What is rose water, production features. Useful properties and contraindications. How to make rose water with your own hands? Methods of using the product in cosmetology for the body, face, hair. Real reviews.
Rose water is a cosmetic product with a pronounced rose scent. It has been used since ancient times to rejuvenate and cool the skin. In the Middle East and Asia, it is used in cooking for the preparation of sweets. The first mention of the fact that rose water and essential oil can be prepared from rose petals occurs in 916 (the Arab philosopher Ibn Khaldun "Chronicles"). Until the 17th century, a product from India was widely distributed, later other countries - Egypt, Tunisia, Bulgaria - began to produce it. On the territory of the former USSR, the first production was organized in the Crimea, later in the Krasnodar Territory (RF) and in Moldova. In the 21st century, Crimea remains the main supplier of this valuable cosmetic product on the territory of the Russian Federation.
What is rose water?
In the photo, the process of producing rose water
Rose water is a by-product of rose oil production. Some people mistakenly believe that it is enough to mix it with water to get the desired cosmetic product, but this is not the case.
The production of rose oil and water is still a partially manual process:
- Flowers are picked by hand on oil rose plantations. They start work early - at 5 am, finish no later than 10 am. Heating by the petal by the sun is not allowed: the dewdrops on them should not dry out. It is at this time that they contain the most oil. The bud should be fully open.
- To get 1 liter of oil, you need to collect a huge number of rose petals - 3-3, 5 tons of red and 5-6 white.
- The petals are collected in bags and immediately sent for processing. Delays between the stage of collection and loading of raw materials in the distillation vessel are unacceptable.
Rose water is produced by hydrodistillation. Petals (1 part) are placed in a large vat and water (2, 5 parts) is poured, heating with live or deaf steam is performed. A little primary rose oil is collected from the resulting distillate, and the remaining water is sent to secondary distillation (cobination). After that, the main amount of oil is obtained. The remaining water is pink. It is used in perfumery or cooking.
The price of Hemani rose water 50 ml - 250 rubles.
Depending on the manufacturer, the percentage of oil in rose water ranges from 0.025 to 0.1%. The more, the stronger the aroma and the more pronounced the healing properties of the product.
The composition of rose water is similar to the oil of the same name:
- citronellol;
- geraniol;
- phenylethyl alcohol;
- nerod;
- eugenol;
- linalbetool;
- rose oxide;
- beta damascinone;
- beta ionone.
Natural rose water is inexpensive. For example, for a 200 ml bottle produced by the AASHA HERBALS brand (Ayurvedic products) you need to pay only 230 Russian rubles, and you can buy rose water from the Pakistani brand Hemani for 250 rubles, although the volume here is four times less - only 50 ml.
Useful properties of rose water in cosmetology
The benefits of rose water are due to its constituent components. The most pronounced are aseptic properties, regenerating, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing. In other words, this cosmetic product is ideal for problem skin.
Properties of rose water:
- restores the skin after sunburn - an effective replacement for the pharmacy D-Panthenol;
- normalizes skin pH - maintains it at 5, 5;
- cleans well;
- destroys bacteria;
- normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands;
- fights inflammation;
- relieves itching;
- moisturizes and tones the skin - suitable instead of a traditional tonic;
- slows down the aging process - a strong antioxidant;
- protects against free radicals;
- gives an impetus to the skin to renew itself.
Contraindications and harm of rose water
Rose water is harmless. The only contraindication is individual intolerance, which is extremely rare. To test the product, apply it to the skin at the crook of the elbow and wait 24 hours. If there is no itching and redness, feel free to use it.
Even pregnant and lactating women are allowed to use rose water. It will not harm the child either.
How to make rose water?
The photo shows how to make rose water at home
If you have a lot of roses in your country house, try making this healthy cosmetic product yourself. You can use petals from bushes of different varieties. But most of all oils are in flowers of saturated shades - red, burgundy, bright orange. Rosehip petals are ideal.
How to make rose water at home:
- Collect the petals from the flowers in the early morning - the dew should not dry on them. Rinse them under running water and pat dry on sterile gauze.
- Place them in a thick-bottomed enamel saucepan a few centimeters thick.
- Fill with distilled water a couple of centimeters above the level of the petals.
- Bring water to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer the petals for about 1 hour.
- Strain the resulting water, squeeze the liquid from the petals.
- Pour the finished product into a sterile container.
- Close the container with a sterile lid and refrigerate.
For a more concentrated product, boil another batch of petals in rose water. You will get a product with a pronounced aroma. It can be used instead of eau de toilette.
You can make rose water at home in another way:
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 from the previous technology.
- Place a heavy vessel with a wide neck in the center of the pan: rose water will collect in it.
- Pour water into a saucepan, flush with the petals and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pan with a glass lid, turning it upside down - the handle should be above the installed container.
- Put crushed ice on the lid: it will speed up the process of condensation.
- When the container inside the pot is filled with rose water, turn off the heat.
