What is a Hydrosol? It’s a healing water and the by-product of the actual distillation process of essential oils. The highest quality Hydrosols are steamed in small batches of fresh floral and plant material, like flowers, leaves, roots, barks, stems and seeds for the production of Hydrosols only. Every drop contains the water-soluble active principles of the whole plant. There is a small amount of the essential oil about 5% retained in the water that disperse in an ionized form. They are just like essential oils but a milder form. They are not to be confused with floral waters which are waters with added essential oils.
What is the benefit of using a Hydrosol? The mildly antiseptic, anti inflammatory, and cooling properties are wonderfully balancing as well as rejuvenating to the skin, while the vitamins and minerals nourish. The waters are so full of nutrients and therapeutic properties, which make them great for all skin types and contain skin-soothing substances. The nutrients are also valuable to the scalp and hair.
How to store your Hydrosol? When not being blended with other products, they should always be kept in a cool dark place and in the refrigerator during warmer months.
- You can use Hydrosols in Toners, Body Sprays, Facial Oils, Creams & Lotions
- Use Hydrosols to keep clay masks moist to continue pulling out toxins while keeping the good oils in your skin
- After cleansing your skin spray onto skin and apply facial oil right away to trap in the moister
- Add them to dry scrubs & masks in place of water
Some of our favorites:
Basil – All Skin Types especially Oily, Acne & Aging. Mild Tonic, Cleansing, Balancing, Free Radical Scavenger & stimulate new Hair Growth. Basil helps the active ingredients of other herbs to penetrate the Skin. Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Fungal.
Calendula – Sensitive & Irritated. Eczema, Refreshing, Healing, Skin Disorders, Epidermal Scratches, Scars, Abrasions, Rashes, Sunburn, Burns, Hotspots & All around Skin Tonic. Anti-Septic, Astringent, Anti-Bacterial Anti-Microbial & Anti-Inflammatory.
Cistus (Labdanum) – All Skin Types especially Wrinkles & Fine Lines. Tightening, Detoxifying, Helps Plump up Skin Cells, Cleansing, Healing for Wounds, Healing of Scar Tissue, Prevent & Stop Bleeding. It may also be effective in helping to Heal & Prevent Stretch Marks. Powerful Anti-Aging & strong Astringent.
Chamomile, German – All Skin Types especially Dry, Sensitive, Aging & Irritated. Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea, Soothing, Itching, Spider Veins, Burns, Improves Elasticity, Reduces Puffiness & Dark Circles. Powerful Anti Inflammatory, Anti Bacterial & Antiseptic.
Chamomile, Roman – Soothing, for All Skin Types especially Fair Skin, Sensitive, Inflamed, Oily & Acne prone. Toning, Calms Rashes, Great for Burns. Astringent & strong Anti-Inflammatory.
Clary Sage – All Skin Types especially Oily, Acne and Congested. Balancing, Toning, Revitalizing, Improves Elasticity, Cell Regenerator, Reduces size of Pores, Dandruff & Hair-loss. Astringent, Antiseptic, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Inflammatory.
Cornflower – All Skin Types especially Dry, Delicate thin Skin & Aging. Eczema, Healing, Soothing, Toning, Firming, Hydrating, Disinfect Wounds, Eye wash for Tired & Puffy Eyes, Use for Dandruff, A Rinse for Pale Blonde, White & Grey Hair. Anti-Inflammatory, Astringent & Antiseptic.
Cucumber – Sensitive Skin. Healing, Soothing, Toning, Hydrating, extremely Refreshing, Cooling, Repairs Damaged Skin, reduces Fine Lines, reduces Pores, Strengthens Collagen, Elastin & Connective Tissue. Use in the summer as a crisp refreshing face & body spray. High in Vitamin C, High in Silica. Anti-Inflammatory.
