The oldest beauty remedy involves preparation rose water at home. Rose water – one of the most amazing ingredient which you may include in your skin care regime regardless of any skin type.
What feelings come to your mind when you think of roses? For me, tender petals of these amazing flowers with divine smell fix me up for romantic mood and passion. Hard to deny the fact that each girl likes when their boyfriend presents a bunch of roses as a pure manifestation of love and affection. Since ancient times roses were considered to be a symbol of bright beauty, no wonder they are still so adorable. You may put fresh roses in a vase and enjoy just looking at them, touching soft petals and breathing their scent – until one day you find out the flowers have lost their natural exquisite and faded. Don’t be in a hurry to throw away dead flowers into garbage – there is an interesting method to use rose for skin care.
What is Rosewater?
Flavored liquid made during the process of steeping rose petals in water is called rose water. By more accurate words it is a hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals, so called resulting liquid left after production of rose essential oil for perfume purposes. For such purposes not all rose sorts are suitable. Damascus roses are the preferred variety because they are believed to be the original red roses with strongest aroma and highest oil content.
It is interesting to note that rose hydrosol have the same properties as essential oil but with less concentration. True steam-distilled rose hydrosol possess all beneficial ingredients of flower whereas “essential oil added to water” variations of rose water have less usefulness to offer. Thus, rose water is suitable for all manner of applications where essential oils would be too strong. In most hydrosols there is less than 5% of actual oil.
Rosewater is widely used in skin and hair care and considered to be popular component in most cosmetic and medical preparation, even for religious aims in Europe and Asia.
Probably, once you tried to buy rose water in shops. What is necessary to mention here is the fact that it is difficult to find pure organic product with reasonable price tag. Actually, those floral water bottles turn out to be just water with rose aroma additive. Yes, they are nice in use and smell wonderful but you won’t get amazing effect of pure rose. Such “fake” rose hydrosol may contain preservatives to make its shelf life longer and easy to store but its benefits in skincare equals to “zero” as well.
Liquids with bright pink color and other additional components in its content list are not pure rose waters. So, in order not to be disappointed with purchase, it is still more safe to make your own rose water at home.
Rose Water Benefits for Skin
The most popular way get all beauty advantages of flower is using rose water for skincare. Due to its healing properties floral water can be applied for face depending on which skin problem you have. The good news is that rose liquid is able to treat any skin imperfections:
- Helps to regulate skin pH level.
- Natural treatment of skin diseases like acne, dermatitis and eczema.
- Makes skin smooth as rose water deeply hydrates and traps moisture in skin layers.
- Anti-ceptic and anti-bacterial properties of roses help heal scars, cuts, wounds and minor skin inflammation.
- Provides skin with rejuvenating effect reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Refreshes skin making it look young and taut.
- Soothes irritation and blemishes associated with dry and sensitive skin.
The list of rose water benefits is rather impressive and already gives full answer to question “What does rose water do for your skin?” asked by many girls. I think, it is a serious reason to let rose water be the part of your daily beauty regime!
How is Rose Water Made: Methods & Tips
From the beginning, there are several methods how to make pure rose water at home.
The first variant of preparation implies to put fresh rose petals in a jar filled with distilled water (it can be bought easily at drugstores) and place them under the sun for few days.
The second variant is more faster – it involves heating rose petals in distilled water in a covered clean utensil at low heat. The general process is followed by simmering the liquid until half the water is left and then cooled down. After discarding flower petals your homemade rose water is ready for use.
Some websites offer another variation of rose water made by adding few drops of rose essential water into a certain amount of distilled water. Usually such rose water recipe includes 12 drops of essential oil and a cup of water. All you need is to mix ingredients well. I guess, this recipe is good for those who are not aimed at deliberate waste of time and efforts.
Homemade Rose Water Recipes. Few Secrets to Know
It is difficult to be sticked out to one particular recipe for rose water. Internet resources offer various ideas to prepare floral liquid in a more or less complicated way. In this post I will discuss most popular ones and, of course, your fantasy and intuition are required!
