This iconic bloom is more than just a pretty face. It’s also an amazingly effective skin care ingredient, known for its nourishing, skin-soothing properties.
There are innumerable benefits of rose water for skin. It has been used for thousands of years to keep people looking youthful and refreshed. Because roses are au naturale, it’s green skin care at its best!
Stay tuned for all the reasons to use rose water, what rose water is made of, how to use it, what to look for in products like rose water toner, what skin types it works for and answers to all of your frequently asked questions.
IN A NUTSHELL
Ingredient Category: Hydrosol/distillate.
Main Benefits: It has a calming, soothing effect, which can reduce temporary redness. Its hydrating properties also help prevent and combat dryness.
Find It In: Rose and Shine Rose Water Toner.
What is Rosewater? Where Is it From?
Rose water is super simple and exactly what it sounds like: roses and water. It’s been used for thousands of years for beauty treatments and skin care, and it’s made by steeping rose petals in water. It dates back to the Sasanian Empire of Persia, and was called golāb — gul (rose) and ab (water).
Typically, rose water producers take crushed petals and add boiling water in large containers. Condensation is collected, and rose water is the result. One liter of rose water takes 600 to 700 flowers.
Most commonly, roses come from South America (and Ecuador in particular), though they are grown in other parts of the world including Asia, Europe, Northwest Africa and North America. Fleur & Bee’s rose flower oil comes from Bulgarian roses.
Benefits of Rosewater for Your Face
Rose water has been used for thousands of years as a skin care ingredient and nutrient-rich botanical — and it’s particularly effective as a facial toner. Here are some of the benefits of using rose water in your skincare routine:
1. It balances skin’s natural oils.
Rose water is known for its ability to clarify and balance your skin, leading to a refreshed, revitalized appearance.
2. It can help reduce the look of temporary redness.
Rose water has calming and soothing effects when applied to your skin, which helps soothe redness and irritation.
3. It helps to naturally hydrate.
Proper hydration is key for youthful, glowing skin, and rose water is a natural hydrator.
4. It has antioxidant properties that nourish and protect the skin.
Used since the 7th century for a variety of purposes, rose water is rich in skin protecting antioxidants.
5. It can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles and diminish the look of existing ones.
Rose water is known for its ability to help people defy age. It can temporarily plump fine lines and even help to prevent new ones from forming.
6. It balances the skin.
For those with oily or combination complexions, rose water can help balance the oils in your skin.
7. It minimizes the appearance of large pores.
Because it can help balance oil in our skin, it keeps your pores from getting clogged and appearing larger.
8. It smells like roses!
Rose water has the advantage over many other botanicals for its lovely floral scent that is light and easy on the senses.
What to Look for in a Rosewater Spray
Rose water is so effective on its own thanks to the power of natural botanicals, it doesn’t need any unnecessary ingredients cluttering it up.
When checking rose water toner labels, make sure it doesn’t have any artificial fragrances, color dyes, alcohol or other unrecognizable ingredients. If it does have anything additional, make sure they’re botanically-based and have positive benefits for your skin. Often, a minimal amount of clean preservatives, like phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin, are necessary to keep the natural oils or hydrosols in rose water from spoiling while sitting on your shelf.
Fleur & Bee’s rose water toner is a simple base formula of rosewater and glycerin to refresh, hydrate and soothe.
How to Use Rose Water
While rose water can be used in an array of different ways, it’s best utilized to care for the skin on your face and neck, typically in the form of a toner, setting the stage for your other products.
Here’s how best to use rose water for skin:
- Cleanse your skin with a natural face wash.
- Apply the rose water toner to your face and neck.
- Apply any other serums or treatments.
- Treat your eyes with eye cream.
- Apply moisturizer.
- Apply sunscreen during the day.
People also drink pure rose water to help reduce redness and other skin issues and provide a boost of nourishing antioxidants. It can also be used for cooking as it adds a subtle rose flavor to dishes.
What Skin Type is Rose Water Good for?
Rose water is great for all skin types– unless, of course, you are allergic to roses!
There are four different standard skin types, each with its own unique needs.
Here’s a breakdown of how rose water toner works for each:
Sensitive Skin: Rose water is known for being gentle, so it’s beneficial for sensitive skin that may have issues with other ingredients.
Oily Skin: Because rose water balances skin’s natural oils and works wonders as a toner, it’s a great fit for oily skin.
Dry Skin: Rose water is a natural hydrator, providing moisture where skin needs it most. It’s perfect for dry skin, as it can offer a nourishing boost.
Combination Skin: Like oily and dry skin, rose water benefits are clear with combination skin. It balances the natural oils and helps to hydrate any dry areas, keeping combination skin in check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rose Water
What does rose water do for your face?
Rose water for skin is known for its ability to balance natural oils, reduce the appearance of temporary redness, hydrate your skin naturally, provide antioxidant protection, create a smoother looking appearance, minimize the appearance of large pores, and provide a clean base for your other products and vital nutrients.
What is rose water best for?
Rose water is best used as a skin care ingredient for your face and neck in order to reap the benefits mentioned above.
Is rose water safe?
Yes. Pure rose water is simply distilled rose petals. However, be sure and check the label of any products to make sure there aren’t any unnecessary ingredients or toxins lurking.
Is rose water safe when pregnant?
Yes. Pure rose water is a natural ingredient and perfectly safe during pregnancy. Just watch out for any added ingredients. We still recommend checking with your doctor for any questions related to pregnancy.
Is rose water good as a toner?
Yes. Rose water toner is a highly effective natural toner that offers an array of benefits including hydration, balancing natural oils, and offering a refreshing, soothing scent.
Can you drink rose water?
Some rose water is drinkable, and people use it for various purposes. However, only pure rose water (rose petals and water) is ok to drink; many skin care products contain additional ingredients and are not appropriate for consumption. Always check the label before consuming.
Which is best, rosewater vs witch hazel?
Both rosewater and witch hazel are commonly used ingredients in toner. Rosewater is a more gentle option, good for all skin types. Witch hazel tends to be a little more astringent and is ideal for oily skin.
