About hydrolats

Posted by Dasha makeup on June 1, 2012 · 3 Comments 

and Suti ROSE WATER Facial Toner review

One of my favorite cosmetic products are with no doubt hydrolats, mostly when outside temperature is rising and my skin loves everything that feels fresh. Well, I like hydrolats all year-long and use them for other purposes as well. Hydrolats are also known as hydrosols, floral waters, hydroflorates and flower distillates.
I was fascinated since ever with the process of distillation, especially the one related to perfumes. Once, I was collecting perfumes, but then when I switched to green, I started to keep distance from standard perfumes, because of so many hidden artificial ingredients and my health. Of course, my love for the fragrances has not died, it just changed and found a new way. Let’s come back to hydrolats, which are btw. not comparable to eaux de toilettes, but they both have something in common – the process of distillation. To keep the explanation clear and easy, here is a great excerpt on floral waters from Mountain herbs that I want to share with you to understand better what hydrolats are :

“Hydrosols, are products from steam distilling plant materials. Hydrosols are like essential oils but in far less of a concentration. When a distiller brews plant material with water in a large cooker the steam fills the pot and, as it rises, it causes the glands of the plants to burst and release the oils and essence of the plant into the steam. The oil rises through a condenser and collects in a separate vessel. This is what we know as essential oil, but what about all that fragrant water that was steamed with the original plant material? That is our hydrosol, or floral water.
Hydrosols are usually the result of essential oil production as a by-product. The highest quality hydrosols come from the devoted distillers who, with artist like precision steam the floral and plant material strictly to produce a hydrosol. Hydrosols contain all of the essence of the plant in every drop, just like essential oils but in a milder form; making them suitable for all manner of applications where essential oils would be too strong.”
Noted author Jeanne Rose is quoted as saying.
“The best comes from a distillation where it is the hydrosol that is being produced rather than the essential oil. Often the best comes from the earliest part of the distillation rather than the body of the distillation. This usually smells bright and pleasantly fragrant. Although, some of the therapeutic part of the hydrosol is also produced at the very end of the distillation, and usually has a rather grassy or vegetative note. As the plants are being distilled, micro-particles of essential oil are in suspension, they give the aromatic distillate its scent and will separate out as the hydrosol cools.”

Green make-up uses of hydrolats:
– as an overall body and face refresher (Suti’s waters are amazing for this!)
– herbal hydrolats (like rosemary’s) as water for refreshing and revitalizing hair or even tired feet
– for setting the mineral make-up
– calming hydrolats (like chamomile or rose) for refreshing the face during the day, instead of using standard mineral waters
– as an air freshener for the house and bed blankets (lavender hydrolat is great for sleeping)
– using it as a mild fragrance.
– mix it with clay or your favorite mask
– I like to spritz even my clothes with some scents

There are many different hydrolats on the market, from herbs or flowers, even spices. Use the hydrolats depending on your skin type and need. You would use a tea tree hydrolat for acne skin for instance, a lavender one for relaxation, geranium for mixed skin or hormonal imbalances (or even PMS) and so on. And choose those made from organic cultivation. Pay attention not to use hydrolats made from cheap synthetic essential oils! There won’t be any benefit.
Note also that not every hydrolat is good for the face, cause it may be too harsh. I love Suti’s Rose floral water for my skin and for uplifting the mood.

Suti Rose water Facial Toner review

When Suti sent me this product, I didn’t know it’d become my favorite facial toner. I have some kind of addiction for toners, maybe because they give your skin a refreshing feeling of cleanliness. I was mostly enchanted again by Suti’s philosophy that connect together the knowledge of the body-spirit union. In complementary medicine and other esoteric and alternative sciences it is well-known that the rose has a high vibrational frequency and so many beneficial properties that are especially good for our heart center (or the 4. chakra). This is because the rose scent and benefits cure the emotional and physical wounds with calming us, harmonizing the energies, stress, insomnia and filling us with the sense of compassion. I especially embrace this quotation from Suti and their toner and love the fact they include those old but precious knowledges in their products:

“Suti’s Rose Water Facial Toner uniquely harnesses ‘Rose Moon Essence’ – our own organic floral essence from a rich red ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ rose that has been cultivated and prepared under a full moon. The principles of our Moon Essences take into account the powerful influences of lunar gravity on botanicals. In much the same way that common flower based ‘rescue remedies’ are prepared under the sun to harness these natural earthly energies within the elixir, Suti’s Rose Water Facial Toner with Rose Moon Essence harnesses the more feminine energies of the moon to create a toner that heals and protects the body and mind. Our perception of the Rose Moon Essence is that it is perfect for the heart as it encourages joy and happiness, relieves sadness and grief and opens the heart to receive love.”

In general, rose hydrolat is the queen of hydrolats, cause it acts as an antiseptic, it calms, hydrate and regenerate dull and sensitive skin. It stimulates the blood circulation and calms redness (great for using it after shaving, depilation, sun exposure,…) among many benefits. Suti’s rose water is packed in a beautiful 100 ml glass bottle with spray. For those who prefer fresher scents or have oily skin, Suti has also the Peppermint water.

Hope you have enjoyed this floral and fragrant voyage with me and that you will start to discover even natural fragrances 🙂

(left photo credit: Dreamstime.com)

Filed under beauty · Tagged with floral water, hydrolats, review, rose, suti