All you need for beauty product is distilled water and rose petals. Main rose water ingredients may also be mixed with few drops of essential oils if desired. It is possible to substitute distilled water with plain one but filtered and boiled beforehand. Avoid tap water as it may contain bacteria which is not good for floral water. As for roses, there is also no certain restriction what kind of flower petals to use: though you can take fresh rose parts (avoid stems and leaves, only petals), dried ones will give you a much stronger scent. But if you decide to put fresh petals, then make sure they are from organic source (as a fact, roses in stores are sprayed with chemicals to prolong their life). If possible, harvest fresh roses in your garden or ask someone who has own fields with flowers.
So, tips mentioned above are easy to remember, now it is time to get familiar with some popular recipes of preparation of rose water at home.
Homemade Rose Water: Fastest & Easiest Recipe
You will need:
a handful of fresh or dried rose petals
a cup of hot water
- First of all, gather your roses – make sure you have enough petals for a cup of water to make infusion, or while using dried ones, then you may need 1 cup of this organic product.
- Bring water to a boil and cover petals. Prefer ceramic or glass cup instead of metallic one.
- Place a cup with floral mixture aside, cover with towel and let it steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and pour it into a convenient bottle.
Being the natural skincare product, storage in fridge is demanded. Prepare a new portion of rose water after 5 days passed.
Distilled Rose Water: Traditional Method
This variation is more complicated and takes more time in comparison with other methods. But it is much fun and worth to try as the process of making rose water at home is quite close to that during rose oil production.
You will need:
Pot with rounded lid
Fireplace brick
Distilled water
Glass bowl of smaller size which can be put into a pot
7 stems of roses to collect fresh petals
Ice cubes
Glass jar and/or spray bottles
- Take fresh stems of roses and collect petals. Try to choose healthy plant parts and throw away the rotten ones. The best solution will be using roses from your own or friend’s garden. Wash them carefully to remove any dirt.
- Put a brick inside the pot and place a glass bowl on it to collect rose water. The rim should be a couple inches higher than the water and there should be space between the bowl and the pot to let the steam to rise.
- Add clean rose petals into the pot around the bowl and add enough water to cover them.
- Cover the pot with a lid upside down so the rounded part of the lid dips into the pot and there will be space to put ice cubes later on the top of that lid.
- Bring the solution to a gentle boil. Turn heat down just enough to keep a steady simmer.
- Once it is boiling place ice cubes on top. The steam will condense when it hits the cold lid and drip down into the bowl.
- You don’t need to boil all the water. It is important to collect the most concentrated part of rose liquid in the first few minutes . It will become more diluted after that. So, it means you will have your own rose water within 20 minutes after solution started to boil.
Be ready that resulting rose liquid won’t have the smell of original flower because during the process of distillation only few volatile components present in petals are captured. Getting other essences may be possible only with more complex distillation requiring special skills and knowledge.
How long does homemade rose water last?
Since homemade rose water is a natural product, it cannot stay fresh for long time. Prefer to keep organic product in cool places or refrigerate it. In general, rose water must be used within 6 days. You may come across some people who advice to add grape seed oil or vodka in order to prolong shelf life of rose liquid. Better avoid such recommendations for certain reasons: any additives like alcohol or organic oil will change the mixture scent significantly. Rose water should smell like original flower, not something else.
Uses for Rose Water: Best Ideas
Once you get rose water, you may use wonderful beauty product for a number of purposes.
Rose Water Face Wash. Get more benefits of applying rose water on the face every day. Pour some rose water into a wide bowl. Splash the solution over the face and pat it with towel or let it dry naturally. You may repeat procedure in the morning before applying makeup and in the evening before bedtime. Rose water helps deeply hydrate and moisturize the skin providing it with that refreshed look.
Rose Water as a Toner. After cleansing your face and removing makeup, dip a cotton pad into rose liquid and rub gently on skin. Due to the astringent properties, rose water is able perfectly clean pores and tone the skin. Rose water toner becomes a great solution for those who has sensitive or irritated skin. While applying it helps reduce inflamed areas by stimulating the circulation in tiny blood vessels beneath the skin.
