Also known as floral waters or waters of distillation, hydrosols are a by-product of essential oil distillation. They are wonderful for natural skin care products and they help to hydrate, tone, soothe, heal and freshen the skin.
Hydrosols have many uses including being great as a facial toner, an aftershave or a make-up fixative. They can be added to natural hair products to give lustre and body and to impart a beautiful but subtle fragrance.
They’re an excellent addition to facial clay masks adding their balancing and therapeutic properties. For after mask or after facial scrub treatments, floral waters can be spritzed on the face to tone and soothe the skin.
After waxing or shaving, hydrosols are very useful as an antiseptic and to soothe the area, again using them in a spray or spritz.
Here are some of the most common hydrosols and their benefits and uses:
Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)
A soothing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory hydrosol that is an excellent remedy for tired, red eyes due to strain, allergy and airborne pollution. Can be used as a facial toner for sensitive and dehydrated skin.
Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)
Jasmine hydrosol is made by using the pure essential oil (absolute) with a natural emulsifier such as alcohol or a solubilizer, blended into spring water. This is because Jasmine is not produced by steam distillation but by enfleurage. It has soothing and hydrating properties making is excellent for mature and dry skin types.
Lavender (Lavendula augustfolia)
This floral water is great for most skin types. It has excellent anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium)
Similar to Jasmine hydrosol, Neroli is also produced with a natural disperser. It is a wonderful skin tonic and pick-me-up for tired complexions and rejuvenates all skin types, especially oily, dry, combination and acneous skins. It is mildly antiseptic and have a delicately scented, uplifting fragrance.
Rose (Rosa Damascena)
Another absolute, Rose hydrosol is produced with a natural emulsifier/disperser. This floral water is excellent for relieving skin burns and rashes and skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. It’s wonderful floral aroma is soothing to all skin types including dry, mature, sensitive and dehydrated skin.
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Extracted from a scrub, witch hazel is ideally suited to oily and acneous skin. It is an astringent and is cooling, soothing and dehydrating.
Our next post shows you a handy infographic so you can see, at a glance, what the best hydrosols are to use for your skin type.
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