Midnight Caramel: The Virtues of Hydrosols (Floral Waters)

I recently wrote a post about cornflower water, and I realized that most of the people who commented on it hadn't heard about using floral water (hydrosols) as skincare. Many were curious and wanted to try it. So I thought I'd share a little bit more on the subject! Now, by no means am I an expert. The information I share here is a mix of various explanations I found on different websites and on my own bottles (sources are given at the bottom of the post). I hope this will help you and that it'll make you want to try Hydrosols!

What are Hydrosols?
Hydrosols belong to the world of aromatherapy, and they are also known as hydrolats, floral waters, and plant waters. Hydrosols do not come just from flowers. Roots, bark, branches, wood, needles and leaves, even fruit and seeds can produce both oils and hydrosols. These aromatic waters are produced from the condensed water vapour during the steam distillation of the whole plant. The resulting fragrant water contains the very essence of everything that was contained within the plant when it was still alive and growing.

Important: Some brands call their products "Floral Waters" when, in fact, they add essential oils or synthetics to their water, sometimes with alcohol. These are not Hydrosols. So be careful with that: if you want real and natural floral water, it should be called Hydrosol or, at least, it shouldn't contain any of these. I buy mine organic, and I advise you to do the same.

What are they for?
Floral waters have been used in cooking and skincare for a long time. Their gentleness makes them an excellent way to tone, hydrate, and rebalance the pH of the skin, so they are frequently recommended as final cleansers/toners after cleansing or nourishing masks. Most also have antibacterial and antiviral action and can disinfect sensitive or damaged skin without the harshness of detergents or alcohol-based lotions. Some can be used internally and on children, even babies.

What can I find them and what are their benefits?
There are many Hydrosols available out there. I buy mine here, and also at a local shop where they sell this brand. These are French, but I browsed the web a little and you'll definitely have some choice on other websites and local shops, wherever you live.

Here are the most common Hydrosols and their properties (I focused on skincare, but they also have many other virtues!).

1/ Rose: It can be used by itself as a toner, used to moisten a mask, or used in place of water in lotions or cosmetics recipes. Rosewater stimulates the skin, heightening the blood flow. It controls and balances sebum production, making it useful for both dry and oily skin. It can balance and restore the skin's Ph and helps tighten pores. Its antibacterial properties help fight acne giving troubled skin a gentle, rather than a harsh treatment.

2/ Chamomile: Effectively treats irritated skin, rashes, sunburn, acne, rosacea, couperose and other inflamed skin conditions. It's a soothing toner and great for healing nappy rash and for any skin irritation.

3/ Lavender: Lavender hydrosol is gentle, balancing for all skin types, cooling in summer's heat, soothing sunburns, healing irritation. It gently tones oily, dry and mature skin, cleanses gently and safely. Lavender has always been recommended for fragile or damaged skin. It makes a wonderful ingredient for face masks for all skin types, a gentle toner or cleanser and a great mister to ease sunburn or windburn.

4/ Cornflower: The first choice for swollen or itchy eyes, as a compress for a stye, dark circles or conjunctivitis. An excellent choice for dry, devitalized, crepey, or mature skin. An excellent compress for bruises. A wonderful toner for delicate skin, and a wonderful cleanser for baby's skin.

5/ Neroli (Orange blossom): mildly astringent and may be the hydrosol of choice for oily skin. A valuable skin toner that helps clear acne and clean skin impurities.

6/ Witch hazel: Antioxydant, soothing and anti-inflammatory, anti fungal and anti-bacterial. A wonderful toner for teenage skin, as well as a free radical scavenger recommended for anti-aging skin treatments. It treats psoriasis, eczema, cracked or blistered skin, insect bites.

There are many many more: Basil, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Carrot, Cistus, Jasmin, Cinnamon,...
Everyone can find the Hydrosols that suit them best!

And the great thing about Hydrosols is that they're natural, effective and not expensive!

Would you like to try and make your own rose water? Here is a rose water DIY!
And if you want to learn even more about Hydrosols, this page is for you! It's really interesting and gets to the bottom of the subject.