ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (the lye-solution water)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient (the base of every water-containing product)
Water is the largest ingredient in most ORY® products and the one whose quality matters most — for stability, preservation, and skin compatibility. Two words that sound alike mean opposite things. Deionized (DI) water has had its dissolved mineral ions (calcium, magnesium, iron, chloride) removed by ion-exchange resins; distilled water achieves the same by evaporation. This is the water cosmetic science requires: dissolved minerals in tap water precipitate soap, destabilize emulsions, deactivate preservatives, and — as a controlled study showed — hard water increases surfactant deposition and skin irritation, especially in eczema-prone skin [1]. “Ionized” (alkaline, electrolyzed) water, by contrast, is a wellness product with added alkalinity; it has no demonstrated topical benefit, and its high pH conflicts with the skin’s naturally acidic surface (pH ~4.7–5.5), which protects the barrier and its resident microflora [2]. ORY® therefore formulates with deionized or distilled water, adjusts every product to skin-friendly pH, and preserves it properly, because purified water is also the most microbe-friendly ingredient in any formula [3].
What is Ionized Water made of?
Purified water for cosmetics is produced from municipal water by deionization (ion exchange), reverse osmosis, or distillation, then filtered and, ideally, UV-treated. Points to know [1–3]:
- Deionized water: Ions removed; conductivity <10 µS/cm; the standard formulation water; pH ~6–7 (unbuffered, drifts easily).
- Distilled water: Evaporated and condensed; equivalent purity; preferred by many soap makers.
- USP Purified Water: The pharmacopoeial standard (conductivity, total organic carbon, microbial limits) that ORY® targets.
- “Ionized”/alkaline water: Electrolyzed to pH 8–10; no cosmetic-science basis; not used as a formulation water by ORY® because product pH is set deliberately to 4.5–6 for skin and hair.
- Hard water: 60–180+ mg/L calcium/magnesium; the reason for chelators (GLDA, citrate) in cleansers and soap.
- Microbial risk: Water supports bacterial, yeast, and mold growth — every water-containing product must be preserved and made with fresh, purified water [3].
What skin type is best suited for Ionized Water?
Purified water is the base of products for all seven ORY® skin types; its purity and the final pH matter most for sensitive skin:
- Sensitive: Purified (mineral-free) water reduces surfactant deposition and irritation, particularly in eczema-prone skin [1]; products are pH-balanced to the acid mantle [2].
- Dry: Water phase carries humectants (glycerin, sodium PCA, hyaluronate); purity keeps them stable.
- Oily and Acne-prone: Oil-free water-based gels and toners.
- Combination and Normal: Base of every lotion, serum, and toner.
- Mature: Stable, well-preserved water phase protects active-rich serums.
What hair type is best suited for Ionized Water?
Purified water is the base of every shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in, and mineral-free water also matters at the point of use:
- Dry or damaged: Hard-water minerals coat and dull hair; ORY® uses purified water in formulas and chelators for hard-water washing.
- Color-treated: Mineral-free formulas and chelating rinses slow color fading and brassiness caused by copper and iron.
- Curly and coily: Water is the primary moisturizer of curls; water-based leave-ins and refresh mists.
- Straight, wavy, oily scalp, sensitive scalp, dandruff-prone, mature or thinning: Purified, pH-balanced water base for all.
What are the benefits of Ionized Water?
The benefits are those of purity, correct pH, and preservation [1–3]:
- Reduced irritation: Mineral-free water lowers surfactant deposition and irritation versus hard water [1].
- Emulsion and gel stability: No calcium/magnesium to break emulsions or thin gels.
- Preservative efficacy: Purity and chelation keep preservatives active [3].
- Consistent soap: Distilled/DI water gives predictable lye solutions and no mineral scum.
- Skin-friendly pH: ORY® adjusts every product to pH 4.5–6, matching the acid mantle [2].
- Hydration vehicle: Carries humectants and water-soluble actives into the skin and hair.
- Aloe or hydrosol substitution: The water phase can be partly replaced with aloe juice or floral waters for added benefit.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Purified water is the foundation of all four ORY® lines.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Water phase of toners, serums, lotions, creams, gels, masks, cleansers (typically 50–90% of the formula). |
50–95% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Water phase of shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, sprays, scalp tonics. |
60–95% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Distilled or deionized water dissolves the lye (typically 25–38% of oil weight, "water discount" adjustable); liquid soap dilution. |
25–38% of oil weight (lye water) |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Water phase of foundations, setting sprays, mascaras, gel products. |
30–90% |
Pros and cons of Ionized Water
Pros
Cons
- Purity prevents instability and irritation: [1].
- Foundation of hydration: Vehicle for all water-soluble actives.
- pH control: Set to the acid mantle [2].
- Inexpensive: Purification is low-cost.
- Universal: Every line.
- Microbial risk: Requires preservation and clean handling [3].
- “Ionized” marketing confusion: Alkaline water conflicts with skin pH and has no topical evidence — ORY® should clarify labeling.
- Hard-water sensitivity at point of use: Customers in hard-water areas need chelating products.
- pH drift: Unbuffered DI water drifts; buffer formulas.
- Not a “benefit” ingredient: Listing water first can look unglamorous; the value is in what it carries.
What is the best application of Ionized Water?
Purified water is the base of every water-containing ORY® product:
- Toner or mist: DI water (optionally part aloe juice or hydrosol) with humectants; pH 5.
- Serum, lotion, cream: DI water phase; pH 4.5–6; preserved.
- Shampoo/conditioner: DI water; pH 4.5–5.5; chelator for hard-water performance.
- Cold-process soap: Distilled/DI water for lye solution; water discount for faster cure.
- Cosmetics: DI water phase; pH-adjusted; preserved.
- Customer education: “We use purified, pH-balanced water — not alkaline ionized water — because your skin’s surface is naturally acidic.”
Peer-reviewed references
- Danby SG, Brown K, Wigley AM, et al. The effect of water hardness on surfactant deposition after washing and subsequent skin irritation in atopic dermatitis patients and healthy control subjects. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2018;138(1):68–77.
- Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident microflora. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2006;28(5):359–370.
- Lundov MD, Moesby L, Zachariae C, Johansen JD. Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;60(2):70–78.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about water (aqua) as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Water itself does not cause allergy, but any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
