
Articles and guides
Practical advice, ingredients and stories about solid cosmetics.
In-depth guides
Choose a topic and find practical answers.







Ingredient Atlas
Ingredient origins, textures and practical answers about cosmetic labels.
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Solid Cosmetics School
Practical lessons for using, storing and travelling with solid cosmetics.
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Which One? Comparison Studio
Clear comparisons for the cosmetics you use, the routines you enjoy and the gifts you give.
Read the guideArticles: 776
Magnesium hydroxide
A pale powder in a deodorant can have a more interesting job than soaking things up. Magnesium hydroxide brings a mineral story, a surprising route from seawater, and a useful...
Coco-glucoside
Coconut and glucose make an unexpected partnership in the wash basin. Prepared together, they lead to a cleansing ingredient with a water-friendly side and a fatty side. Coco-glucoside’s story is...
Glyceryl stearate
A cream can owe some of its satisfying body to a material that begins as an off-white powder. Glyceryl Stearate is a familiar example: an ester that helps organise fatty...
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
Some shampoo names tell you almost nothing at first glance, yet describe ingredients that help make a wash feel familiar. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine is one: a prepared cleanser used to support...
Glyceryl oleate
A cleanser can contain a fatty ingredient whose job is to help the wash feel more caring. Glyceryl Oleate sits at that interesting meeting point: an oleic-acid and glycerin ester...
Cocamidopropyl betaine
There is more to a satisfying lather than the size of its bubbles. The way it spreads, holds together and rinses is part of the experience too. Cocamidopropyl betaine is...
Isopropyl alcohol
A familiar name from a household bottle can look surprising on a solid shampoo. Isopropyl alcohol's cosmetic story is about a carefully chosen solvent, not about the finished bar becoming...
Which one feels right for your life?
Clear comparisons for the cosmetics you use, the routines you enjoy and the gifts you give.
A fair comparison starts with a good question.
How the Studio uses product declarations, primary sources, everyday examples and original illustrations.
Shaving soap versus shaving cream
A brush ritual and a ready-to-use gesture can both work; compare the complete shave.
Cleansing balm versus water-rinsed facial cleanser
Many balms rinse with water too; compare the beginning of the routine as well as its ending.
Solid facial cleanser versus liquid facial cleanser
Face-cleansing purpose and the complete formula matter more than the shape on the shelf.



