Thermal water is often perceived as a raw, pure product, a gift from nature, captured directly at its source. This association with purity and naturalness remains central to consumer perception, who consider thermal water sprays as essential allies for soothing and hydrating the skin.
But what really happens between the source and your bathroom? Is it always as natural as we believe? Let’s explore the transformation stages of thermal water, its potential modifications, and modern alternatives designed to meet the specific needs of urban skin.
A unique mineral wealth at the source
Thermal waters originate from underground springs rich in minerals and trace elements. They are formed through a long natural process: rainwater infiltrates deep into the earth, sometimes for decades or centuries, absorbing minerals as it passes through specific geological layers. Each source has a unique composition, giving it well-documented dermatological properties, such as soothing irritations, reducing redness, and providing light hydration.
At thermal spas, water is drawn directly from the source and used with minimal treatment. For instance, hyperthermal waters (hot springs that can exceed 80°C) are cooled before being used in therapeutic baths or showers to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors. In this setting, the water retains its raw state, including minerals and sometimes naturally occurring microorganisms that may contribute to its dermatological, rheumatological, or ENT benefits.
However, between the source and the spray bottle in your home, thermal water undergoes several steps to ensure its preservation. This is where its « naturalness » may be called into question.
What happens to Thermal water in spray form?
Thermal water used in sprays must meet strict safety and preservation standards. The primary treatment steps include:
- Filtration: The water is filtered to remove visible or insoluble particles, ensuring a pure texture.
- Sterilisation: Some brands use gentle sterilisation methods (e.g., ultrafiltration or controlled heat) to eliminate microbial contamination risks. However, this process may also remove beneficial microorganisms present in the raw water.
- Packaging: The water is packaged in spray systems such as bag-on-valve (BoV), where the water is stored in an airtight pouch separate from the propellant gas, or systems where the water comes into contact with a neutral gas, such as nitrogen, for spray dispersion.
These treatments ensure product safety and durability but can slightly alter the raw state of the thermal water. For example, natural microorganisms and certain dissolved gases are often removed, potentially diminishing some of the water’s functional benefits compared to its direct use in spas.
What are the risks associated with transformation and transport?
While thermal water brands maintain rigorous processes, potential risks remain, particularly when water is transported from the source to a laboratory for bottling.
Some thermal springs are located in ecologically sensitive areas (e.g., nature reserves, protected zones), where setting up bottling facilities is prohibited. In such cases, water is transported in hermetically sealed tanks to distant facilities. However, this mode of transport poses challenges:
- Oxidation: If water comes into contact with air, certain minerals, such as iron or sulphur, can change.
- Temperature or Pressure Changes: These can cause some dissolved minerals to precipitate, altering their concentration.
- Contamination Risks: Although tanks are designed to be sterile, transportation conditions must be optimal to avoid contamination.
Seasonal variations can also affect the natural composition of thermal water. During heavy rainfall, infiltrating surface water may dilute the mineral content, whereas during dry periods, the water becomes more concentrated. Although natural, these fluctuations highlight that thermal water is not a static product. Brands often adjust for these variations to ensure consistent quality for consumers.
Is Thermal Water always natural?
Thermal water in spray form remains natural in the sense that it originates from an underground source without external additives. However, the treatments it undergoes for safety and preservation make it more « adapted » than purely natural.
Not all manufacturers follow the same protocols to preserve the water’s integrity. It is therefore essential to choose transparent brands that clearly communicate their extraction, treatment, and packaging methods.
The alternatives: enriched Dermatological Waters
While thermal water sprays are excellent for soothing and hydrating the skin, they may not always meet the specific needs of modern consumers. This is where enriched dermatological waters come in. Unlike thermal water, these do not seek to replicate nature but rather to enhance it to address targeted concerns, such as intense hydration, skin barrier repair, or protection against pollution.
These formulations often include active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or antioxidants, which cater to the needs of skin exposed to modern aggressors (pollution, blue light, stress). Dermatological waters do not replace thermal water but offer a complementary dimension: while thermal water provides global care, enriched waters address specific concerns.
Dermatological Water: between purity, innovation, and expertise
Thermal water sprays embody purity and natural benefits, but their journey from the source to your bathroom involves adaptations. These modifications are necessary for safety and preservation but raise questions about their « naturalness. »
In a world where skin needs evolve with modern lifestyles, enriched dermatological waters offer a complementary solution, combining innovation with targeted care. As a consumer, it’s important to ask yourself: do you seek the simplicity and freshness of natural thermal water, or solutions better suited to modern skin challenges?
By combining both, you can provide your skin with a holistic approach: the gentleness of thermal water and the efficacy of enriched waters to meet its specific needs.
Laboratoire Orescience : Your Strategic Partner in Dermatology and Cosmetics
To meet the expectations of modern, demanding skin, the research and development teams at Laboratoire Orescience, experts in cosmetic innovation, are at your service to create tailor-made, personalised solutions.
By combining cutting-edge scientific advancements with the benefits of nature, we transform your ideas into high-performance products that respect the skin and are tailored to your specific needs.
Trust our expertise to develop dermatological and cosmetic formulas that make a difference.
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