Rose water: all its benefits applied to cosmetics

Rosewater softens, soothes, calms, moisturises and tones the skin, and has been used since time immemorial to enhance beauty. Although it is often used as an ingredient in countless make-up removers and cleansers, it is also found in body lotions, soaps, moisturisers, facial mists, sprays and even sunscreens. Its high content of vitamins B, C and E helps prevent skin conditions such as acne or irritation, as well as balancing the pH.

Moisturising facial toners are one of the jewels of our everyday cosmetics. One of their main ingredients is often rose water, which provides a soothing and refreshing sensation to the skin while also de-inflaming it and preventing early oxidation, especially for sensitive or irritated skin.

‘The rise of natural cosmetics has led many people, especially in rural areas, to make their own at home, all you need is a few rose petals and distilled water. In addition to the hydration and freshness it provides, it is very good for treating blemishes and/or rejuvenating the skin, we will notice it is less inflamed and therefore healthier’, explains Filip Van, CEO of Di Oleo, who use it in many of their products, highlighting their body lotion with CBD, their 100% natural and vegan body butter and another body lotion with damask rose and shea butter.

Esperanza Sáenz, image manager at Nezeni Cosmetics, also highlights its role as a skin anti-inflammatory: ‘With the help of rose water, in combination with betaine and witch hazel, among other ingredients, we can prevent the dermis from losing water, reduce sebum and reduce redness and swelling. Although it has anti-inflammatory power, this is enhanced if it acts with other equally effective ingredients’.

Su uso como desmaquillante y unificador de la piel

Sobre todo, el agua de rosas se acostumbra a usar como desmaquillante, tras el agua micelar o cualquier otro limpiador que utilicemos. Su función no es tanto eliminar los restos de residuos de maquillaje, que ya lo hace el agua micelar, como de aportar frescor, calmar la piel y dejarla más suave e hidratada: “Otro beneficio relevante del agua de rosas es su función unificadora de la piel, visiblemente notable cuando tenemos la tez apagada, las mejillas coloradas o exceso de brillo en la zona periocular” – matiza Esperanza Sáenz.

Curiosities about rose water

• It’s obtained by separating its oil from the water, when we manage to evaporate it. It is a distillation process that consists of boiling water over a low heat, where the rose petals (dried or not) are added for 1-2 minutes. When the fire is turned off, it is left to stand for more than an hour and once it has cooled, the result is poured into a glass container for preservation, properly covered and sealed.
• It has been used since ancient times, with Damascus roses being the most commonly used. Although the best known is the Bulgarian rose, it is thought that its origin may be in ancient Persia.
• Its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make rose water absolutely essential in moisturising masks, tonics and facial mists, or in serums to reduce and decongest eye bags, best applied at night.

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