Rose water has been used throughout history by women around the world. Rose water was so popular in fact, even Cleopatra used it to keep her skin dewy and supple during her reign as Queen of Egypt. It was used as a means to cool hot angry skin in the summer heat as well as for its ability to smooth, nourish, and brighten uneven complexions.
Rose water’s popularity as a culinary flavoring is used in the Middle East and India in many dishes to add a subtle rose flavor and fragrance that lightens spicy or heavy foods. Rose has also been used to flavor desserts like Turkish delight and baklava and can even be added to lemonade, raw honey, vinegar, and brandy to make different rose infused remedies.
Its light aroma eases depression, PMS, and anxiety and induces a sense of ease and well-being…it also happens to taste and smell amazing!
The Benefits of Rose Water
Rose water is essentially a byproduct of rose essential oil making. When the roses are being distilled for their oils, it’s the water that is left behind. This water is called rose hydrosol, rose floral water, or rose water. The best rose hydrosols don’t actually come from making rose essential oil though, those come from distillers who are actually making rose hydrosol, not the “byproduct” produced from making rose essential oil.
But don’t let the word “byproduct” scare you off! Rose water, whether it’s a byproduct or made intentionally, is fantastic for healing tired thirsty skin and is suitable for all skin types.
You can buy rose water here
The Benefits of Rose Water for Your Skin
Rose as an herb is very cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory, and astringent…the perfect recipe for those suffering from acne and irritation. Apply it to red, hot to the touch, blemished areas for a calming effect that helps balance the skin’s PH. This will, in turn, reduce redness and make your skin an un-ideal environment for acne-causing bacteria to breed. The best method to apply rose water is to spray it on the skin directly. This way none of it is wasted.
Rose water is also quite antiseptic, so acne-causing bacteria don’t stand a chance with regular use as a natural skin toner. It’s properties benefit sensitive, irritated, dry, and even oily skin complexions by controlling sebum production, reducing inflammation, and allowing the outer skin barrier to heal and repair itself. Rose water even tightens the pores making them appear smaller. It also helps lighten hyperpigmentation over time with regular use and is a popular companion in The Oil Cleansing Method.
Other Amazing Rose Water Benefits
• Can be used for eye infections (just soak a soft cotton round and place over the eye)
• Balances the PH of our skin and clears acne
• Heals sunburn, bug bites, and rashes especially when steeped in apple cider vinegar, then applied to the area
• Soothes inflamed sore throats (use it as a gargle or add it to tea)
• Relieves PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and gently balances hormones by reducing stress and anxiety (use as a body mist as needed)
• Relieves menstrual cramps and improves mood swings (when used as an essential oil diffused in the home)
• Improves depression and anxiety (breathe in the fragrance while spraying it on your skin)
• Soothes capillaries by tightening and strengthening them
• Improves circulation
• Curbs skin and bladder infections when added to tea
• Natural remedy for diarrhea and ulcers when added to digestive teas
• Adds shine to hair (just spritz it on after a shower)
• Enriches the body with nutrients when made with organic homegrown roses
• Soothes digestive problems when taken internally before and after meals
• Relieves a toothache when applied as a poultice (soak a cotton ball or gauze pad and apply directly)
So as you can see, this is just a few of the many rose water uses and benefits for a wide variety of ills and ailments, but how do we make rose water at home?
It’s actually quite simple!
How to Make Rose Water at Home – A Simple Rose Water Recipe
Although this isn’t a hydrosol method, this rose water will still have all the benefits you need for healthy glowing skin.
You Will Need
• 1 cup of packed (preferably organic) rose petals that are clean and separated
• A pot of boiling water
• A mortar and pestle (for bruising the rose petals) you can tear them if you don’t have these
• 2 cups distilled water
Preparation
• Bring water to a rolling boil
• Add the bruised or torn rose petals to the boiling water
• Stir a few times
• Put on the lid (use one without a hole in it, you want to keep the steam in the pot) and boil until the color is completely gone from the petals
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit until completely cooled
• Strain into pretty bottles or into a spray bottle for easy use
Extras
• Once cooled, you can add a few drops of essential oil (like rose!)
• Add 4-5 drops of jojoba oil
• Add ¼ tsp glycerin (this helps the skin retain moisture)
• Add ¼ tsp aloe vera gel or juice
This rose water will keep for 1 week on the counter and about 2 weeks in the fridge. Keep a small spray bottle in your purse for quick and easy refreshment on hot days or in dry winter months.
What have been your favorite uses for rose water? Please let me know in the comments below!
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Hi.. believe it or not, i hate smell of roses. Do you know of any other hydrosol as follow up on ocm for dry anti aging benefit?
You can use lavender, melissa, frankincense, chamomile, or helichrysum. 🙂
If I made gallon would it spoil or go bad if I didn’t us it all within a month?
You can freeze what you don’t use! Otherwise, it WILL go bad.
Silly question, but where would you pick up these rose petals?
I Usually harvest my own rose petals from my garden but you can find high quality rose petals from Mountain Rose Herbs.
I’ve been making rose water for a few years now using wild rose petals which are proficient here in Nova Scotia. I keep the jar in the fridge and a small container in my bathroom to use as toner. I usually use it all winter and not had it go bad. Are you referring to it’s effectiveness when you say it lasts up to two weeks?
Your rose water sounds lovely! The two weeks if for those who make the rose water and leave it at room temperature 🙂
Curious how you use it to “relieve PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and gently balances hormones, as well as, relieve menstrual cramps and improves mood swings”? Do you drink it, and if so how much, or topical spray?
Me and my friend made rose water using this technique, and for some odd reason our wayer reaks of corn. Any possible reasons why?
Hi valerie!
That is really strange. Were the rose petals you used fragrant?
How long should we let the water with the rosepetals boil for?
Hi Mathilde!
I just updated the post 🙂 I let them boil until all the color has been leached from the petals.
I’m curious, does the variety of rose make any difference? As I don’t use chemicals in my gardening, is there any reason I couldn’t simply pick a flower from one of my own plants to make this? Are heritage varieties better than new types, etc.?
Hi Cathy!
I have heard that Bulgarian rose water is the best variety, but I have used many different types from different companies and have even made my own rose water from my garden. All of them worked great! Rose in general has special PH balancing properties, so no matter which one you use, it will benefit your skin.
The only rose I haven’t tried is wild rose which I expect would be REALLY medicinal. Hope this helps!
These are good recipe and tips to make a good rose water.Your insights are very helpful for my skin care.
wow, I’ve Always loved the smell of rose, but these tips are wonderful for skin. I have had combination/acenic prone skin all my life, and I will try this as well as the oatmeal mask! Thanks again for your great holistic tips and home-remedies!
Aw, thanks for the comment! I do my best! =) Rose water is kind of amazing!