Many people use rose water and rose hydrosol interchangeably. However, there are notable distinctions between the two.
Rosewater is produced via steam distillation, whereas rose hydrosol is naturally infused with fragrant rose oils.
These differences in the production process give rose water and rose hydrosol unique benefits you can't get with the other.
We'll tell you these differences and teach you how to use them for top skincare results!
What Is an Essential Oil?
Essential oils are compounds obtained from plants. The oils seize the "essence" of the plant, giving each essential oil its distinctive perfume.
Essential oils are extracted mechanically by cold pressing or distillation. The production of oils matters because those obtained by chemical procedures are not considered genuine essential oils.
After extraction, the aromatic compounds are mixed with carrier oil to produce a finished product ready for use.
What Is Rose Water?
Rose petals are steam-distilled to produce rose water. Rose water has a pleasant scent and is occasionally used as a gentle natural fragrance in place of perfumes that include chemicals.
Rose water has been used since the ancient period. Both cosmetics and food and beverage products have historically used it. It has a ton of possible health advantages as well.
What is Rose Hydrosol?
Now that we have a brief intro on rose water, what is a rose hydrosol? Rose hydrosol, a by-product of the manufacture of essential oils, is made from the water used to steam plant materials. Instead of simply the rose petals, the entire plant is utilized in this procedure.
The water vapor picks some of the oils up as they pass through the rose's petals, stems, and leaves. The condensation is a rose hydrosol once the water has cooled and turned liquid. The healthy plant minerals still present in this distilled water provide rose hydrosol its reputation for having many good effects on the skin.
Rose Hydrosol Vs. Rose Water
The critical distinction between rose water and rose hydrosol is that rose water is water that retains a certain amount of essential oil of roses. In contrast, rose hydrosol is the scented water that emerges after the steam-distilling of roses. Although more expensive than rose water, rose hydrosol is less common.
How to Use Rose Water in Your Beauty Routine
You can either buy rose water or prepare your own. Once you've got it, you can use it in various ways, such as the following:
Step 1
Utilize it as a toner or facial cleanser. After cleansing with your regular cleanser, rinse your face with rose water.
Step 2
Include it in recipes like hibiscus iced tea. You may also use rose water to create rose water tea or rose petal tea. These can increase moisture, enhance the skin, alleviate digestive issues, and relieve sore throats.
Step 3
Add rose water to a spray bottle to make a mist of it. You can mist the rose water over your arms, face, or pillow. As a result, this can reduce tension.
Top 3 Skin Care Mistakes on Rose Water or Rose Hydrosol
Before you run out and buy some rose water or hydrosol, it's always a good idea to research the product first. Here are three of the top mistakes people make when choosing the right rose water or hydrosol for their skin:
1. Wrong Product on Skin Type
Rose water or hydrosol can be an excellent addition to your skincare routine. However, if you are not dealing with dryness or dehydration, you can afford not to purchase rose water or hydrosol.
Rosewater and hydrating products tend to have very high concentrations of sodium chloride (salt). Therefore, over time, using these products on skin that is not dehydrated could irritate and even cause damage to your skin.
2. Not Cleaning the Face Before Using a New Product
Even though a new product may smell lovely when you apply it, if your face is not clean, it might get irritated or infected. So, always cleanse your face before applying any new product—and use a gentle cleanser that won't dry out your skin.
3. Not Following Directions
Before using any new product, read the instructions carefully and follow them precisely. This is crucial to avoid any adverse effects on your skin health or appearance from misusing this product!
Storage of Hydrosols and Rose Water
Keep your rose hydrosol and rose water out of the direct sun and preferably in a dark area. In addition, always make sure that all bottle caps are screwed snugly onto each of the hydrosol bottles.
Don't overtighten bottle caps because they could shatter and let oxygen in. Avoid this from happening because hydrosols hate oxygen. Moreover, it would help if you kept your hydrosols and rose water in a dry, cold space to increase their shelf life.
Conclusion
Many use rose water and rose hydrosol interchangeably but need to know their significant differences. Rose water is produced from the steam distillation of rose petals. On the other hand, rose hydrosols are the by-product of the manufacture of essential oils.
You can either buy rose water or prepare your own to incorporate into your routine. However, don't make the mistake of choosing them for your skin. So purchase rose water or rose hydrosol to smell the difference and experience their convenience!
