Floral waters: benefits and how to use for skincare, haircare and body care
What are floral waters or hydrosols?
Floral waters, also known as hydrolats or hydrosols, are a by-product from the steam distillation of essential oils. Floral waters are incredibly beneficial for skincare, body care and haircare. They can be added into skincare routines for refreshing and revitalising the skin.
When you distil plant material to make essential oils, you are left with oil floating on top of water. The essential oils are separated out, and the leftover water is beautifully infused with the plant essence. The hydrophilic (water-loving) chemical compounds of the plant are infused into the floral water. As such, hydrosols are a perfect union of water and plants.
Hydrosols have a delicate nature and a light aroma. They are ideal for situations that require gentle aromatic care, especially for those with sensitive skin. Associated with the goddess Aphrodite, rose water has been used for thousands of years for beauty and bathing rituals, for example in Turkish or Roman baths. While rosewater is one of the most popular hydrosol, a hydrosol can be made from different plants, including lavender, orange blossom (neroli), rosemary, jasmine and chamomile.
How to preserve floral waters?
Each hydrosol has a different shelf life, and many hydrosols have added preservatives to prolong shelf life but if you are using a pure hydrosol, it is safest to keep them in the refrigerator to keep them stable.
Be careful when buying rose water as there are dupes on the market – a dilution with adulterated lower grade rose oil which would not have the same benefits as pure hydrosol.
You can also make rose water yourself by simmering rose petals into distilled water but make sure you know the origins of the rose (as many commercial roses sold in supermarkets for example may be treated with chemicals to extend shelf life) and some rose varieties may not be suitable for a DIY rose water.
How to use floral waters?
Floral waters are incredibly beneficial for skincare, body care and haircare. The beauty of floral waters is that they do not require dilution and can be applied directly to the skin. There is a myriad of ways to use floral waters, and here are some ideas on how to get started.
SKINCARE
What are the benefits of floral waters for skincare?
Owning to the myriad of beneficial aromatic compounds, floral water is soothing, cooling, refreshing and rejuvenating to the skin and is particularly suited for sensitive, sun-damaged, mature and problem-prone skin. Rose water has a slight natural acidic pH of 4.5 - 5 which is an excellent match for your skin's pH.Some of its key benefits for skincare are:
Helps reduce the appearance of pores: Floral waters are mildly astringent and slightly acidic which means it helps tighten pores and visibly reduces their appearance.
Locks in moisture: A humectant, floral water adds and retains moisture. Nothing is more refreshing than spritzing a cold hydrosol on your face on a hot day.
Protects cells from damage: Hydrosols, such as rose water, contain a number of powerful antioxidants. One study found that these antioxidants had potential lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. This provides powerful cell protection as a result.
Soothes problem-prone skin: Floral water has powerful antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can prevent and treat infections as well as help reduce acne, eczema, rosacea and soothe problem-prone skin. Because of this, it is often included in a variety of natural and medicinal treatments. You can use it in place of harsher synthetic products to refresh and balance all skin types. In fact, it is recommended not to mix harsher synthetic products when using floral water to treat problem prone-skin in order to allow for its beneficial properties to take effect.
Reduces rosacea, skin redness and irritation: Skin irritation can be caused by external environmental factors, including harsher synthetic products. The powerful antibacterial properties of rose water can help reduce skin redness and puffiness and soothe irritated skin.
Helps with mature skin: Good quality floral water is an excellent skin toner, especially for combination, sun-damaged and mature skins. It helps strengthen skin cells thanks to its antioxidant properties. It helps reduce fine lines and improves skin texture.
How to use floral waters for skincare?
Floral waters, such as rose water, is cooling and rejuvenating and is a very multifunctional and versatile single-ingredient product. We always recommend making it a staple in your bathroom cabinet and your natural skincare collection. You can use rose water on its own as a cleanser or toner or use it in masks, steams, and compresses and add it to any beauty product for both its effects and fragrance.
Use as a make-up removal or cleanser: Rose water makes a great facial cleanser and make-up removal aid helping to maintain the skin’s pH balance. It is non-irritant and can be used daily. You can apply with cleansing pads (best reusable), muslin cloth or even fingertips and gently sweep over your face to remove impurities.
Refreshing facial toners for all skin types: Rose water makes a great facial toner helping to maintain the skin’s pH balance. Rose water is the perfect rejuvenating facial toner for all skin types as it has amazing benefits for the skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can be used to soothe irritation caused by conditions, such as eczema and rosacea or soothe sunburned skin.
Facial mist: Floral water is a natural hydrator and has incredible hydrating properties. Fil a spritz bottle with rose water (You can mix rose and lavender water) and spray directly on face and body as a refreshing mist. You can keep the bottle in the fridge for a cooling mist. The mist can be used for setting make-up or as a room or linen spray.
Setting make up: Used in a mist or spray, rose water is great also for setting make-up.
Make soothing eye pads: Cotton pads dipped in rose water can be used to cover tired eyes and reduce the look of fatigue and puffiness.
Mix in facial masks: Rather than using tap water, we recommend using rose water in your clay mask to form a thick paste. Clay and rose water are match made in heaven! The rose water will not only give a natural floral fragrance to your mask but also boost your mask with beneficial properties.
HAIRCARE
What are the benefits of floral waters for haircare?
While most of us are more familiar with the benefits of floral water for skincare, it is also very beneficial for haircare. Rose water has a similar PH level to that of human hair and contains a number of nutrients and vitamins nourishing for the hair. Adding floral water to your haircare routine will nourish your hair and leaving it soft, shiny and beautiful. It is particularly suitable for dry, damaged, brittle and frizzy hair.
