Aqua/Water/Eau

📋 Quick facts

Description: Aqua/Water/Eau — solvent, base/carrier for virtually all skincare formulations.

All Functions: solvent, base/carrier for virtually all skincare formulations

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Also Known As: Water, Aqua, Purified Water, Eau, Deionized Water, agua, água, wasser, вода, vatten, vand
• Comedogenic Rating: 0/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Water is the foundation of many skincare products, particularly thermal waters from natural springs
• Natural mineral waters have different compositions and properties depending on their source
• Thermal waters are used at spas without any treatment, maintaining consistent mineral content
• Some thermal waters have a long history of use for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
• Thermal waters must meet strict standards for purity and consistency to be used therapeutically

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Water appears as a clear, nontoxic liquid composed of hydrogen and oxygen, essential for life and the most widely used solvent. Include water in a mixture to learn how it could react with other chemicals in the mixture. Water is an oxygen hydride consisting of an oxygen atom that is covalently bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It has a role as an amphiprotic solvent, a mouse metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, a member of greenhouse gas, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a human metabolite. It is an oxygen hydride, a mononuclear parent hydride and an inorganic hydroxy compound. It is a conjugate base of an oxonium. It is a conjugate acid of a hydroxide. Water (chemical formula: H2O) is a transparent fluid which forms the world’s streams, lakes, oceans and rain, and is the major constituent of the fluids of organisms. As a chemical compound, a water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms that are connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice; and gaseous state, steam (water vapor).

Source(s): ChEBI, CAMEO Chemicals, DrugBank, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

0/5

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Water serves as a base ingredient in skincare, but not all water is created equal—particularly when it comes to mineral-rich thermal waters. #1: Natural mineral waters can be characterized by their distinct thermal, mineral, and physicochemical properties, meaning the temperature, mineral content, and chemical makeup vary from source to source (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2020). France alone has approximately 90 spas where thermal waters are used, with over 600,000 patients annually benefiting from these waters’ therapeutic properties (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2020). #2: Historically, dermatologists in the 19th century—including Jean-Louis Alibert—used mineral waters, particularly sulfurous varieties, to address inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and chronic eczema (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2020).

When patients couldn’t travel to thermal stations, pharmacists created artificial versions by combining water with minerals to mimic natural spring water composition (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2020). #3: Modern thermal waters used in skincare products are held to rigorous standards; regulatory requirements demand high standards on origin, bacteriological purity, and physicochemical stability (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2017). Some specific thermal waters, like Avène thermal spring water, have been studied in clinical trials to verify their therapeutic properties for sensitive skin (Ann Dermatol Venereol, 2017). However, the sources provided focus primarily on thermal and mineral waters rather than water as a general skincare ingredient, so claims about plain water’s benefits in typical formulations are not supported here.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Nguyen Ba C (2020). Eau thermale : minéralité et autres composants: Thermal water: minerality and other components. Ann Dermatol Venereol.
• Cribier B (2020). Eaux thermales et thermalisme en dermatologie au xix(e) siècle: Thermal water and hydrotherapy in xix(th) century dermatology. Ann Dermatol Venereol.
• Selas B (2017). Histoire du thermalísme à Avène-les-Bains et genèse de l’eau thermale d’Avène: History of thermalism at Avène-les-Bains and genesis of the Avène thermal spring water. Ann Dermatol Venereol.
• Lloyd L (2024). EAU à la mode. Nat Rev Urol.
• KLEIN MS (1958). [Water]. Scalpel (Brux).

🧴 Products Containing Aqua/Water/Eau

• Body Shop Canneberge givrée beurre corporel
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ALMOND MILK & HONEY For Sensitive, Dry Skin
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ginger scalp serum
• Roots of strength body shop
• Christophe Robin Scrub lavant purifiant
• Charlotte Tilbury magic eye
• Apivita Tonic lotion
• KORRES Travel Size Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
• Carol’s Daughter Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer
• Eugène Perma, Pétrole Hahn Shampooing force protection, l’original bleu
• By Veira Curl Shampoo
• Hask Rose Oil & Peach Shampoo
• Jonzac Jonzac Rehydrate Light Moisturizing Cream Bio 50ML (sensitive Skin)
• Léa Nature, So Bio Etic Précieux Argan Eau micellaire anti-âge
• Léa Nature natessance kids shampooing douceur
• lea nature bb creme peau parfaite
• Lea Nature Concentré coco nourrissant
• davines Purifying Shampoo
• Sebastian Shampoing hydratant Hydre
• Wella Nutri-enrich invigo
• Caudalie Vinoperfect crème mains anti taches
• Caudalie Soin corps nourrissant Thé des Vignes
• Caudalie Vinotherapist Crème réparatrice mains et ongles
• Caudalie Crème sorbet hydratant Vinosource
• keratin shampoo
• Merry Christmas Green Tea (Thé Vert) soap
• Eugène Perma, Pétrole Hahn Shampooing stop pellicules classique, cheveux normaux
• Aveeno. SCALP SOOTHING HAIRCARE SHAMPOO Clarify &
• pixi Clarity Tonic
• Revlon Natural Honey gel de ducha hidratante con aceite de almendras
• Coty Eau de toilette mujer Prêt à Porter
• OGX Bamboo fiver-full shampoo
• Garnier Fructis style leave in cream
• garnier fructis sleek and shine
• ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
• Tula Tula moisturiser +spf30
• Tula Tula bright start
• Tula TULA sun protection measures
• Tula TULA gentle daily facial cleanser
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop Baume mains renfort protecteur