With a pleasant scent and anti-inflammatory properties, rose water and rose hydrosol are the perfect addition to homemade cosmetics. Learn several ways to make your own rose water or hydrosol and the difference between them.
What is it?
The term “rose water” can refer to several different products. Some people use the terms “rose water” and “rose hydrosol” interchangeably. There are times when you can do that, but not always.
Rose water vs. rose hydrosol?
Some rose water is made by infusing rose oil, extracts, or flavorings into water. It tends to be quite fragrant and also flavorful.
Rose hydrosols, on the other hand, are made by distillation. Water vapor moves through rose petals, picking up some of the oils along the way. When the vapor is cooled, the condensation is called a rose hydrosol.
Edible rose water
One type of rose water can sometimes be found in the international food section of some large supermarkets. It is used for flavoring foods and is especially popular in Asia and the Middle East.
It is perfectly fine to use these sorts of rose waters for adding fragrance to your cosmetics. In fact, they tend to have a stronger scent (and flavor). As these waters can be made in different ways, make sure to read the label to see if the one you plan to use has any ingredients you want to avoid.
Adding rose oil to water
Another way to make a type of rose water is to add rose essential oil to water.
Because water and oil don’t normally mix, you’ll need some sort of solubilizer to get this to work.
The most commonly found solubilizer that you can use is alcohol. To dilute rose oil in water, you’d first dilute it in a high percentage of alcohol. (For the best solubilization, the percentage should be over 95%.)
Once the oil has been incorporated into the alcohol, distilled water can be added. The final mixture should ideally stay above 20% alcohol to keep the floral water preserved without the need to add other preservatives. Read More…………