Controls an oily scalp: If you have extra active sebaceous glands, your scalp generates excess amounts of oil that can make your head and hair feel greasy. As the pH of floral water is slightly acidic, it nourishes your scalp and regulates the production of oil.
Helps reduce dandruff: If you have tried numerous anti-dandruff shampoos and treatments in vain, say hello to one of the most effective natural remedies of dandruff. Rosewater can help with reducing dandruff. This is because rose water is a mild astringent (helps with constricting your body tissues).
Helps with other scalp conditions: Rosewater is known to be an anti-inflammatory, which means it could help with scalp conditions such as psoriasis. Using rose water to massage your scalp increase blood circulation which in turn rejuvenates follicles of the scalp.
Softens hair and reduces dryness: Regular tap water typically contains minerals like calcium that can build up on your hair and cause it to become brittle. However, because rosewater is distilled it can help make your hair softer and fuller. Owing to the myriad of beneficial compounds, Rose water is highly suitable for the nourishment of hair. If you have frizzy and dry hair, you can use rose water to moisturise your hair, and soothe the effects of heat and pollution.
Repairs Hair Damage: If you blow dry, straighten or curl your hair frequently, (a big cause of dry and damaged hair!), it can easily lose its natural lustre and strength. Rose water used as a hair rinse can help repair hair damage and calm down frizzy hair adding shine. The sugars in the rose petals add to the rose water’s hair repairing effects.
Improves Hair Growth: The vitamins A, B3, C and E of rose water promote the growth of your hair, by nourishing the scalp and promoting hair growth.
How to use floral water for haircare?
Hair rinse: This is probably the simplest way to use rose water in your hair care routine. Use 50 to 70 ml of rose water to rinse your hair and leave it in (do not rinse out). It will condition, add shine, and leave an amazing scent on your hair. You can use this method on its own (without shampoo) or if you live in a particularly hard water area, use it as an after-shampoo rinse. You can also dilute your regular shampoo with rose water and wash as normal but depends on the type of shampoo you use. Best to do this method with natural shampoos or in combination with natural sold shampoo.
Hair treatment for damaged hair: Mixing 50 to 70 ml rose water with a few drops (e.g. tablespoon) of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba will provide a nourishing treatment for your hair
Scalp massage: You can simply massage your scalp with rose water, or dab some rose water onto a cotton ball and use it to massage your entire scalp. It is also a good idea to add other natural ingredients, like jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil or rose oil, to maximize the results nourish your hair. Regular massages promote blood circulation and enhance the strength and shine of your hair.
Anti-frizz spray: Add it to a spray bottle and use it as a mist to decrease frizz and add shine.
BODYCARE
Hydrosols have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Roses have a high concentration of vitamin C. It helps lifts the spirits, reduces anxiety and relaxes the mind and body.
What are the benefits of floral waters for bodycare?
Thanks to its mineral properties and versatility, floral waters can be used in a wide range of applications.
Travel essentials: Floral water moisture-retaining nature makes it a good choice for the traveller, and its mild antiseptic and cooling effects.
Repairs sun-burned skin: Lavender water in particular comes to the rescue to relieve discomfort and speed healing of mild to moderate sunburns. (Always seek medical attention for serious sunburns.) It cools, soothes and regenerates the sub-damaged skin.
Reducing headaches and migraines: The cooling effect of rose water combined with the floral lemony scent can help reduce migraines.
Healing scars, cuts and wounds: The powerful antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of rose water can help with healing tissue and scars.
To alleviate symptoms of menopause: Relieves the effects of heat rashes and flushes
Wellness benefits of rose water: The Rose epitomises the gentleness of the female spirit. In aromatherapy, rose water and rose oil are highly recommended as a hormone balancer for all ages when used internally in dilution. Rose can help combats PMS, cramps, and moodiness by virtue of its balancing effects on the endocrine system. Rose water helps uplift the spirit, opens the heart and soothes feelings such as anger, fear and anxiety. Rose is the perfect companion for heart-opening meditations to evoke feelings of love, compassion and happiness.
How to use floral waters for bodycare?
Add to baths for relaxation and rejuvenation: Adding about 50 ml of rose water to your bath will rejuvenate your skin and add a touch of luxury to your bathing experience.
Body mist: Rose water is a natural hydrator and has incredible hydrating properties. Fill a spritz bottle with rose water (You can mix rose and lavender water) and spray directly on face and body as a refreshing mist. You can keep the bottle in the fridge for a cooling mist.
Perfume, room and linen spray: Anyone suffering from environmental or chemical sensitivities could try rose water as an aromatic and hypoallergenic body, linen, or room perfume. Add a couple of sprays on your linen in the evening for a bohemian feel.
Postpartum healing sitz bath: A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath for cleansing the perineal area. While sitz baths can be used anytime (and incorporated as part of your regular personal hygiene routine), they’re especially recommended for women who have recently given birth vaginally as the temperature of the water used in a sitz bath increases blood flow to the perineal area and promotes faster healing.
Use with children: Lavender water’s sweet and happy aroma makes it a natural and safe use for children. Lavender is fabulous for use with babies from birth and can be added to the bath, used to clean the baby’s bottom, or combined with camomile for diaper rash. A mist in the air in baby’s room or a spritz on parents’ clothing before tucking in will help make naps and bedtime easier to achieve.
Explore Clarity Blend’s range of organic rose and lavender floral water. Our floral water comes from the steam distillation of Organically grown handpicked Damask roses from Bulgaria’s world-famous Rose Valley.
