Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water is a natural distillate derived from the leaves of the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum). This hydrosol is valued for its refreshing, soothing, and antioxidant properties and is used in cosmetic products for skin and hair care. With its high content of natural volatile compounds such as essential oils, flavonoids, and antioxidants, basil water is ideal for calming skin irritation, improving hydration, and providing a fresh sensation. Its delicate and characteristic basil aroma also makes it a perfect base for lotions, toners, and facial sprays.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water contains trace amounts of essential oils (notably eugenol, linalool, and cineole) and flavonoids. These bioactive compounds provide antioxidant, soothing, and antibacterial properties, making this hydrosol particularly suitable for sensitive or irritated skin. Basil water has a light and volatile composition, making it perfect for use as a toner or refreshing mist.

Physical Properties

It appears as a clear or slightly cloudy liquid with a delicate, fresh herbal basil scent. It is water-soluble and easily incorporated into cosmetic formulations, including toners, hydrating lotions, gels, and hair care products. Thanks to its light and non-greasy texture, it is ideal for daily application on all skin types.

Production Process

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water is produced through steam distillation of fresh basil leaves. During this process, the leaves are heated, and steam captures volatile compounds, including essential oils, which are then condensed to form a hydrosol. This method preserves the basil’s bioactive properties, ensuring a pure and natural product, rich in aromatic and nourishing compounds for the skin.

Applications

• Cosmetics: Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water is used in various skin and hair care products. In skincare, it serves as a refreshing, hydrating, and soothing toner, especially suited for sensitive or irritated skin. It is ideal for facial mists, tonifying lotions, and masks. In hair care, it can be used to hydrate and refresh the scalp, leaving hair soft and silky.

INCI Functions:

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product. 

Flavoring agent. The purpose of this ingredient is to modify the solution to impart a certain flavour. Natural flavouring extracts are rather expensive, so the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries resort to synthesised substances that have sensory characteristics mostly similar to natural flavourings or are naturally equivalent. This ingredient is isolated through chemical processes or is synthesised from chemicals. It is also referred to as Aroma.

Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS     84775-71-3

EC number 283-900-8

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water is considered safe for cosmetic use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. Due to its natural production process, the hydrosol is free of harmful chemicals, making it suitable for daily use. Environmentally, basil is a sustainable and widely cultivated plant, making basil water an eco-friendly and biodegradable choice. It is important that the distillation process is carried out using sustainable techniques to minimize environmental impact.

Basil