What it is
Sea water is water sourced from the ocean and processed for cosmetic use, naturally containing dissolved minerals and trace salts such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium. It is used as part of the water phase and as a skin-conditioning ingredient, with the mineral content marketed as a soothing or refreshing benefit. In sunscreens it often appears as a featured aqueous base, sometimes tied to a specific regional sourcing story.
Safety & warnings
Cosmetic sea water is generally well tolerated and is used at levels where its salinity is not irritating. Because composition can vary by source, processed grades are purified to ensure consistency and remove contaminants. It is not a fragrance allergen and is not comedogenic.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; collected from the sea and filtered or otherwise purified for cosmetic use.
Questions everyone asks
How is cosmetic sea water different from ordinary water?
It naturally carries dissolved ocean minerals and salts, which are highlighted for conditioning and refreshing effects, whereas plain cosmetic water is purified to remove minerals.
Is the salt in sea water drying?
At the purified, controlled levels used in cosmetics the salinity is low enough that it is not intended to dry the skin.