The Truth About Water In Skincare

Is water in skincare really that bad?

You may see Aqua (Water) listed on many of your skincare products. You may have also seen some people slating the use of water in such products. This is for varying reasons such as

The need for a preservative

If a product contains water then its likely going to need to use a preservative. One reason people are against products in water is this. Some preservatives get a bad rep and people wish to avoid; Parabens, Phenoxyethanol are the main two people demonize. There are so many preservatives out there that are perfectly safe for use, providing they are used in the correct amounts. You can also find things such as Sorbic Acid and Benzyl alcohol which are classed as natural preservatives.

The fact is, preservatives are there to protect us from mould, fungus and yeast. These cannot always be seen by the naked eye, and can cause serious skin issues. If you are worried about rpeservatives research them and find which you are more comfortable with, if any. But remember, most things that contain water, or are likely to sit in your shower room and are likely to get water in (scrubs, and shampoo and conditioners – both of these have exceptions) will benefit from a prservative. My scrubs and shampoo and conditioners both use preservative eco a natural preservative. On a side note, a true bar soap does NOT need preservative because of its PH)

Often touted as a cheap filler ingredient

People believe its just a cheap filler to bulk out a product to make more profit. Maybe in some cases? I dunno

Concerns of evaporation

Questions over whether or not the water evaporates before it has chance to do any good, thus making it a waste, and bringing us back to the cheap filler.

So, should you avoid products containing water? Lets see why water can be beneficial in skincare

Hydration Hero

Water is an excellent hydrator. It helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, keeping it plump and smooth. Many skincare products rely on water to deliver hydration to the skin, particularly in products like toners and hydrating serums. Without water, these products would be far less effective in providing that immediate boost of moisture.

Solvent for Active Ingredients

Water acts as a solvent, allowing active ingredients to dissolve and be distributed evenly throughout the product. Many powerful skincare ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and certain vitamins, are water-soluble. Without water, these ingredients couldn’t penetrate the skin effectively.

Improves Product Texture and Feel

Water contributes to the texture and spreadability of skincare products. It helps create lightweight formulations that are easy to apply and feel comfortable on the skin. Products without water can sometimes feel heavy, greasy, or difficult to apply evenly.

Supports Skin Health

Water-based products can be particularly beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as they tend to be lighter and less likely to clog pores compared to oil-based products. Water also helps maintain the skin’s natural balance, supporting its overall health and function.

Both skincare containing water, and waterless products have their role. Waterless tends to be heavier and more greasy. generally great for locking in moisture, but not providing it (theres no water of course!) = though applying to damp skin can help lock in the hydration.

Whilst a well rounded product containing water really helps hydrate your skin

It depends on skin type, skin issues, and of course what you prefer.

I create a range of both water containing and waterless products to cater to peoples needs.

My water containing products are the face serums, hand and foot creams, eye serum, baby creams (yet to launch) and magnesium balm. Other products that do contain preservatives are my body scrubs, shampoo and conditioners, face cleansers and exfoliators