Cosmetics · Marine ingredients

Deep Sea Water

海洋深層水 (Kaiyō shinsōsui)

Also known as: Ocean Deep Water

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At a glance

CategoryCosmetics
INCI nameSea Water / Maris Aqua (for specific preparations)
Japanese labeling name海水
Common Japanese notations海洋深層水, 深層水
OriginMarine (water drawn from ocean depths below 200 meters)
Typical functionsMineral supply, Skin conditioning
Regulatory status in JapanCosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary as sea water. Beverage and food uses are regulated under the Food Sanitation Act.

Deep sea water (海洋深層水, kaiyō shinsōsui) refers to ocean water drawn from depths typically below 200 meters. Several Japanese coastal regions — Kochi (Muroto), Toyama Bay, Okinawa (Kumejima, Miyakojima), and others — operate deep-sea-water intake facilities that supply both cosmetic and beverage applications.

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Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Face toners and mists
  • Body products
  • Beverage and culinary applications (separate regulatory framework)

Ingredient profile

Deep sea water is drawn through offshore pipelines from depths below the thermocline. At these depths, water temperature is consistently cold, nutrient concentrations differ from surface water, and microbial content is significantly lower than surface seawater.

Processing varies by end use: for cosmetics, the water is typically desalinated and filtered; for food and beverage uses, various mineral-balance adjustments may be applied.

OEM applications

In cosmetics, deep sea water is used in face mists, toners, and mineral-supply positioning across skincare categories.

In beverages, it is sold as specialty drinking water and as a mineral-supplementation source.

Region-specific brands (Muroto, Kumejima, etc.) exist; cosmetic ingredient labels generally use generic terminology such as "deep sea water" or the INCI Sea Water, with regional provenance noted descriptively in product marketing.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary. Beverage use under Food Sanitation Act.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUSea water is listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use.
USAINCI recognized by PCPC.
ChinaPermitted per IECIC listings.
KoreaPermitted under KFDA / MFDS.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified. Regional deep-sea-water brands are handled as descriptive production-region notes rather than in ingredient names.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Deep Sea Water?
Deep sea water (海洋深層水, kaiyō shinsōsui) refers to ocean water drawn from depths typically below 200 meters. Several Japanese coastal regions — Kochi (Muroto), Toyama Bay, Okinawa (Kumejima, Miyakojima), and others — operate deep-sea-water intake facilities that supply both cosmetic and beverage applications.
What is the regulatory status of Deep Sea Water in Japan?
Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary as sea water. Beverage and food uses are regulated under the Food Sanitation Act.
What products typically use Deep Sea Water?
Face toners and mists / Body products / Beverage and culinary applications (separate regulatory framework)
Where does Deep Sea Water come from?
Marine (water drawn from ocean depths below 200 meters)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Deep Sea Water?
INCI: Sea Water / Maris Aqua (for specific preparations) / JSCI: 海水

Japanese OEM factories whose published profile references this ingredient. Auto-detected from manufacturer descriptions; verify capabilities directly.

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What INCI name is appropriate for deep sea water?

The standard INCI is 'Sea Water' (also 'Maris Aqua'), which covers seawater regardless of depth. 'Deep sea water' is a marketing descriptor; the underlying INCI on the label remains Sea Water/Maris Aqua. Specific regional provenance (e.g., Murotomisaki, Kumejima, Toyama Bay) is communicated as marketing claim, not INCI.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • CosIng database — Sea Water / Maris Aqua entry
Q. What is the practical definition of 'deep sea water' (kaiyō shinsōsui) in Japan?

There is no single statutory definition, but industry convention defines it as seawater drawn from depths typically below 200 m (often >300 m) where light does not penetrate. Major Japanese DSW intake sites are operated under prefectural cooperation in Kōchi (Murotomisaki), Okinawa (Kumejima), Toyama, and Hokkaido.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Japan Deep Ocean Water Applications Society (DOWAS) — industry definition
Q. What functional/marketing claims are typically made about DSW?

Common claims center on natural mineral content (Mg, Ca, K, trace minerals), low surface microbial load, and stable temperature. Hard claims about specific physiological effects on skin should be supported with study data, as both Japanese and EU regulators apply scrutiny to unsubstantiated mineral-water claims.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • EU Cosmetic Claims Regulation 655/2013 — common criteria for cosmetic claims
Q. How is DSW typically supplied to cosmetic OEM formulators?

Suppliers typically provide either raw DSW (with mineral content and salinity COA), desalinated DSW, or concentrated mineral solutions ('hardness 1000' style). Each form has different formulation behavior — high-mineral concentrates can interfere with anionic surfactants and gelling polymers.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Industry knowledge — Japanese DSW suppliers

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Use cases

  • Face mist / hydration spray

    Positioning
    Mineral hydration / Japanese provenance (Kōchi, Okinawa, Toyama)
    Typical usage level
    Up to 90%+ as primary water phase
    Formulation notes
    Filter for particulates; manage mineral hardness to prevent precipitation with anionics

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese DSW skincare market

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Hydrating toner

    Positioning
    Daily mineral-hydration line
    Typical usage level
    20-90% as water-phase
    Formulation notes
    Pairs with HA, glycerin, panthenol; check polymer compatibility

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese skincare market

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Bath salt / bath additive

    Positioning
    Onsen-experience home spa
    Formulation notes
    Concentrated DSW mineral form combined with epsom/sea salt base

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese bath additive market

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Hair mist / scalp toner

    Positioning
    Mineral-replenishment scalp wellness
    Typical usage level
    30-90% water-phase
    Formulation notes
    Light leave-on format; minimal interference with most styling polymers

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — scalp-care market

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

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Official regulatory databases

External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.

References

  1. JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — 海水
  2. Ocean Deep Water Industry Association Japan

Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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