Researched by Helena DeMaria-Williams
Formula IngredientSolventWater
INCI: Aqua
Water (INCI: Aqua) is the most common cosmetic ingredient, used as the primary solvent to dissolve and carry water-soluble actives, humectants, and other ingredients in a formulation. Cosmetic-grade water is purified and deionised to remove mineral ions, which improves product stability and prevents microbial contamination. It forms the base of most creams, serums, toners, and lotions.
Category
Solvent
Irritation Risk
Low
Skin Types
all skin types, oily, dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone
What does this do in a formula?
solvent base, dissolves active ingredients, improves spreadability, hydration vehicle
Is Water safe? Key considerations
Can Water cause irritation?
Low RiskWater is non-irritating at all cosmetic concentrations. No EU CosIng Annex II or III restrictions apply. Prolonged skin exposure to water (e.g. extended bathing) can disrupt the skin barrier and cause dryness — but this is not a concern with normal topical cosmetic use.
Does Water increase sun sensitivity?
No RiskWater does not increase photosensitivity. No sun protection precautions are required based on its presence in a formulation.
Is Water safe during pregnancy?
SafeWater is universally considered safe at all stages of pregnancy. No reproductive or developmental concerns are noted in any safety database.
How does Water work?
Water (INCI: Aqua) is the most common cosmetic ingredient, used as the primary solvent to dissolve and carry water-soluble actives, humectants, and other ingredients in a formulation. Cosmetic-grade water is purified and deionised to remove mineral ions, which improves product stability and prevents microbial contamination. It forms the base of most creams, serums, toners, and lotions.
Which products contain Water?
Shop products that contain Water
Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser
Ceramide Np
£19.00View →
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
Glycolic Acid: 7%Salicylic Acid: 0.5%
£15.00View →
Starter Retinol Serum
Granactive Pro+: 1%Retinal: 0.01%
£12.00View →
Advanced 0.2% Retinal Serum
Retinal: 0.2%Sirtalice: 2%
£15.00View →
Exosome Glow Serum
Plant Derived Exosomes: 1%Prickly Pear Extract
£20.00View →
Caffeine Eye Cream
Caffeine: 0.3%Matrixyl 3000
£10.00View →
Oat Cleansing Balm
Oat Kernal Oil: 3%Colloidal Oatmeal: 1%
£12.00View →
Omega Water Cream
Ceramide Complex: 0.2%Glycerin: 5%
£11.00View →
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: 2%Matrixyl 3000
£9.00View →
Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30
Polyglutamic AcidGlycerin
£15.00View →
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: 2%Matrixyl 3000
£16.00View →
Supersize Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Salicylic Acid: 2%Allantoin: 0.5%
£18.00View →
360° Skin Clearing Serum
Dioic Acid: 1%Salicylic Acid: 2%
£16.00View →
Supersize Omega Water Cream
Ceramide Complex: 0.2%Glycerin: 5%
£16.50View →
Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Ectoin: 2%Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: 2.5%
£15.00View →
15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
Ascorbyl Glucoside Vitamin C: 15%Epitensive Egf Epidermal Growth Factor: 1%
£15.00View →
Milk Cleanser
Rice Milk: 5%Hyaluronic Acid
£13.00View →
10% Niacinamide Serum
Niacinamide: 10%Hyaluronic Acid
£10.00View →
Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Salicylic Acid: 2%Allantoin: 0.5%
£12.00View →
Supersize Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: 2%Matrixyl 3000
£22.00View →
Hydrating Face Mist
Hydroviton Insta: 3%Aquaxl: 3%
£11.00View →
Collagen Peptide Serum
Matrixyl 3000Syn Tacks
£15.00View →
Biome Balancing Moisturiser
Hexapeptide Complex: 2%Green Tea Extract: 1%
£12.00View →
1% Retinol Serum
Retinol: 1%Apricot Kernal Oil: 5%
£23.00View →
Glycerin Gentle Purifying Cleanser
Glycerin: 20%Centella Complex: 3%
£13.00View →
Retinol Serum
Retinyl Acetate:1%.granactive Retinoid:0.5%Squalane
£14.00View →
PHA Body Water Cream
Pha Gluconolactone: 3%Jojoba
£13.00View →
Succinic Acid Treatment
Succinic Acid: 2%Sulfur Powder: 2%
£11.00View →
Glycolic Acid Toner
Glycolic Acid: 10%Witch Hazel: 5%
£13.00View →
Brighten-i Eye Cream
Brightenyl: 2%Mica: 0.7%
£15.00View →
Peptide Moisturiser
Royal Epigen P5: 2%Hydrating Peptide Solution: 1%
£16.00View →
Retinol Eye Cream
Vitalease Retinol: 3%
£13.00View →
Blemish Clearing Moisturiser with 2% Novoretin
Novoretin: 2%Stay C 50: 5%
£19.00View →
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Polyglutamic Acid Complex: 3%Invisaskin: 2%
£15.00View →
Vitamin B, C and E Moisturiser
Vitamin B3 NiacinamideVitamin C
£9.00View →
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Serum
Salicylic Acid: 2%Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid: 1%
£10.00View →
Fulvic Acid Cleanser
