Aqua
INCI · Aqua · also Water, Eau
Overview
Purified water, and in most skincare the single largest ingredient by weight. It is the solvent everything water-soluble dissolves into and the phase an emulsion is built around, which is why it usually sits first on an ingredient list.
Who it's for
Almost every product that is not an anhydrous oil, balm or powder — its position at the top of a list is a statement about format, not about quality.
Cautions
Water on skin evaporates and can leave skin drier than before if nothing holds it there, which is the reason moisturisers pair humectants with an occlusive layer rather than relying on water alone. Water-containing products also need a preservative system, since water is what microbes grow in.
- Effective from
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- Max safe
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What does Aqua do in skincare?
Purified water, and in most skincare the single largest ingredient by weight. It is the solvent everything water-soluble dissolves into and the phase an emulsion is built around, which is why it usually sits first on an ingredient list.
Is Aqua considered safe for skin?
Water on skin evaporates and can leave skin drier than before if nothing holds it there, which is the reason moisturisers pair humectants with an occlusive layer rather than relying on water alone. Water-containing products also need a preservative system, since water is what microbes grow in.