Aqua: Water in cosmetics can do more than you think

Water is life – and that also applies to our skin. Water plays an important role in cosmetic products that is often underestimated. But this seemingly simple molecule is much more than just a filler.

In the INCI list, the list of ingredients of cosmetic products, we find water under the name Aqua , sometimes with the addition (Water) .

• Solvent: Water is the most important solvent in cosmetics. It dissolves the various ingredients and allows them to take effect on the skin. There are active ingredients that would not dissolve without the addition of water, as water is such a pure substance.
• Moisture: Water is necessary as moisture in the skin and together with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin , it also ensures a fresh appearance.
• Improving consistency: Water affects the consistency of creams, lotions and gels. It can make them easier to spread and more pleasant to use.

• Distilled water: Distilled water is the standard in cosmetics. It has been purified by heating and then condensing. It is free of minerals and salts.
• Softened water: Softened water has been freed from calcium and magnesium ions through ion exchange.
• Demineralized water: Demineralized water has been freed of all minerals and salts through various processes.
• Thermal water : This form of water comes from deep underground, where it is filtered through various rock layers and enriched with valuable minerals. These minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, give thermal water its unique properties that care for your skin in a very special way. Thermal water is also known as aqua.

The water is often additionally filtered.

In natural cosmetics, plant juices are often used as a water substitute. Plant juices are not necessarily better or worse. It depends on the individual whether you tolerate the plant juice or not. Water is the most compatible solvent of all and is always ideal in basic products.

If you want more antioxidant effects for your skin, you can look for plant juices. They also protect your skin from environmental influences and make it more resilient. Always make sure that they are of very good quality.

Natural aloe vera juice should always be paired with good moisturizers such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid so that your skin is well moisturized in the long term and your skin benefits from the effect accordingly. Cucumber water is also a very soothing plant juice for stressed skin.

Teas are particularly well tolerated, antioxidant-rich and effective. Each type, whether green tea, white tea, black tea or Pu Erh tea, has a different effect on the skin. Depending on the product, various types of tea make sense as a water substitute. Make sure that the teas are not flavored.

You should always avoid flower hydrolates. Flower hydrolates such as rose water , cornflower water, orange blossom water or witch hazel water can irritate the skin and cause inflammation. Unfortunately, rose water is recommended by many brands and also in poorly researched articles to soothe very sensitive skin. Flower hydrolates are very often used in creams and toners as a substitute for water. Often coupled with marketing that water is just a cheap filler. This is of course not correct. Better water than rose water and your skin will thank you. Water is not a filler, especially in basic products.