Hydrosol is the water left after extracting essential oil from a plant through water/steam distillation. Here at Oil + Water, we created a face mist that includes two hydrosols: rose and witch hazel. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what these flower waters are, how they’re made and how to use them.

What is Hydrosol?

Hydrosols are often referred to as “flower water”. This is because they are produced by distillation of fresh flowers, leaves, fruits and other plant material. When you distil a plant via water or steam distillation, you have two end-products left: essential oil, which contains the plant’s oil-soluble components, and any condensate, which contains water-soluble components. components are present. As well as microscopic drops of essential oil. We call this condensed water a plant hydrosol. However, hydrosols are much less concentrated. Their fragrance is very soft and subtle when compared to their essential oil counterparts. Due to the high water content, they are also very gentle and can be applied directly to the skin without any dilution.

 

How is hydrosol formed?

Most hydrosols are made by steam distillation. In steam distillation, plant material rich in botanical extracts (leaves, buds, etc.) is placed in a steam distillery. The steam distillery is then injected with hot steam, causing the plants to open up and release their extracts. The steam mixes with the botanicals, creating a hot herbal distillate that then rises to the top of the distillery. Once it reaches the top, the distillate condenses upon contact with the cold ceiling and the resulting liquid moves down a tube into an entirely separate chamber, this is where the essential oil and water is collected. The oil, which contains the highest amount of oil-soluble extract, floats to the top and is skimmed to form the essential oil, while the remaining water is bottled to produce the hydrosol.

 

What should you look for in a hydrosol?

Not all hydrosols are created equal. There are many companies that manually mix essential oils with water and sell them as false hydrosols. To avoid this, don’t forget to check the label of the ingredients every time.

 

What to Look for in a Hydrosol:

Make sure “hydrosol” is listed in the ingredients. The primary component of a high quality hydrosol should be the actual hydrosol, not a mixture of essential oils and water with no added fragrance or perfume. Hydrosols do not require any additional artificial fragrances – they are scented on their own.

 

What are some common plants used to make hydrosols?

There are lots of different plants used to make hydrosols, but here are some of the most common ones you’ll find on the market. As we mentioned, here at Oil + Water, we use Rosehip, Neem Hydrosol, Rosemary Hydrosol, Lavender Hydrosol and Lemongrass Hydrosol in our Face Mists.

 

Rose – You probably already know this: rose water. Rose water is one of the most common hydrosols on the market, as it smells amazing and has some great benefits. Rose water is a wonderful lightweight moisturiser – it acts as a humectant to help draw moisture into the skin and retain it. It is also a mild astringent and helps reduce the appearance of pores while controlling oil production and restoring the skin’s pH balance. Rose water’s hydrating and toning properties make it great for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and it has great antioxidant properties that can help prevent future signs of ageing. Overall, rose water is balancing and calming and is suitable for all skin types, especially mature, dry and/or sensitive skin.

 

Lavender – This lovely-smelling herb makes a wonderful, mild-smelling hydrosol. It is great for cooling and soothing irritated skin (especially from bug bites) and can help improve the appearance of skin that has been damaged by minor cuts and burns. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s great for reducing redness. And, of course, its natural scent is extremely relaxing. It is suitable for all skin types from oily to dry.

 

How do you use Hydrosol?

Hydrosols can be used several times a day, as they are very gentle on the skin. You can use our face mist the same way you would use a hydrosol, as hydrosols are the primary ingredients in it.

 

Here are some ways to incorporate flower water into your beauty routine:

 

  • Use it in combination with a face or body oil to help absorb the oil in the skin. Splash your skin liberally with Hydrosol, then apply the oil while your skin is still damp. This process provides the same benefits as using a cream or lotion, only without the added emulsifier and preservatives.

  • Spray on your face 3 to 4 times a day to replenish your skin. It will keep your skin plump, nourished, hydrated and its all-time best.

  • Use it to set your makeup. Spritz some on to help your makeup stay in place. The post-makeup misting will also give your skin a beautiful dewy finish and help your makeup look more natural.

  • Spray the hydrosol on a cotton pad to remove your makeup. You can do this before cleansing your skin or after cleansing to remove any leftover makeup or residue.

  • Use it after cleansing to balance the pH of your skin. Most of the water in our homes is neutral or slightly alkaline, while the acid mantle of our skin has an optimum pH of 5.5, which is slightly acidic and helps prevent bacterial growth on the skin. A toner is also slightly acidic and can help restore the pH of your skin after rinsing or rinsing with tap water.

  • Use it in place of water when you mix a powder mask for added benefits. This allows you to customise your mask using different hydrosols based on what your skin needs most at any given time.