HYDRATOR
Rose Water
A gentle botanical distillate of Damask rose, valued for its soothing, hydrating feel and traditional antioxidant reputation.
Source
Damask rose flowers (steam distillate)
Used for
Toning, skin conditioning, a light rose scent
How it works
Rose water is traditionally produced by steam-distilling Rosa damascena petals, carrying over the plant's water-soluble antioxidant compounds.
Rose petals are naturally rich in polyphenol antioxidants (plant compounds widely documented for their free-radical-scavenging properties), which is part of why rose water has been valued for centuries as a simple, soothing skin toner.
Rose water is typically used as a toning mist straight after cleansing, prepping skin for the serums and moisturiser that follow, and suits both morning and evening use. Those with known rose or fragrance sensitivities may want to patch test before regular use.
Rose petals are naturally rich in polyphenol antioxidants (plant compounds widely documented for their free-radical-scavenging properties), which is part of why rose water has been valued for centuries as a simple, soothing skin toner.
Rose water is typically used as a toning mist straight after cleansing, prepping skin for the serums and moisturiser that follow, and suits both morning and evening use. Those with known rose or fragrance sensitivities may want to patch test before regular use.
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Rich in polyphenol antioxidant compounds from rose petals
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A traditional toning, hydrating botanical
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Gentle enough for daily use as a facial mist
Questions
What is rose water?
Rose water is the fragrant water produced by distilling the flowers of the Damask rose, Rosa damascena. On ingredient lists it usually appears as Rosa Damascena Flower Water, used for its scent and to keep skin feeling conditioned and protected. Distilling the flowers remains the traditional way rose water is made. (European Commission CosIng; Moein et al., 2014)
Is rose water the same as rose oil?
No. Both are made from Damask rose flowers by distillation, but rose water is a water-based product with a softer balance of scent compounds, led by phenylethyl alcohol, while rose oil is the flower's essential oil. (Verma et al., 2011; European Commission CosIng)
What does research on rose water show?
Research on rose water has focused mainly on its chemistry. Analyses show it carries the flower's gentle scent compounds, led by phenylethyl alcohol. In cosmetics, rose water is listed with fragrance, skin conditioning and skin protecting functions, which underpins its long-standing place in toners and facial mists. (Verma et al., 2011; Moein et al., 2014; European Commission CosIng)
Where it comes from
The Damask rose is an old rose with a hybrid past, descended from three wild rose species, Rosa moschata, Rosa gallica and Rosa fedschenkoana. Its oldest varieties have only ever been grown from cuttings, never from seed. (Iwata et al., 2000)
The Damask rose is grown for its fragrance and is the source of rose oil and rose water. Rose water is traditionally made by distilling the flowers. (Verma et al., 2011; Moein et al., 2014)
The Damask rose is grown for its fragrance and is the source of rose oil and rose water. Rose water is traditionally made by distilling the flowers. (Verma et al., 2011; Moein et al., 2014)
Good to know
Rose water carries some of the rose's natural scent compounds, including citronellol, which can appear on the ingredient list of products that contain it. If you have a known fragrance allergy, check the label and patch test first. (Verma et al., 2011)
The research
- European Commission CosIng database: Rosa Damascena Flower Water (functions: fragrance, skin conditioning, skin protecting) (opens in a new tab)
- Moein M, Zarshenas MM, Delnavaz S. Chemical composition analysis of rose water samples from Iran. Pharmaceutical Biology, 2014;52(10):1358-1361. PMID: 24863280 (opens in a new tab)
- Verma RS, Padalia RC, Chauhan A, Singh A, Yadav AK. Volatile constituents of essential oil and rose water of damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) cultivars from North Indian hills. Natural Product Research, 2011;25(17):1577-1584. PMID: 21711177 (opens in a new tab)
- Iwata H, Kato T, Ohno S. Triparental origin of Damask roses. Gene, 2000;259(1-2):53-59. PMID: 11163961 (opens in a new tab)
Found In
Type: Body Care
Vetiver Purifying Hair & Body Wash
490mlRegular price £28.00Sale price Regular price
