INCI Name
Aqua (Water)
Botanical Name
N/A (purified water)
Distilled water (Aqua) is purified water free from minerals, ions, and contaminants. It is the most common solvent and base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, providing hydration and ensuring stability of other actives. Essential in creams, serums, toners, and cleansers, it forms the foundation of water-based products.
Solvent, diluent, base ingredient
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
1–90% depending on formulation type
Acts as a neutral base and universal solvent in cosmetic formulations; provides hydration support
Primary Components:
H₂O (purified, mineral-free)
None when cosmetic-grade distilled water is used
Preferred Extraction Method:
Distillation (purification)
Use sterile, cosmetic- or pharmaceutical-grade distilled water; store in clean, sealed containers
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
