Water in Skin Care Products

Types of Water in Skin Care Products

Water, also found on cosmetic product labels as “aqua”, is found in almost every skin care product. This blog will focus on water in skin care products and water you use to wash your face.

How minerals in water affect your skin

In hard water, mineral salts like Ca2+ and Mg2+ can diminish the foaming ability of surfactants found in cleansing products, leading to the formation of soap scum and calcium deposits in bathtubs and sinks. These minerals also deposit o skin and hair. The reduced foaming of cleansers that these cause may prompt you to increase the amount of cleanser used, resulting in higher exposure to detergents. This can damage your skin barrier. This is why hard water can cause you to get dry skin.

Mineral salts in hard water react with the fatty acids in soaps, forming a substance called “metallic soap” that remains on the skin after rinsing unless washed off with ultra-pure soft water (UPSW). This metallic soap can act as a skin irritant and may trigger allergic responses. It disrupts the skin barrier both directly and by influencing the secretion of lamellar bodies from keratinocytes, a process regulated by Ca2+.

It’s important to note that the irritation potential of surfactants and detergents varies depending on the hardness (amount of Ca2+) of the water used.

Hard water and Eczema

Hard Water and Eczema

Studies have shown that washing with UPSW can decrease symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. However, if low concentrations of metallic ions persist in the water, there is no improvement in AD symptoms. In contrast, soft water containing remaining metallic ions does not prevent AD effectively. Research on mice by Tanaka et al. (3) demonstrated that metallic soap induced and worsened AD symptoms unless the mice were washed with UPSW that lacked multivalent cations. The UPSW itself did not exacerbate AD symptoms, but the presence of metallic soap did.

Why Is Water or Aqua The First Ingredient In Skincare Products?

Product labels have ingredients listed in a descending order or predominance.[i] Water, known by the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) as aqua, is often the ingredient that is found in the largest percent of the skin care product.

But all water is not created equal. Let’s talk about the importance of the source of water used in skin care products. Water used in the pharmaceutical industry in medications is very regulated.

Water is important in skin care for two main reasons:

It is in skin care products and medications

It is used in the skin care routine when washing the face and body

Which types of water are used in skin care products

What Type of Water is Used in Skin Care Products and Cosmetics?

Most skin care products use potable water, but some of the more expensive brands use USP Purified water.

These water classifications are discussed at the end of this blog.

Thermal Spa Water

Thermal Spa water is water that is taken from hot springs. It is also called thermal spring water.

This water has minerals in it that have effects on the skin. See the Table below tat compares minerals in different brands of thermal spa waters.

Each mineral has different effects on skin.

Calcium and magnesium can injure the skin barrier, especially when used with strong detergents. However, selenium soothes the skin while strontium reduces skin stinging. Putting thought into the type of water in your skin care can help you choose the best products for your skin concerns.

Minerals in Thermal Spring Water

Thermal spa waters, as found in renowned brands like La Roche-Posay and Avene, offer a host of beneficial minerals that can nourish and enhance the skin:

Selenium: Exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe and calm irritated skin. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from harmful free radicals and environmental stressors.

Sulphur: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, sulphur can help reduce redness and irritation while promoting skin healing, making it beneficial for acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Zinc: Possessing anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, zinc aids in calming the skin and reducing irritation. It also contributes to wound healing and can be beneficial for acne-prone skin.

Magnesium: Essential for overall skin health, magnesium helps combat stress and soothes the skin. Additionally, research suggests that certain magnesium salts and a mixture of magnesium and calcium salts can accelerate skin barrier recovery, further supporting the skin’s health and function.

Calcium: Crucial for skin barrier repair, calcium plays a vital role in maintaining the skin’s integrity and function. It affects lamellar body secretion from keratinocytes, which are specialized organelles responsible for producing and secreting lipids that contribute to the skin barrier.

The rich mineral composition in thermal spa waters from brands like La Roche-Posay and Avene provides a myriad of benefits, nourishing the skin and promoting a healthy, radiant complexion. These minerals work synergistically to support the skin’s natural functions and address various skin concerns, making thermal spa waters a valuable addition to skincare routines.

Table And List Of Types Of Thermal Spa Waters And Their Contents

table of minerals in thermal spa water

Micellular Water or Micelle Water

Micelle water is composed of mild detergents that form micelles in soft water. Micellular water looks and feels like water but is actually a facial cleanser with surfactants.

It is not a great choice for dry, sensitive skin types so make sure you take our skin type quiz and get our skin care product recommendations. Once you know your Baumann Skin Type, you can read product reviews and shop using your skin type number.

Take the Quiz

Tap Water

Tap water is a form of potable water that comes from a municipality’s water supply. It may have minerals in it such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water, such as the water in New York City, is tap water with a lot of minerals. My hometown of Lubbock, Texas has soft water with fewer minerals. They used to add fluoride to the water when I was growing up there to prevent teeth cavities. Some cities such as Miami where I live now add chlorine to the tap water to prevent algae growth. These minerals have ions that affect skin cleansing, the skin barrier and skin inflammation. This is one reason why you may need a different skin care routine in each city that you go to.

Tap water is often used to make skin care products. As you can see- there is a lot of variability of minerals found in tap water that will affect the final skin care product.

Is tap water safe to include in skin care products?

Distilled Water

Distilled water is considered non-potable water. (It is not suitable for drinking because it has no salt or minerals and is acidic). It is demineralized. It is often made by boiling water and collecting the steam which has no minerals or microorganisms in it. Distilled water is a good choice for cosmetic products.

Deionized water

Deionized water, also called DI water, has had ions from minerals such as sodium and potassium ions. Deionizing water does not remove microorganisms from the water.

Filtered Water

Tap water that has been run through filters to remove chlorine to improve the taste.

Purified Water

Water must meet clear specifications to be considered USP purified water. Purified water may be susceptible to biofilms, undesirable levels of viable microorganisms, or endotoxins. For this reason, the purification process is continuously validated in order to ensure that water has acceptable chemical and microbiological quality.

Classification of Water

Water found in skin care products is comes from one of two sources:

Produced on-site where used from an internal water system. This is called bulk water

Packaged water that is purchased from elsewhere

The type of water used can affect how well skin care products work.

The ideal water to use in skin care products is sterile water- but this is too expensive. For this reason, USP purified water is the second best type of water used in skin care products. It is combined with preservatives in skin care products. Most companies use potable water because is the cheapest.

Because most organic products do not have preservatives, the type of water used in organic skin care products is very important.

Water can be divided into many types. These are the types of water seen in cosmetics:

Potable water-

Potable water is water that comes from surface and ground sources. It comes from municipal water systems but may also be drawn from wells, rivers, or ponds. It is treated to remove microorganisms, toxic chemicals and fecal matter. Thermal spring water is an example of potable water.

Potable water does have microbes in it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulations establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for various contaminants.

Potable water is the most common type of water used in cosmetics and skin care products.

US Purified Water

Purified water is most commonly used in the production of non-sterile products intended to be injected or implanted in the skin or body. Purified water systems are susceptible to microbes so they must be monitored and sanitized.

High end skin care products and cosmetics may use USP Purified water, but they are more expensive than those that use potable water.

Sterile water

This water is for the processing of sterile products intended to be used intravenously. It has been packaged and rendered sterile. This water is used in dermal fillers and Botox, but not usually in skin care products because of the cost.

What Type Of Water Is Used Most Commonly In Skin Care Products?

High end skin care products and cosmetics may use USP Purified water, but most use potable water such as thermal spa water, tap water or filtered water.

Looking for a skin care routine for your skin type?

We can help you build a skin care routine from the best medical grade skin care brands.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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