8 Best Beauty Water Products for Your Skin & Hair 2020

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published 30 December 2019

They say that the secret to youthful skin and hair is lots and lots of water, so let’s talk about about the H2O that’s been taking over the beauty world by storm. And no, this kind isn't for drinking: These age-defying, pH balancing, ultra-hydrating beauty waters are applied topically and infused with ingredients like charcoal, aloe, and collagen to beautify from the outside in.

So why should you implement water into your routine? Well, the newest batch of water-like creams, cleansers, and stylers deliver droplets of hydration straight into your skin/hair, and the thinner consistency means they soak in faster without leaving behind any residue. Since they tend to be lighter, the formulas are perfect for people who are oily, sensitive, or acne-prone (not to mention they just feel so damn refreshing). Below, our favorite liquidized beauty products that come in nature’s most simple, and effective, element.

The Classic

1. Evian Facial Spray

A couple spritzes of Evian’s refreshing face mist will be a serious pore-saver after a long day in the office. It's full of mineral and amino acids, so you can rest assured knowing you’re not just spraying water on your face.

For Glowing Skin

2. Jill Stuart Crystal Beauty Rich Water

This beauty water is formulated with coconut oil and hydrating fruit extracts to moisturize your skin, and has a slight shimmer to give your face a subtle highlighted glow.

For a Safe Tan

3. Vita Liberata Invisi Foaming Tan Water

Whether you’re going for "sun-kissed glow" or "two-foundations-darker-bronze," Vita Liberata’s tanning water is great because it lets you tailor your tan. After spraying, the grease-free formula dries in 1-2 minutes for natural-looking results within 4-6 hours. If you want a deeper tan, just reapply as soon as your first application dries to gradually intensify your glow. It’s even infused with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate your skin.

For Dry Hair

4. Moremo Water Treatment Miracle

Apply this liquid hair treatment after shampooing and rinse out. The hydrolized proteins will provide an extra pack of moisture post-shower without weighing down your strands.

For Quick Showers

5. L'Oreal Paris Elvive Wonder Lamellar Water

Is your hair in desperate need of a hair mask but you just can’t seem to find the time? This magical liquid works in just eight seconds (yes, eight!) to make damaged hair feel super shiny and silky, so we think it's pretty aptly named.

The Hydrating Serum

6. Dior Hydra Life Sorbet Water Essence

Don’t let the thin, translucent texture fool you; Dior’s water essence has the same ultra-concentrated effects of a s.rum, while helping offset heavy moisturizing ingredients that can feel too thick and clog pores.

For Cleansing

7. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

No beauty water roundup is complete without cleansing water⁠. Garnier’s newest version has a lovely rose aroma and lifts away dirt and makeup like a magnet, leaving your face clean...but not squeaky clean.

8. Shiseido WASO Beauty Smart Water

When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes recommended by a MC writer or editor, or by an expert we've spoken to. Learn more about how we review products.

Shiseido’s 3-in-1 formula does it all. Inspired by Japanese amazake (fermented rice-based drink), this smart water cleanses your complexion, locks in moisture for extra hydration, and primes pores for makeup with a sebum-absorbing powder that doesn’t strip the skin. Launches in January 2020.

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Hana Hong is the beauty assistant at Marie Claire, where she covers skincare, makeup, and haircare, and is identifiable by her signature cateye.