Mixing a controlled amount of agar with regular oral, dental or skin hygiene compositions allows manufacture of homogenous, semi-solid single-use lumps or beads (200). Agar or analogous structural gelling agents confer sufficient rigidity and a sufficiently high melting point for storage, yet allow disruption of the bead on the skin or in the mouth without residues. Dental or skin care packs (600) hold sufficient beads and optionally a disposable brush. Blister packs (124) carry cast in-situ beads of one or a variety of active compositions. Shape, colour and flavour variations (124C) motivate children towards dental care.