Rose water has a very soothing fragrance and has also been a valuable product since the early days. It is said that Cleopatra used rose water as a main beauty product for herself in Ancient Egypt. In Ancient India and Ancient Greece, rose water was added to cuisines to enhance the taste of desserts. A lot of the benefits of rose water are essentially therapeutic as it has healing, soothing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It is also abundant in vitamins such as A, B3, C, D and E as well as flavonoids. However, rose water is primarily used to cure skin conditions and improves drying, spotting, swelling and aging of the skin. Apart from that, when mixed with other natural ingredients, rose water can be used in products such as lotions, aftershaves, moisturizers and also shampoos. There are many ways of making rose water; here is a simple and easy way to do it.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time required: 20-25 minutes
Resources required:
- One cup rose petals
- Two cups distilled water
- One wide mouthed container
- One sieve or cheesecloth
- One heat resistant bowl
Instructions:
1. Picking the petals and cleaning them
Firstly, you must try to handpick roses from your garden. If you have bought the roses from a florist then pluck the petals and wash them in cool water in order to remove any traces of chemicals and pesticides as they cause irritation to the skin. However, you can skip this step if the roses have been picked from your garden.
2. Adding the petals
Take enough petals that can be tightly packed inside one cup. Then you can add them to a bowl.
3. Making the rosewater
Then add two cups of boiling distilled water to one cup of rose petals. You must then cover the bowl with a lid or plate and let it stay for around half an hour or so. During this time, the rose petals will release their fragrance in the water.
4. Sieving the water
After the wait, you can then sieve the rosewater by either using a sieve or cheesecloth in a container. Once you have separated the water from the petals, you can then cover the container and refrigerate your home made rosewater.
Frequently asked questions:
How can a moisturizer be made using rose water?
It is great to use a natural moisturizer as it not only softens the skin but also lends a typical glow to your skin. Cosmetics with natural ingredients are not only healthy but are very safe on all skin types and have no side effects. Making moisturizer by using rose water is very easy. First of all, you have to make your own home made rose water by using the above steps. Do remember to use cool rose water for making the moisturizer. Then take the following measurements for making the moisturizer: one tablespoon of honey, olive oil, coconut oil ; two tablespoons of rosewater and also split open two capsules of Vitamin E and add the contents. Give the mixture a thorough stir and pour it in a container and store. You can keep using this moisturizer which will make your skin very soft and youthful.
Quick tips:
- Rose water can be used as it is and works as a great toner for the skin. However, you may also like to use it as a moisturizer by adding glycerin to it which gives it healing properties.
- Cracked heels can be cured beautifully by applying homemade rose water moisturizer.
Things to watch out for:
Make sure that you wash the rose petals as they tend to contain remnants of chemicals, pesticides, dirt or even bugs that can interfere with your skin. Make sure that you wash the petals under cool water without squeezing the petals.