Ways to use rose water
Rose water has been used as a cosmetic product since time immemorial. She found her application in medicine, but most often the tool is used for the purpose of rejuvenation and solving other cosmetic problems. Further, there are popular ways to use rose water in cosmetology.
Rose water for face
Rose water can be used as a tonic. Wash your face as usual using a cleanser - gel, scrub or foam, and then pat your face with rose water. To enhance antiseptic properties, you can mix it with a decoction of medicinal herbs, such as calendula or sage.
Specialty stores sell rose water-based cleansers. However, you can experiment and cook something like this yourself. Buy the gel cleanser you usually use and replace about a third with rose water, shake well. Use as usual, morning and evening. Also use rose water as a tonic.
Some branded creams also contain rose water. Good reviews of Garnier Botanic Cream for dry and sensitive skin and Secret Key Rose Water Base Gel Cream for all skin types, including dry and problematic. If you have time, you can prepare the cream yourself. Thanks to rose water, it will smell good, but you will have to store it in the refrigerator and for a very short time - it quickly deteriorates.
Rose water for hair
It is best to use rose water as a rinse aid. It fights well with excess oiliness, reduces the amount of dandruff. With prolonged use, you can generally get rid of problems such as oily roots and seborrhea.
A mask with rose water based on blue clay will also be effective. It is done simply:
- Dilute the clay not with plain water, but with pink water. The output should be a mass of creamy texture - not too thick, but not liquid either.
- Wash your hair, then apply a homemade mask to your hair roots and scalp.
- Cover your head with cellophane, and on top make a turban out of a towel.
- Wash your hair with clean water 30 minutes after applying the mask.
Rose water for body
This is the most correct application of rose water. Treat yourself to a royal treat: mix milk, honey and rose water and immerse yourself in a luxurious warm bath. It is clear that not every woman can afford such relaxation.
You can do it easier: make a bath with your favorite foam and add a bottle of fragrant product to the water. It is financially available to everyone.
Rose water for the body is a real elixir of youth. Only you need to use it regularly and necessarily in combination with special caring and anti-aging creams. In addition, the product has an excellent soothing effect due to its pleasant scent.
Another use of rose water for skin is as a regular toner. Take a shower or bath, dry your skin with a terry towel, then spray yourself with a fragrance and dry naturally. After about an hour, you can apply your favorite skin care cream.
Regular use results in moisturized, soft-touch, velvety skin. If there were any pimples on the body before using rose water, they will gradually dry out, the inflammation will turn pale and gradually disappear. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to use rose petal oil, only it must be mixed with any of the base oils - olive, peach, linseed.
Real reviews about rose water in cosmetology
If you doubt the effectiveness of this cosmetic product, be sure to read the rose water reviews. People share their results, and also tell how they prepare the product with their own hands, with what they mix it in order to achieve the desired effect.
Svetlana, 29 years old
A friend gave me cosmetics for her birthday, which contains rose water. The effect was amazing. When the cosmetics ran out, I decided to ask if it was possible to buy rose water separately. It turned out that you can. I use it all the time now. I have problem skin: just a little, immediately pimples pour out. Thanks to the rose water, the skin is almost completely cleansed.
Elvira, 33 years old
My hair is naturally greasy at the roots and dry at the ends. What shampoos I have not used: enough for a maximum of 2 days, then the head starts to itch, and hello, dandruff. I read about rose water for hair on the Internet and decided to make it with my own hands, fortunately, my mother has a real rose garden in the country. I did it in a simple way: I put the petals in a saucepan, filled it with distilled water and boiled it. I rinsed my head with the liquid that turned out after each wash. A month later, I was surprised to note that I had not washed my hair for 4 days, and it is still not oily. Now I use this water all the time, I mostly buy it in pharmacies, and in the season of flowering roses I do it myself.
Olga, 45 years old
I read reviews about rose water for face and body, that this cosmetic product rejuvenates well and bought 2 bottles at once. I used it honestly for a whole month: I sprayed it on the skin of the neck and décolleté, washed and dried with a soft towel. Didn't see any result. Maybe I just got the wrong tool? The second experience was more successful. I bought a face cream with rose water in the composition. I have very dry skin, and I had to somehow solve the peeling problem. The inexpensive cream of the Garnier company (Botanic cream), surprisingly, quickly solved the problem. It turns out that rose water itself turned out to be a very weak remedy for me. But together with other moisturizing ingredients, it gave the desired effect.
How to use rose water in cosmetology - watch the video:
Rose water is a healthy natural cosmetic product that can be used by everyone, regardless of age and gender. It moisturizes the skin well, relieves inflammation and itching, dries acne, and makes fine wrinkles less noticeable. You can buy rose water in cosmetics stores, pharmacies, and online stores. Always choose a natural product that contains rose petal oil and distilled water and is free from chemical additives. Only such a remedy will not harm the body and will not cause allergies.
