The present invention relates to the use in cosmetics of rigid gels containing at least 20% by weight of one or more water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent(s) which may be obtained from the said water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent in the presence of water by mixing, blending, compression and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder. These gels constitute novel pharmaceutical forms for cosmetic or dermatological use. These gels are generally in the form of sticks, pencils or cakes. They may be aqueous with a matrix consisting of an aqueous gelled network. They may be in anhydrous form with a matrix consisting of a dehydrated gelled network. They may constitute many products in solid form applied to making up, to care of and/or to treatment of the skin, the scalp, the hair or the mucous membranes, or alternatively applied to the hygiene of the body, the skin, the scalp, the hair or the mucous membranes.