Rose Hydrosol For Skin: Benefits, Uses and Where to Find it

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Rose hydrosol is a key ingredient in many skincare products, bringing comfort and warmth with its beautifully rich and rosy scent. But did you know rose hydrosol not only smells good but is also a great way to pamper and nourish the skin? Popular in toners, mists and moisturisers, rose hydrosol possesses remarkable therapeutic properties.

Known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ageing and calming effect, rose hydrosol is often used in skincare products to balance skin tone, hydrate, reduce redness and protect the skin from premature ageing.

And the good news is, you don’t need to be a professional formulator to use this lovely ingredient in your skincare. Please scroll down to learn what rose hydrosol is, its benefits, uses and tips on picking 100% natural products.

What is Rose Hydrosol?

Rose hydrosol, also known as rose hydrolat, is a clear liquid obtained through the steam distillation of rose petals. As a co-product of the essential oil extraction process, rose hydrosol contains a tiny amount of essential oils, thus sharing some therapeutic effects of the rose essential oil.

How Does It Work?

Rose hydrosol contains a number of skin-benefiting compounds. According to research (1), the main compounds present in rose hydrosol, and also attributed to its divine scent, are phenyl ethyl alcohol, beta-citronellol and geraniol. Its skin benefits are attributed to bioactive compounds such as terpenes (glycosides), flavonoids, and anthocyanins (2), responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ageing, and calming effect.

Rose Hydrosol Skin Benefits

Now that we covered what rose hydrosol is and how it works, let’s explore how it helps the skin with many benefits attributed to its rich content of bioactive compounds.

1. Balances skin tone

Applied after cleansing, rose hydrosol helps balance the skin tone by removing traces of cleansers, excess sebum and other pollutants while hydrating, toning and plumping the skin. Applying rose hydrosol daily also transfers remedial compounds from the petals, keeping the skin healthy.

2. Reduces redness

Rose hydrosol has a soothing effect on the skin by reducing and calming inflammation caused by UV exposure. Research suggests anthocyanins (well-known antioxidants) found in rose petals might be responsible for their anti‐inflammatory effect(3).

3. Hydrates

In addition to reducing redness, rose hydrosol can help the skin retain moisture, making it a perfect ingredient for dry, mature and ageing skin. Whether you choose to add it to your face toners, cooling mists or moisturising creams, its hydrating effect will leave your skin looking and feeling refreshed.

4. Protects the skin from premature ageing

Due to its high content of phenolic compounds (including anthocyanins), rose hydrosol can help reduce the effects of oxidative damage caused by UV radiation (3, 4), damaging the skin. The protection provided by the antioxidants can help prevent signs of premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

5. Calms the mind

Rose hydrosol has a calming effect not only on the skin but also on the mind. It is often used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress and anxiety while boosting the mood (5). If you are going through a stressful day, try spraying some rose hydrosol onto your face, chest or wrists. You’ll notice how it will help to relax you and make you feel more optimistic about the day ahead.

Rose Hydrosol Uses

With the vast array of benefits rose hydrosol offers, it is a popular ingredient often included in a range of skincare products. It is often added to:

Cleansers to remove traces of makeup and other impurities without irritating the skin.
Facial toners to remove traces of cleansers but also to tone and add moisture to the skin.
Moisturisers for an extra boost of hydration and to protect the skin from premature ageing.
Eye gels for revitalising and soothing the under-eye area.
Masks for deep cleansing and detoxifying the skin.
After-sun products such as after-sun gels cool down and hydrate the skin. Consider combining rose hydrosol with aloe vera for a super hydrating, soothing after-sun treatment.
Shower gels to invigorate and refresh your skin.
Calming mists or spritzers to add a burst of fragrance and freshen up during the day or relax before bedtime.

All in all rose hydrosol is a highly versatile ingredient that you can incorporate into skincare in many ways. Your imagination is the limit!

How to Use Rose Hydrosol as a Toner

Rose hydrosol is a perfect ingredient for toning and balancing the skin. Easy to use, you can apply it daily after the cleansing phase and before using serum or moisturiser. To apply, pour or spray toner onto a cotton pad and gently sweep across the face, neck and chest to remove any excess sebum or residues from the skin. To help reduce your environmental impact, try reusable Eco-friendly bamboo pads. They are less abrasive on the skin and you can reuse them for a long time.

