Aqua …
Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Aqua, Eau, Water
The most widely used cosmetic ingredient | Functions as a solvent
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Aqua …?
Aqua/Water/Eau (also simply known as water) is the most frequently used cosmetic ingredient. Aqua/Water/Eau in skin care products is almost always listed first on an ingredient label because it is usually the ingredient with the highest concentration in the formula. Water’s primary function in skin care formulas is as a solvent.
Despite claims of skin’s need for hydration and claims regarding special types of water, it turns out that water for skin may not be as an important ingredient as commonly thought. Only a 10% concentration of water in the outer layer of skin is necessary for softness and pliability in this part of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum. Studies that have compared the water content of dry skin with that of normal or oily skin do not find a statistically significant difference in moisture levels between them.
Further, too much water can be a problem for skin because it can disrupt the essential substances in skin’s surface layers that keep it intact, smooth, and healthy-looking. As an example, recall how skin on your fingers and toes “prune” when you soak in the bathtub or other body of water for too long.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136 []
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Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351 []
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Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262 []
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