Each spring I am overjoyed as my rosa rugosa bushes explode with brilliant pink blossoms, sending their delightful fragrance drifting through the air. As the roses bloom throughout the summer, I never get tired of finding ways to use them. Rosewater is one of my favorites, as it captures the rose’s incredible beauty, amazing fragrance, along with its impressive skin-care properties.

How to make rosewater

It is very easy to make rosewater yourself, and by making your own you will be getting the freshest and most beautiful rosewater possible. Rosewater is made by either slowly simmering rose petals in water or using the power of the sun through solar extraction, extracting the beneficial compounds.

Supplies

• Fresh rose petals
• Distilled water
• Glass bottles for storing
• Glass jar (solar extraction)
• Pan (stove-top extraction)

1. Make sure the roses you are using are free from chemicals. Remove petals and give them a rinse to remove dirt and any insects that may be hiding.
2. Place petals in a glass jar or pan; depending on the extraction method you are using.
3. To solar steep rose petals, heat water to nearly boiling and pour over petals in a glass jar and cover with a lid. Place in the sunshine, using the heat of the sun to help with extraction.
4. Simmering the petals on the stove can be done if you’re in a hurry. Keep at a low simmer to prevent the beneficial compounds from being destroyed by the heat.
5. Whatever method you choose, use just enough water to barely cover petals, as the petals will shrink considerably.
6. Once the petals have lost their color, strain the rosewater and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

How to use your rosewater

Apply rosewater with a cotton pad or spray bottle after cleansing or whenever you want to refresh or soothe your skin; or just want to enjoy its wonderful fragrance.

Rosewater’s skin-care benefits

Rosewater helps hydrate dry sensitive skin, while also removing excess oil from the skin; making it useful for all skin types.

Cosmetic products have a profound effect on skin pH. Typical tap water, even without the use of a cleanser, can increase skin pH up to six hours – with hard water affecting skin pH more than soft water. Since rosewater has a pH similar to our skin, it can help restore the skin’s natural balance; helping the skin function as it should. With improvements in skin barrier function, moisture levels, and improving the skin’s natural beneficial microflora, while suppressing the troublesome ones. Because of rosewater’s pH balancing properties, along with its ability to remove impurities left on the skin after cleaning, it makes a great skin toner. 1

The high amount of antioxidants in rosewater helps protect the skin from damage and helps strengthen and rejuvenate the skin; helping keep skin healthy. Rosewater also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin from a variety of causes. It is great to have some rosewater around if you enjoy spending time in the sunshine as its high antioxidant levels provides protection from UV radiation. It is a great sun protecting agent, helping prevent photoaging from the sun which is seen as wrinkles, unevenness, and loss of skin elasticity. 2,3

Rosewater not only soothes the skin, it also helps soothe the mind. While you are using rosewater and inhaling its aroma, it is helping to brighten your mood as it brightens your skin. When you give yourself a dab or spritz, breathe deeply as you enjoy its rich floral scent. Exciting research is showing the effects of rosewater inhalation on anxiety. 4

Rosewater ice cubes

Making rosewater ice cubes allows you to enjoy the skin-care benefits even in the middle of winter, along with the beautiful color and fragrance of the rose.

Mist is very helpful for hydrating the skin, which is especially dry in the winter months. With the rose’s soothing and hydrating qualities, spraying rosewater on your skin can help ease the discomfort of dry irritated skin. Research also shows how mist improves facial moisture levels by penetrating into and remaining in the skin; especially during the winter. 5

Rosewater ice cubes are also wonderful to have around during the summer months. Rubbing an ice cube on a sunburn will help soothe the pain and inflammation.

Check out how to add roses to your ice cubes in our Floral Icecubes post!

References:

1. Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006 Oct;28(5):359-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x. PMID: 18489300.
2. Safia Abidi, Najma Shaheen, Iqbal Azher and Zafar Alam Mahmood. Photoprotective and antioxidant activities along with phytochemical investigation of rose water. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2018 June; 9(12): 5320-5326.
3. Abidi Safia, Zaidi Aamir, Azhar Iqbal, Sultan Rafi, Mahmood Zafar. Assessment of rose water evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of rose water based cream formulation. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 2019; 11(1): 43-48.
4. Barati F, Nasiri A, Akbari N, Sharifzadeh G. The Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Patients. Nephrourol Mon. 2016 Jul 31;8(5):e38347.
5. Ohno H, Nishimura N, Yamada K, Shimizu Y, Nishimura R, Iwase S, Sugenoya J, Sato M. Water nanodroplets make a greater contribution to facial skin moisture levels in air-conditioned rooms during winter than in summer. Skin Res Technol. 2015 May;21(2):207-13. doi: 10.1111/srt.12178. Epub 2014 Aug 11. PMID: 25130532.