Toothpaste Tablets: Benefits, Opportunities, and What’s Next
Toothpaste tablets aren’t just a novelty on eco-conscious shelves anymore. They’re now a part of a bigger movement toward waterless, sustainable, and travel-ready formats. Globally, the toothpaste market alone is projected to surpass $30 billion by 2030, with tablets quickly gaining traction as brands and consumers seek alternatives to bulky tubes and plastic waste (1).
However, toothpaste is just the beginning. Tablets are opening the door to entirely new possibilities in personal care. Formats that are more eco-friendly, consumer-friendly, and stable. Here’s why this trend is worth paying attention to, and how brands can innovate beyond the basics.
Why Toothpaste Tablets Work
Traditional toothpaste is up to 40% water and packaged in non-recyclable tubes. Tablets solve multiple pain points at once:
Convenience: Easy to carry, TSA-approved, and no mess in travel bags.
Sustainability: Drastically reduce single-use plastics and water use.
Dosing Accuracy: One tablet = one brush. No waste, no guesswork.
Shelf Life: Stable, portable, and less prone to drying out than tubes.
From a branding perspective, tablets offer differentiation in a crowded category while aligning with consumer demand for eco-conscious products.
Beyond Brushing: Other Tablet Innovations
Toothpaste tablets may have led the charge, but the same technology is driving a wave of other waterless, tablet-based products:
Mouthwash Tablets: Dissolve in a small amount of water for a portable, eco-friendly rinse. Perfect for travel kits and refill packs.
Probiotic Chewable Tablets: Support oral microbiome health after brushing, pairing well with toothpaste tablets for a complete oral wellness line.
Beauty & Skincare Tablets: Dissolvable cleansers, face wash tablets, peptide serum tablets, and even shampoo tablets are gaining traction in the personal care aisle. These formats reduce packaging and offer consumers flexibility in how they use and activate the product.
Functional Wellness Tablets: Collagen chews, vitamin-infused dissolving tablets, or immunity-boosting tabs that blur the line between supplements and personal care.
These categories all build from the same consumer drivers: sustainability, convenience, and innovation.
What Brands Need to Consider
Formulating tablets for personal care isn’t exactly the same as for dietary supplements. It requires its own creativity and technical expertise in the space. Key considerations include:
Binders & Texture: Tablets need the right balance of hardness and mouthfeel. Too chalky, and consumers won’t come back.
Flavor & Aftertaste: Mint profiles dominate, but berry, citrus, and herbal blends are emerging. Flavor masking is crucial to consumer adoption.
Stability & Packaging: Moisture protection is critical. Blister packs, compostable sachets, or refillable jars with desiccants help keep tablets fresh.
Positioning: “Plastic-free,” “travel-ready,” and “waterless” resonate strongly in marketing claims.
The Market Outlook
The global waterless beauty and personal care market is forecast to grow at a double-digit CAGR through 2030 (2), driven by consumer demand for sustainability and brands’ need for differentiation. Tablets sit at the intersection of these trends, offering both form and function.
Forward-thinking brands are already bundling formats, like toothpaste tablets + probiotic chews + mouthwash tablets, to create complete routines that reduce waste while amplifying convenience.
FAQs About Toothpaste Tablets
Are toothpaste tablets as effective as regular toothpaste?
Yes. When properly formulated with remineralizing agents, they deliver the same oral care benefits.
Do they work without water?
They’re designed to be chewed and brushed with a wet toothbrush, but many brands are experimenting with dual-use options for camping and travel.
What makes them more sustainable?
They eliminate non-recyclable tubes, cut shipping weight, and extend shelf life without preservatives.
Factory6: Bringing Tablet Innovation to Life
At Factory6, we specialize in tablets that do more. From nutraceuticals to personal care, we help brands develop products that push the boundaries of flavor, function, and format.
Whether you’re exploring toothpaste tablets, probiotic chews, or expanding into other waterless personal care products, our team is here to bring your vision to life with science-backed formulations, precise production, and premium quality.
Ready to launch the next big thing in tablets?