Nordic Beauty Peat: 0.5%Kakadu Plum Complex: 1.5%
£12.00View →
PHA Toner
Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone: 3%Niacinamide: 3%
£13.00View →
10% Azelaic Acid Serum for Redness Relief
Azelaic Acid: 10%Allantoin: 0.3%
£16.00View →
Tranexamic Acid Serum
Tranexamic Acid: 2%Acai Berry Extract: 2%
£16.00View →
C-50 Blemish Night Treatment
Stay C 50: 5%Salicylic Acid: 2%
£16.00View →
20% Niacinamide Serum
Niacinamide: 20%Zinc Pca: 0.5%
£16.00View →
10% Urea Moisturiser
Urea: 10%Collodial Oat: 1%
£19.00View →
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Hyaluronic acid: 2%Ceramides
£8.80View →
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Glycolic acid: 7%Aloe barbadensis leaf water
£8.00View →
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Copper tripeptide 1Lactococcus ferment lysate
£28.90View →
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Niacinamide: 10%Zinc pca: 1%
£5.00View →
Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm
SqualaneAmino acids
£8.50View →
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
CaffeineEpigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside
£8.40View →
Matrixyl 10% + HA
Palmitoyl tripeptide 1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide 7
£10.40View →
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Sodium hyaluronateArginine
£6.10View →
Argireline Solution 10%
Argireline: 10%
£9.20View →
PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
GluconolactoneEctoin
£7.60View →
Squalane Cleanser
SqualaneSucrose stearate
£14.90View →
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Decyl glucosideCoco Glucoside
£11.10View →
UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
HomosalateOctisalate
£15.80View →
Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides
GlycosphingolipidsGlycolipids
£9.60View →
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Glycolipids
£11.10View →
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum
Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucosideNiacinamide
£19.90View →
Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
Saccharomyces fermentSqualane
£12.40View →
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Azelaic acid
£27.40View →
Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Lactococcus ferment lysateAcetyl hexapeptide 8
£15.90View →
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
Amino acidsCeramides
£12.00View →
Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
Myristoyl pentapeptide 17Biotinoyl tripeptide 1
£14.20View →
GF 15% Solution
IgfEgf. tgf
£13.50View →
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Glycolic acidLactic acid
£8.90View →
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Alpha Arbutin: 2%Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate
£10.50View →
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Hydroxypinacolone retinoateRetinol
£11.00View →
Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate
SulfurL Carnitine
£9.00View →
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Salcylic acid: 2%Saccharide isomerate
£6.10View →
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Centella asiatica phytotechnologiesCeramides
£17.30View →
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion
Amino acidsUrea
£13.80View →
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Ascorbyl glucoside: 12%
£14.10View →
Marine Hyaluronics
Pseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharidesPseudoalteromonas ferment extract
£8.80View →
Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion
Niacinamide: 5%
£11.70View →
Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair
Sodium laureth sulfate
£8.80View →
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Salicylic acid: 2%Kaolin
£25.10View →
Amino Acids + B5
BetaineArginine
£8.80View →
Balancing & Clarifying Serum
SarcosineL Carnitine
£20.20View →
Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum
Ascorbyl glucosideGinseng extract
£14.20View →
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Lactic acid: 5%Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
£7.70View →
Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum
Salicylic acid: 0.5%
£14.30View →
Multi-Active Delivery Essence
GlycerinPropanediol
£10.60View →
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Lactic acid: 10%Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
£8.80View →
Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderN Acetyl glucosamine
£12.90View →
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Mandelic acid: 10%Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
£7.40View →
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
Sodium hyaluronateSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
£7.90View →
Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion
Rice lipidsEctoin
£21.50View →