N1: Aqua/Water/Eau

TL;DR. This ingredient is the primary solvent and diluent in many beauty and personal care formulas. It dissolves compatible actives, salts, humectants, and surfactants, and sets the continuous phase for lotions, gels, cleansers, and sprays.

What does N1: Aqua/Water/Eau do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is the primary solvent and diluent in many beauty and personal care formulas. It dissolves compatible actives, salts, humectants, and surfactants, and sets the continuous phase for lotions, gels, cleansers, and sprays.

Is N1: Aqua/Water/Eau clean?

It is broadly accepted across clean-beauty frameworks and is generally well tolerated. The main formulation concern is quality control, including purification, microbial management, and preservation of the finished product.

Is N1: Aqua/Water/Eau sustainable?

It is naturally occurring and not assessed through biodegradability in the same way as organic compounds. Its sustainability profile depends on local availability, purification energy, manufacturing conservation practices, and responsible discharge management.

Is N1: Aqua/Water/Eau COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards, although it does not count as organic content. It fits Green Chemistry as a benign solvent and diluent, with the main considerations being resource efficiency and low-impact processing.

How does N1: Aqua/Water/Eau work chemically?

Chemically, it is a small polar molecule made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, with strong hydrogen-bonding behavior and broad solvent utility. It commonly makes up about 50 to 95% of lotions, cleansers, gels, and sprays, helps define pH behavior, and requires preservation when the formula can support microbial growth.

Last updated 2026-05-13