Rose Spray for Face. Rose solution can be turned into a wonderful spray applied over your makeup setting purpose and provides a very attractive, healthy and delightful finish. In addition, rose water becomes an amazing helper in summer time: besides adding wonderful radiance and glow, floral mist will naturally hydrate and nourish your skin. Apply it on face as many times as you want throughout the hot summer days.
Water Makeup Remover. Apply rose water with a cotton ball and gently massage skin removing all makeup residue. Wish to create even more effective and nourishing makeup remover – mix floral liquid with coconut oil on a cotton pad and this solution will work magically skin. Wiping face with pure rose water is effective as well.
Rosewater Treatment Reviews
Mir&a25
I use rosewater as a toner. I like to wash off all my makeup using this natural product or a setting spray before I apply my makeup. It feels so soothing and refreshing. Usually, I add few drops of essential oil to make the smell amazing and relaxing. The best part is, it’s all natural! I gave up buying commercial lotions! I didn’t find any negatives points in using rosewater for face. I feel pleased with the results!
Dancer in Rain, 34
I’ve been using rose water as a facial toner for as long as I ever remember! I don’t prepare rose liquid in huge amounts because it cannot be stored for long time. I keep my rose water in the fridge so that it is cool and refreshing. It’s amazing to spray on face during hot summer days! It makes my skin feel soft and moisturized. I guess it is especially suitable for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave any uncomfortable feeling. I like it!
Linda Cann, 21
I used rosewater for my skin several times. To be honest, I didn’t notice any difference. I applied rosewater in the morning before makeup. I cannot say it made my skin glowing and extremely soft. Seems like you are wasting time trying to prepare it and it doesn’t satisfy your needs in the long run. I was disappointed.
Daria Cool, 35
My skin feels well on this rose water. I fell into instant love using it as a facial toner. Skin is so soft and glowing. I found out that apparently my skin condition becomes much better. I tried rose water for several reasons: I was curious and I wanted to try some new DIY product for my skin. As for me, the best way to use rosewater for face is applying it before bedtime after washing off makeup. After the procedure my skin feels soothed!
Nina Sayers, 19
It’s in a DIY product for skin I’ve ever tried! I use it twice a day after cleansing.
When I first prepared it I liked the gentle floral scent. It’s refreshing on the skin, and again the scent is there, but light and not overwhelming. When I first converted to rosewater from my regular toner, I noticed that my skin needs time to get used to it because it is all natural. I am using this along with an all-natural cleanser and moisturizer and stay away from conventional products from the store. My skin is rather sensitive and prone to allergy, I was a little afraid to apply rosewater on the face but everything is OK!
Me Dare, 27
I like using only natural products. It’s healthy for my skin and hair! Rose water has helped my hair and scalp so much. It’s been a miracle product for me. I used various conditioners and balms for hair but none of them could give such wonderful result! I love rosewater, it’s organic because I am very picky about the products I use. Since I started to apply this rose water on hair after shampooing, I noticed how soft and moisturized my hair is! I like that feeling!
Nice Liz, 17
I have very sensitive skin that becomes highly irritated and inflamed with very often. or Lately I have been washing my face with plain water only, which has helped my skin a little. But I still have blackheads and it feels dry. So my decision was to prepare rosewater to save my skin. I really liked it from the first application! Within a week, my skin feels soft, my pores are tighter, and my skin redness has gone down!
Discussion3 Comments
For years I purchase my Rose Water from an organic vendor but I have a huge abundance of beautiful smelling roses in my garden. I’ve always been worried that I should not use them in my soaps and facial toners (I sell luxury handmade body products. is this truly the case, or is it an ignorant statement? Can I make my own rosewater and use it for my products to sell, (please keep in mind some products stay on the shelf for over a week or two, so I need longer shelf life since it’s not for personal use?
By products I refer to soap, lotion and facial toners
Hello! Can I put the rose water into ice cubes?
What are your thoughts on using a naturally derived/organic preservative? I’d love to extend the shelf life of this as a product to sell, however the the limited shelf life is a great concern. There are a few interesting produce available for use.some with additional skin benefits. Thank you in advance for your response.
Tracy