Abstract: One or more techniques, systems and articles of manufacture are described for a product that is dried and can subsequently be rehydrated to produce a cosmetic or pharmaceutical. A molded and dried preparation has water weight of greater than zero and less than 50 percent. The dried preparation is form by drying a liquid preparation that contains a base material, an active ingredient and an inactive ingredient. The molded and dried preparation is configured to be rehydrated with water or another aqueous based solution or emulsion. The preparation may rapidly dissolve with the solvent to obtain a ready-to-use liquid or semi-solid product for topical cosmetic or pharmaceutical application.