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5 Ways to Add Rose Water to Your Skincare Routine

Three different rose water-based products.
Mamonde/Baja Basics/Mario Badescu

Developing and maintaining a good skincare routine is essential, both for beauty and health reasons. Unfortunately, affordability is rarely part of the equation. Rose water, however, is not only affordable, but it can also serve both purposes.

Rose water is created by simply steaming rose petals in water. It’s been the go-to beauty product for women in the Middle East for centuries—even Cleopatra was a fan! Below, we’ll explore why rose water has remained so popular, as well as how you can incorporate it into your own beauty routine.

The Benefits of Rose Water

Rose water is incredibly versatile. People use it for all kinds of reasons, whether they’re beauty-related or born out of necessity. Many consider it to be a skincare miracle worker due to its numerous beneficial properties.

Rose water can do all of the following:

  • Hydrate and revitalize the skin
  • Balance the skin pH levels and control excess oil
  • Reduce skin irritation and burns due to its anti-inflammatory properties
  • Protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals and environmental factors, including UV rays and pollutants, thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants
  • Help heal cuts and wounds, thanks to its antibacterial properties
  • Clean and minimize pores due to its astringent-like properties

That’s quite a list, and most of us have struggled with at least a few of those troublesome skin conditions at one time or another.

Now, let’s take a look at the different ways you can use rose water and start reaping all those benefits!

Rose Water Face Mist

Two spray bottles of Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater.
Mario Badescu

Maybe it’s a hot, humid day, and you want to feel refreshed, or maybe you forgot to put on moisturizer before leaving the house. Perhaps you’re on a long flight and need to keep your face hydrated.

All of these are the perfect situations for a little rose water mist. A few spritzes on your face, and you’ll be good to go! This rose water face mist by Mario Badescu makes a great addition to your everyday essentials. Frequent flyers can also opt for the travel-size spray.

Rose Water Toner

A bottle of Mamonde Rose Water Toner surrounded by roses.
Mamonde

Toning is usually overlooked as an important step in any skincare regimen. Yet, those with oily or acne-prone skin can benefit immensely from its use.

Applying it right after you wash your face can help remove any excess oils or debris left behind, as well as reduce redness and the appearance of large pores. Long-term use can also prevent the development of pimples and blackheads.

Check out this rose water toner by Mamonde if you’re looking for a high-quality product to boost your skincare routine.

Soothe Razor Burn with Rose Water

Shaving, especially when done in a rush, can often result in skin inflammation and infection known as razor burn. While it does go away on its own, it can take a couple of days to clear up.

Spraying some rose water on the affected area can speed up the healing process. You can also use it as a preventive trick next time you shave. You can spritz some Well’s pure rose water on the affected areas to soothe.

Rose Water Hair Mist

A spray bottle of Baja Basics rose water hair mist surrounded by rose petals, a rosemary plant, a drink in a glass, laying on rolled up blue yoga mat
Baja Basics

Believe it or not, rose water can also hydrate your hair and boost its shine. After you’re done washing and conditioning your hair, just add a couple of tablespoons of rose water hair spray by Baja Basics to a cup of water. Then, just rinse your strands with it.

Not only will your hair feel softer, but it will also smell like fragrant roses!

Rose Water Makeup Freshener

Have you ever struggled with cakey foundation due to dry skin in the winter or extended exposure to air conditioning in the summer? Rose water can fix that!

Just a few spritzes throughout the day can freshen your makeup, and give you that “dewy” look that’s trendy right now. Like many beauty influencers, we like this rose water facial spray from Grace & Stella best for makeup refreshes because it’s also vegan and paraben- and sulfate-free.

How to Make Your Own Rose Water

Three bottles of rose water surrounded by pink roses.
OlgaKot17/Shutterstock

If you’re a fan of DIYs and know where to find some quality roses, you’ll be happy to hear you can easily make your own rose water at home. It’s quick, simple, and affordable.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Fresh rose petals from organic roses (as many as you prefer)
  • Distilled water (enough to cover the petals inside a pot)

Instructions:

  1. Remove petals from the roses, then rinse them in lukewarm water to remove any unwanted residue.
  2. Add the petals to a pot and almost cover them completely with distilled water.
  3. Cover the pot, then bring it to a simmer.
  4. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until the petals turn pale.
  5. Strain the mixture to remove the petals.
  6. Store in a glass jar and allow to cool.

You can store your rose water in the fridge. It will keep for a long time, so you can make large batches every so often to make sure you always have some on hand.

If you add rose water to your beauty routine, it won’t be long before you, like Cleopatra, start seeing the benefits of this scented wonder concoction.

Natural beauty trends are quite the rage this year, so be sure to check out some other tips and tricks that can save you time and money.

Carla Cometto Carla Cometto
Carla has been writing professionally for five years and blogging for many more. She's worked as a journalist, photographer, and translator. She's also an avid traveler who hopes to inspire a sense of curiosity and adventure in others through her writing. Read Full Bio »
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