워터 세이버 도즈

Traditional shampoo/conditioner products are sold in plastic containers, generating enormous amounts of packaging waste. Plastic containers used in salons and homes worldwide cause environmental pollution, but consumers have used individually packaged bottles for convenience.

In addition, excessive water use during hair washing is a problem. Statistics show that a typical household uses about 7 liters of water per shampoo, and salons use more than 570 liters of water per day [60][61]. Previously, there were alternatives such as refill stations or solid shampoos, but they still had limitations in terms of user experience and hygiene. In other words, there was a desperate need for a "hair care solution that protects the environment without sacrificing convenience."

The Water Saver Dose system is the first case to eliminate the plastic container itself [62]. Shampoo/treatments are supplied in biodegradable pods, measured for a single use, and after use, the pods completely dissolve in water, leaving no waste [62][63].

Users insert this pod into a slim dispenser and press a button, and the dispenser mixes a tiny amount of water to create a rich foam [64]. Precise metering and foaming technology are applied in this process, so only the optimal amount is always used, preventing product waste [60]. As a result, water usage is reduced by up to 80% compared to conventional methods, while maintaining the same cleaning effect [65].

In addition, by using various hair care pods like coffee capsules, consumers can conveniently choose according to the situation (e.g., for travel, for damaged hair, etc.). The combination of capsule-style convenience and eco-friendliness is what sets it apart. In summary, the innovation is that it achieves zero packaging waste and water saving at the same time by implementing "luxury hair care with one capsule" [60].

In B2B, high-end beauty salons that promote sustainable management are expected to actively adopt it. Salons with high water usage can improve their environmental image and reduce costs (water, waste disposal) by using this system, so premium salon chains are the target.

In B2C, individual consumers with high environmental awareness can bring it into their bathrooms, and initially, millennials and zero-waste pursuers who are familiar with refillable detergents will lead the way. If L'Oréal also releases a consumer model, it can be used in the bathroom like a household water purifier or coffee machine.

This solution is a model that generates continuous sales through pod sales, and L'Oréal can quickly spread it by utilizing its global salon and retail network. Following the Water Saver shower (water spray technology) introduced at CES 2021, this time it combines packaging innovation, and there is a high possibility of expanding the capsule product line to include skin care and body wash in the future.

Biodegradable pod technology is less affected by regional water quality, so there are few problems in global deployment. However, it is necessary to have a pod production and distribution infrastructure, and it is a challenge to keep the pod price from being more expensive than existing products. As environmental regulations are being strengthened, market entry can be accelerated by receiving related support policies or incentives.

Selected as a CES 2026 Beauty Tech Honoree, it was praised for realizing "a balance between beauty and sustainability" [66][62]. The industry responded that "L'Oréal has once again led the industry," and beauty industry officials in particular praised the completely plastic-free packaging [62].

In terms of technical completeness, there was a comment that "the patented technology that creates a sufficiently luxurious foam with little water" was impressive [64], and actual beauty salon operators expressed their intention to "introduce it because it is stylish to show to customers and can significantly reduce store waste." However, there were also concerns that if the pod price is higher than regular shampoo from the consumer's point of view, it will take time to become popular, and there are concerns about the need to manage (clean, etc.) the dispenser.

Overall, positive prospects are dominant, such as "the most realistic sustainable beauty product seen through CES" and "all salons may adopt it in the near future." Market verification depends on the pod refill economy and user experience, but the driving force of L'Oréal, a giant player, is even mentioning the possibility of industry standardization.