Who Should Use It

Rose hydrosol is an excellent ingredient for all skin types. It offers many skincare benefits and is also very cost-effective, making it a ‘must have’ in your beauty cabinet!

Normal skin: Keep it simple with rose hydrosol as it is a multitasker ingredient and works just fine for normal skin, just as well as for mature or dry skin. Using it twice a day will help you to keep the skin healthy and refreshed.

Dry skin: If your skin is dry, try combining rose hydrosol with glycerine to create a soothing, hydrating toner. Adding glycerine to the toner will attract moisture to the skin’s surface, ensuring it stays plump, supple and soft to touch throughout the day.

Oily skin: Regular use of rose hydrosol can help balance an oily complexion in combination with witch hazel and lavender hydrosol. While rose hydrosol hydrates the skin and reduce inflammation, witch hazel helps tighten the pores, and lavender hydrosol can balance the sebum production.

Combination skin: If you’ve got combination skin, try combining rose hydrosol with lavender and melissa hydrosol. Lavender will help balance sebum production, whereas melissa hydrosol will tighten the skin and minimise the appearance of large pores.

Sensitive skin: Soothing by nature, the rose hydrosol suits sensitive skin as it helps to soothe irritations. Combining it with camomile and geranium hydrosol will uplift your senses and calm your skin.

Side Effects

Mild by nature, rose hydrosol is considered very safe for most people. However, some might react to rose hydrosol due to sensitivity to the product. The symptoms may include redness, irritation, stinging or burning.

Before you try a new ingredient or a product, it is advisable to do a patch test on a clear patch of skin somewhere you can leave it alone for up to 24 hours. If your skin is red, itchy, or you experience a burning sensation, contact your physician or find an allergy specialist as it may be a sign of an infection or allergic reaction.

How to Pick a Rosewater Hydrosol

When it comes to choosing a rose hydrosol, make sure to:

1. Look for 100% pure and natural hydrosols

Some suppliers may label their products “rose hydrosol”, but they will not necessarily be 100% natural. Some hydrosols (floral waters) can include preservatives, solubilisers, or additives, which affect their therapeutic value. To ensure you are using a true hydrosol, find a trusted supplier that knows their hydrosols’ origins. Learn how to spot a fate hydrosol here.

2. Look for certified organic products

Crops grown organically are not sprayed with synthetic pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides, which can impact the environment and even your health. So when choosing rose hydrosol, make sure it is certified organic to ensure you are getting the real deal.

3. Consider splashing out on certified wildlife-friendly hydrosols

Farmers that use organic farming practices and grow the crops in their natural environment provide habitat to wildlife and make the business sustainable and eco-friendly. By buying directly from the grower, purchased hydrosols will reach you in their natural state without added additives. Visit seilich.co.uk for an example of a certified wildlife-friendly

supplier in the UK.

Where to Buy Rose Hydrosol

Finding the right supplier is the key to sourcing 100% natural rose hydrosol. The best way to get started is to check out independent suppliers, such as FromNatureWithLove, NatureInTheBottle, or NaturallyThinking.

How to Store Rose Hydrosol

Like all hydrosols, rose hydrosol is a natural water-based product, and as such, is prone to spoiling. Therefore, it is crucial to keep it out of direct sunlight and store it in a cool room and dark glass bottles. Correctly stored rose hydrosol can last up to two years. Once you open a bottle of hydrosol, please keep it in the fridge, which will help extend its shelf life.

Conclusion

Thanks to its excellent benefits, rose hydrosol is a lovely addition to your skincare regime. It can help soften, soothe and calm the skin. Combining it with other hydrosols is a great way to get more out of your skincare products.

FAQs

Can hydrosols be used as a toner?

Rose hydrosol is a natural water-based product, and as such, it can be used as a toner. It can help to remove any excess sebum from the skin, leaving the complexion smooth and clear. As it is very gentle, it can be used by all skin types, including sensitive skin.

How long does rose hydrosol last?

Rose hydrosol can last up to at least two years if stored properly. Once opened, store it in the fridge to extend its shelf life.

Is rose hydrosol safe for children?

Yes, it is ideal for children as it is gentle and non-irritant. However, it goes without saying before using it carry out a patch test first. Some children might react to rose hydrosol due to sensitivity to the product, and the symptoms may include redness, irritation, stinging or burning.