A water-free composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, in the form of a pencil with a cast or extruded lead or a workable paste which is suitable for cosmetic uses, in particular in the field of decorative cosmetics, for coloring, improving the appearance of and caring for keratinic materials such as for example the skin, semi-mucous membranes and mucous membranes, eyelashes, eyebrows and the hair. That preparation includes a specifically matched combination of water-soluble and lipid-soluble active substances in the form of a so-called “active substance cocktail”. The production and use of that composition are also described.