Water in Cosmetics: Not Just a Scam

Okay, y’all, let’s talk about water in your fancy skincare products. Specifically, how people are out here acting like water is some cheap filler that brands throw in to screw you over. When it comes to cosmetics, water somehow gets a bad rap, especially when you’ve just spent your life savings on a fancy moisturizer only to flip it over and see *aqua* listed as the first ingredient. It feels like you’re paying a fortune for a bottle that’s 90% water and 10% actual magic, right? 

Well, sit down and shut up, because that’s not the full story. Water is doing some *serious* heavy lifting in your beauty products, and it’s time we gave it the credit it deserves. Just because water is at the top of your ingredient list doesn’t mean you’ve been duped into buying overpriced H2O. In fact, water is doing some pretty important stuff behind the scenes. Like a beauty superhero, only… you know, less glamorous.  Let me explain.

Water: The MVP Solvent Your Skin Deserves

Water’s main gig in most products? Being a solvent. Which is just a fancy way of saying it helps dissolve other ingredients and keeps them from acting like that one overly dramatic friend who doesn’t get along with anyone. Picture this: I’m making soap (because I do that, I’m crafty and practical, unlike some people), and I dissolve sodium hydroxide into distilled water before mixing it with oils. Guess what happens without water? NO SOAP. Do you want to live in a world with no soap? I didn’t think so, because now you’re living like a medieval peasant.

Lotion vs. Body Butter: The Great Water Divide

Ever wondered why lotion feels light and creamy, while body butter is like rubbing frosting on your body (and yes, I see the appeal)? Water. Lotions require some kind of liquid—usually water—to mix the ingredients into that lovely smooth texture. Body butter? That’s pure oils and butters, baby. This is why lotions are light and creamy, and body butters are thicker than my anxiety on a Monday morning. Water gives lotion its light texture and helps it absorb quickly into your skin. No one wants to walk around with a thick, greasy sheen like they’re prepping for a bodybuilding competition.

Water: Keeping Your Skin from Starting a Riot

And let’s not forget the delicate balance water provides. Some ingredients are *too* powerful on their own—active ingredients and essential oils, I’m looking at you. Without water to dilute them, you’d be dealing with a skincare disaster. I’m talking red, irritated, angry skin that looks like you just insulted its mother. Believe me, you don’t want that drama. Water helps mellow things out, turning a product from “chemical warfare” to “pleasant afternoon stroll.”

But it’s not just about calming down the overachievers. Some ingredients simply work better when they’re dissolved in water. Think of water as the backstage crew that makes sure the show goes off without a hitch.

But Water Alone? Nah, Don’t Get It Twisted

Now, before we go turning water into the Beyoncé of the skincare world, let’s be clear: water isn’t some skincare savior all on its own. Splashing water on your face and calling it a day won’t cure your acne, reduce wrinkles, or give you that glow-from-within look. In fact, if you’ve ever had prune toes from a long bath, you know that too much water can actually dry you out. But in a product that’s formulated correctly? Water is a key player in making those active ingredients work their magic.

So, while water plays a crucial role in making sure your fancy ingredients do their thing, it’s not the hero. It’s more like the supporting actor—important, but not the one taking home the Oscar.

If It Has Water, It Needs a Preservative (AKA Don’t Let Your Face Cream Become a Swamp Ecosystem)

Listen, if your product has water in it, it *needs* a preservative. Full stop. Water + no preservative = bacteria breeding grounds, and unless you’re into the idea of jungle rot on your face, that’s a hard pass. So, if you see a brand selling “all-natural, preservative-free” products that contain water, RUN. If you’re still hell-bent on avoiding preservatives, fine. Just use your product *fast* and maybe keep it in the fridge. I’m not saying you’ll be using spoiled lotion after a week, but do you want to take that chance?

Not All Water Is Created Equal

Last but not least, let’s talk about the type of water in your products. No, it’s not coming from the tap, and thank goodness for that. Distilled water is the gold standard in cosmetics because it’s pure and free from microbes, metals, and other nasties that can mess with your skincare formula. Regular tap water? Not so much. Think of it like this: would you rather have a skincare product made with the purest, cleanest water possible, or something that contains trace amounts of rust and bacteria? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Do Your Research. And Thank Water for Its Service.

Here’s the takeaway: water isn’t some evil filler companies use to bulk up their products. It’s an essential part of the formula that makes your skincare actually work. So before you go throwing shade at that bottle of $80 moisturizer, take a second to appreciate the hard work water’s putting in. And as always, *do your own research* on ingredients, because knowledge is power, and it’ll keep you from buying stuff that’s all hype and no substance.

Personally, I find the whole ingredient deep dive fascinating, but hey, I also enjoy arguing with my cat about what constitutes acceptable keyboard behavior. Speaking of which, my cat helped me write this post. She walked across my keyboard like she was auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. She’s clearly very passionate about water in cosmetics.

TL;DR: Water in cosmetics isn’t filler, it’s functional. If your product has water, make sure it also has preservatives. And if it doesn’t? Run faster than you would from a “free” essential oils seminar.

*This is an updated post of a previous post.