Flower Waters
July 05, 2021
Benefits of using flower waters on your skin
Flower waters, also known as hydrosols or distillates, have been used in skin care, perfumery and folk medicine for centuries. The flower water was rose water extracted from hydro-distillation of damask rose petals in Iran for perfumery and medicinal uses over 2000 years ago.
Rose and sandalwood distillates have been used for making fragrant attars in India since the Mughal Era. There are even some archaeological archives that show Assyrian tablets dating back centuries before Christ, containing information about using rose and rose water for health and wellness.
Let's have a look at how these floral waters are extracted, and used for beauty and wellness in current times.
HOW IS FLOWER WATER MADE?
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Bi-product of essential oil extraction
Plants and herbs such as rose, lavender, basil, etc. are gently heated in a process called steam distillation. The goal is to extract their essential oils for aromatherapy and medicinal purposes. The condensate recovered from steam-distillation of essential oils is known as flower water or hydrosol.
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Primary extraction as the main product
Some plants like green apple and aloe vera do not have enough essential oils available in them for extraction. Hence, they are steam-distilled purely for aloe water and green apple water.
In both methods, fresh plant matter is harvested to be used immediately for obtaining fresh distillates, and it is heated gently to ensure that the heat-sensitive components in the plant remain viable and effective for use in skin care.
Different Types Of Flower Water
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Based on plant matter
Flower waters are extracted from different parts of the plant. For example, rose, lavender and jasmine waters are obtained from their petals; basil, tea tree and rosemary waters are obtained from their leaves; vetiver, ginger and turmeric waters are obtained from their roots; and frankincense, benzoin and myrrh waters are obtained from their resins. -
Based on production
Flower waters are either pure hydrosols or a blend of different hydrosols and other ingredients. However, true flower waters, like our organic toners, only contain one or more types of hydrosols and no other additives.
How To Recognise True Flower Waters?
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Ingredient Labels
True hydrosols or flower waters only contain distillates of one or more plants. If the ingredient list includes ingredients such as preservatives, solubilizes, or fragrance oils, then it is only a face toner, not a hydrosol or flower water. -
Method of Production
True flower waters are obtained through steam distillation. For example, rose petals infused in distilled water or rose petals boiled in water are considered a rose infusion or rose tea, respectively, and not rose hydrosol or true rose water. -
Foam Testing
On shaking the bottle of flower water, if you see a lot of foam similar to micellar water or cleanser, it means that the ingredients include other additives too. A true hydrosol is transparent and it does not turn soapy. -
Fragrance Testing
True hydrosols smell gentle and pleasant. Their aroma is not lasting like essential oils or fragrance oils. Hence, if the flower water has an intense perfume-like fragrance, it may have other aromatics blended into the formula.
Uses of Flower Water
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Beauty And Fragrance
A variety of organic floral waters like rose water and lavender water are used in making skin care, body care, and hair care products such as cleansers, face toners, face mists, moisturisers, soaps and shampoos for their soothing and aromatic properties. Natural floral waters are also used in aromatherapy and perfumery.
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Medicinal Uses
Research suggests that floral waters are used in Persian folk medicine orally or topically to reduce cholesterol and boost cardiovascular health. Rose water is also suggested in Ayurveda as an antiseptic eye wash for improving vision, alleviating stress and keeping infections at bay.
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Religious And Spiritual Practises
Due to its calming and relaxing effect, rose water is used in religious ceremonies in Iran to wash holy places. In southern parts of India, rose water is scattered during wedding rituals to bless the newly married couple.
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Culinary Uses
Floral waters like rose water, kewra water and orange blossom water are widely used in Middle-Eastern, Persian, and Indian cuisines to add flavour and aroma to drinks, desserts and rice-based dishes.
Uses Of Flower Waters For Skin
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For Skin Cleansin
Soak a cotton pad with organic floral water like rose water or lavender water, and swipe it on your face and neck to cleanse dirt and residual oils from your skin. This method is best suited for your morning skincare routine when you need a gentle and subtle cleanse.
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For Skin Tonin
After cleansing your skin with any of our certified organic face washes, soak a cotton pad with our favourite organic face toners, and swipe it on your face and neck to tone your skin.
This step acts as a second cleanse to remove dirt and dead skin that is left behind after the cleansing process. It also prepares your skin for the rest of your routine.
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For Hydrating Skin
Flower waters can be used as face mists throughout the day to keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated. Spray whenever your skin needs refreshment throughout the day.
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For Facial Masking
Flower waters can be used in place of plain water to activate your face pack for added skincare benefits and create an at-home spa experience.
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For Soothing Skin
Flower water, especially our steam distilled organic face toner can be used as an after-sun remedy to cool and soothe your skin after sun exposure. Cotton pads drenched in organic flower water can also be placed on your eyes for cooling and relaxing the skin around your eyes.
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For Makeup Removal
Soak a cotton pad with organic floral water, and swipe it on your face and neck to cleanse light makeup and kohl. When using waterproof makeup, massage your skin with our White Tea and Sandalwood Cleansing Balm to loosen the pigments. (Patch test is recommended).
Benefits of Flower Water for Skin
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It is good for pore health
Flower waters are natural astringents. They promote pore health by keeping pores clear from congestion and improve their appearance by contracting skin cells.
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It is anti-inflammatory
Flower waters such as aloe vera and lavender waters soothe irritated and inflamed skin and speed up wound healing..
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It has antimicrobial properties
Flower waters such as tea tree, neem, rosemary and basil waters provide anti-bacterial, antifungal and antiviral benefits to oily and acne-prone skin while soothing redness and bumps.
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It moisturizes skin
Flower waters hydrate, moisturize and nourish dry skin while also assisting in sebum regulation on combination skin.
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It improves penetration of other ingredients
Using organic flower water in your skincare regime prepares the skin for the rest of your routine by increasing the absorption and effectiveness of facial oils and serums.
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It improves complexion
Flower waters such as Bulgarian rose and green apple waters stimulate blood circulation in your skin and enhance your natural skin tone.
Juicy Chemistry Steam-Distilled Flower Water
Juicy Chemistry flower waters are 100% natural and cosmos certified organic. They are prepared by a single steam distillation method, without posing any risk to marine life, and without polluting any waterways. They are packed in sustainable and recyclable packaging. And they are dermatologically tested for skin safety and irritation.
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Bulgarian Rose Water
It is clinically proven to improve skin brightness, reduce the appearance of sun tan and enhance the natural tone of your skin by stimulating blood flow.
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Lavender Water Toner
It hydrates dry skin, soothes skin irritation, and balances sebum production on the skin.
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Aloe Vera Water
It promotes skin repair, cools sun-damaged skin, replenishes moisture, and provides anti-inflammatory support to sensitive skin.
FRQs
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Who can use Juicy Chemistry flower waters?
Anyone who wishes to benefit from their hydrating and soothing benefits can use our flower waters. However, please patch test every new product in your inner arm before applying it on your face.
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How to store Juicy Chemistry flower waters?
Essential oils and hydrosols contain compounds that are heat sensitive. Our flower waters are packed in blue glass bottles to protect them from excess heat. In addition to this, it is important to keep the bottles away from heat and direct sunlight.
REFERENCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737971/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871258/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283600420_Turkish_rose_A_review_of_the_history_ethnobotany_and_modern_uses_of_rose_petals_rose_oil_rose_water_and_other_rose_products