Distilled Water

Functional, Actives & Additives

Aqua, H₂O

Distilled water is water that has been purified through distillation, heated to produce steam, then condensed back to liquid,removing virtually all dissolved minerals, impurities, and microorganisms. In cosmetic formulation, distilled water is the standard for all water-containing formulas because its purity eliminates variables that could affect formula stability, preservation, and performance.

We include distilled water in our ingredient library in the spirit of complete transparency. It is listed as "Aqua" on our ingredient labels, and we want customers to know exactly what that means and why we use it. In our soap formulas it is used to dissolve the lye before combining with oils. In our haircare and skincare formulas, it forms the water phase of the formula.

How It Works

The minerals present in tap water, calcium, magnesium, and various trace elements,can interfere with saponification in soap, reduce preservative effectiveness in water-based formulas, and cause instability in emulsions. Distilled water eliminates all of these variables, giving us a consistent, predictable base for every formula we make. Its purity also supports the effectiveness of our preservative system,Geogard ECT, by removing the mineral load that can challenge broad-spectrum preservation.

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.