Frankincense – All Skin Types especially Dry, Aging & Acne. Reduces Wrinkles, Hydrating, Toning, Lifting, Firming, Helps maintain Skin Elasticity, Refines Skin Texture & Helps fade Stretch Marks. Antiseptic
Helichrysum – Dry, Sensitive, Oily, Mature & Aging. Rosacea, Toning, Healing, Hydrating, Congested, Damaged & Helps to Heal Scar Tissue. Analgesic, Anti-Oxidant & Anti-Inflammatory.
Holy Basil (Tulsi) – Oily & Acne. Soothing, Aids Circulation, Opens Clogged Pores & Congested Skin. Anti-Bacterial, Antiseptic, Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Oxidant.
Lavender – All Skin Types, especially Sensitive, Damaged & Fragile. Very Cooling, Soothing, Balancing, Healing, Toning, Rejuvenating, Regenerative, Minor Burns & Rashes. Antiseptic & Anti-Inflammatory.
Lemon Balm/Melissa – Normal, Dry, Oily, Mature & helps combat Acne. Eczema, Nourishing, helps Dull Sluggish Skin, Rashes, Irritations & Sunburn. Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Viral & Anti-Inflammatory.
Lemongrass – All Skin Types especially Oily, Acne & Skin Irritations. Balancing, Toning, Very Refreshing, Invigorating & helps balance Oily Scalps. Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal & Analgesic.
Lemon Verbena – All Skin Types especially Dry & Combination. Hydrating, Cleansing & Clears Impurities. Astringent & Strong Anti-Inflammatory.
Lime – Oily. Soothing, Toning, Invigorating, Refreshing, Stimulates Circulation, Balances pH, Tightens the Skin, Minor Blemishes & Rejuvenating. Astringent.
Neroli (Orange Blossom) – Oily, Sensitive, Mature, Dull, Congested & Blemished. Balancing, Hydrating, Toning, Refreshing, Detoxifying, Cellular Regeneration & improves Elasticity. Astringent & Anti-Bacterial.
Peppermint – Oily, Acne & Blackheads. Cooling, Stimulating, Dull, Irritations, Itchy, Purifies Sluggish Skin & Pores. Antiseptic, Anti-Microbial, Mild Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Inflammatory
Rose – All Skin Types, especially Dry, Sensitive & Mature. Toning, Hydrating, Regenerative, Retains Moisture, Tighten Pores, restores ph Balance, Refreshing to Tired Eyes & Reduces Broken Thread Veins. Mildly Astringent.
Rose Geranium – All Skin Types especially Dry, Combination, Sensitive, Irritated & Acne-prone. Helps relieve Rosacea, Hydrating, Nourishing, Very Balancing & Cell Regenerator. Antiseptic, Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Aging.
Rosemary – Normal, Dry, Oily & Acne. Toning, Balances Oil Glands, Regenerates Cells, Detoxifying, Helps Unclog Pores, Stimulates Circulation, Maintains Hair Shine & Softness. Powerful Anti-Oxidant.
Sandalwood – Dry, Delicate, Oily & Acne. Helps relieve Eczema & Psoriasis, Balancing, Skin Disorders, Tired, Soothes Irritation, Protects Wounds, Sores, Pimples, Boils & Infections. Anti-Inflammatory.
Yarrow – All Skin Types especially Oily, Acne, Inflamed & Irritated. Balancing, Toning, Soothing, Detoxifying & Stimulates Circulation. Since it contains silica, it helps promotes Tissue Repair, Scars & Helps reduce Varicose Veins. Astringent, Antiseptic, Anti-Bacterial & Strong Anti-Inflammatory
Ylang Ylang – All Skin Types especially Dry, Oily & Combination. Cell Regeneration, Restorative & Balances Moisture. Antiseptic, Analgesic, Antibiotic & Anti-Inflammatory
Here are 3 high quality companies for ordering:
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/fwater/fwater.html – Best prices
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/descrip.asp
http://www.shopsimplers.com/collections/hydrosols
A great book Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy Book by Suzanne Catty.
* The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. If you have medical concerns regarding yourself or your family you should seek the advice of qualified, licensed health professionals. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
