotion Blok melting across damp skin, these moments invite us to reconnect with earth and self. As Jakob likes to remind the team, “Small squares can tell big stories.” We hope that your next bar becomes part of yours.
References
- Jakob Slabbert, founder of Aardvel
- Cederberg region, Western Cape, South Africa
- Khoi and San communities’ traditional use of Buchu
- Tree Nation reforestation projects
- Aardvel blog articles: The Benefits of Sulfate-Free Shampoo; Rosemary in Skincare and Haircare; Rooibos for Skin; Father’s Day in the Cederberg; How to Use a Shampoo Bar; Olive Oil for Skin and Hair
