The smell of roses is wonderful, and this flower has been used medicinally, nutritionally, and as a source of perfume since ancient times. Making a rose water toner is easy, all you have to do is steep the petals of this flower in water. However, this kind of toner is usually the byproduct of the commercial distillation of this mixture to obtain the essential oil. Its most common applications are in the kitchen and as a cosmetic. The fresh aroma will definitely brighten your day, regardless of its use.
As you may already know, your skin goes through various changes as you age. It becomes thinner and no longer as smooth and plump as it was in the younger days. Also, the bones and veins become more visible, and healing takes longer. Sun exposure accelerates the aging process, so you might be prone to more pronounced wrinkles, age spots, or even skin cancer if you’ve spent a lot of time in it.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make your skin feel and look better even after the damage. A rose water toner adds a protective layer to your skin that traps moisture and since proper hydration is one of the best measures against wrinkles, you could greatly benefit from it.
Can Rose Water Toner Help You Reverse Aging?
As we’ve mentioned above, rose water is the byproduct of the distillation of the Rosa x damascena flower, also known as Damask rose, and created by distilling rose petals with steam. While it’s become more popular in recent years, rose water has actually been used for centuries and some believe it originated in what is now Iran.
This substance is quite fragrant and thus, a great natural alternative to other harsh chemical-filled fragrances so it’s often used as a scent in food, beverages, and even as perfume. Ok but, can a rose water toner help you reverse aging? Let’s look at some of its properties.
Rose Water Benefits
It’s an Anti-Inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory property of rose water is one of its most impactful benefits and you can treat various ailments both internally and externally. In fact, it’s often used as an ointment to soothe skin irritation and for treating certain skin conditions like rosacea, which makes the blood vessels of your face more visible. It’s also a great treatment for eczema and psoriasis, mild acne, and dry skin. This toner is safe for sensitive skin and you can also use it to soothe sunburns.
Furthermore, this kind of toner is high in vitamin A and vitamin C. Some consider them the anti-aging vitamins because they don’t only help prevent oxidative damage but also help the skin rebuild collagen.
Other benefits include fading skin spots and even minimizing the appearance of fine lines and stretch marks. Mix rose water into your regular moisturizer until your skin gets used to it to minimize the potential skin peeling brought on by an increase in cell turnover.
Rose Water Toners We Love
- Rosewater Facial Mist Toner with Charcoal & Aloe Vera
- Rose Water Facial Toner
- Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist
by Advanced Clinicals
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Leven Rose
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Heritage Store
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Rose Water Toner Is an Anti-Oxidant
Free radicals lead to skin inflammation, resulting in blocked pores and pimples. In turn, the oil in rose petals contains powerful antioxidants with potential lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects and provides powerful cell protection. Thus, rose water can limit free radical oxidation.
A 2011 study found that a rose petal extract helped protect fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage. Another one found it suppresses the Mitoken-Activated Protein Kinase signaling that happens when cells activate in response to stressors. It also contributes to the process of healing wounds and has been used as a diuretic in Persian medicine to treat various conditions like fever, breast pain, and other menstruation symptoms.
In addition, many anti-wrinkling beauty products often contain rose water due to its anti-oxidant properties. As we mentioned above, it can soothe irritated skin so it also reduces the appearance of wrinkles when applied topically.
It Has Antibiotic and Antiseptic Properties
Rose water has been used to soothe sore throats for thousands of years. There’s no scientific proof for this but lots of grandmas swear by it and trying it out poses no risk – other than people trying to kiss you due to your lovely rose breath.
Studies revealed that rose water has powerful antiseptic properties and thus, is useful to prevent and treat infections and heal wounds faster. Thus, it’s often included in all kinds of natural and medicinal treatments. Some of these studies showed that the antiseptic and analgesic properties of rose water help treat ocular diseases in eye drops such as pink eye. As you can see, it’s a great substance to treat cuts, burns, and scars.
It’s Also an Astringent
The most common use of an astringent is as a skin cleanser to dry out oil, and tighten pores. A rose water toner is rich in tannins so it can have a tightening effect on your skin. Many astringents are alcohol-based and so they not only dry out your skin but can also irritate and cause breakouts in people with sensitive skin. Thus, rose water is a better alternative, especially during winter.
Many people blame the cold weather for dry skin, but air conditioners and heaters are also culprits. This is because these devices lower the moisture in the air, and cause your skin cells to dry out and flake. Rose water is highly effective in hydrating the outermost layer of the skin.
This Toner Enhances Your Mood and Provides Headache Relief
Rose water can also put you in a good mood! This is due to its strong antidepressant and antianxiety properties. In fact, some studies revealed that rose water can relax the central nervous system in mice. So, just spritz some on yourself to reduce anxiety.
As if that wasn’t enough, rose water smells heavenly and the scent is quite relaxing. Other studies found that smelling this scent reduces anxiety in patients undergoing medical procedures. This is probably due to the olfactory sensation sending calming signals to the brain. As you can imagine, many doctors are starting to spray surgical gowns with rose water.
So, wash your face with it if you’re on edge, can’t seem to relax, or are just in a bad mood. Furthermore, just spray everything around you with it and take deep breaths. A skincare routine is a calming ritual for most, so adding this ingredient to it will greatly enhance it.
Did you know that women in the Victorian era used rose water in their cosmetics, from soaps to creams? They would also spray their mirrors with it to promote self-love. Indeed, the reason why roses are associated with romance is they’re a natural aphrodisiac used by men and women throughout history.
Actually, it was women who first started giving roses to men. In fact, studies show that rose water increases the libido in men with depression and also increases sperm count. So, some champagne with a splash of rose water on your next date night will really set the mood!
Not only that, the scent of roses is commonly used in aromatherapy to help relieve headaches due to the de-stressing effects discussed above. Just put some rose oil in a diffuser or apply a compress soaked in rose water for 45 minutes.
Finally, people have been using rose water in food and drinks for a long time as they believe it can relieve an upset stomach, improve bile secretion, and help with digestion overall.
Homemade Rose Water
This kind of toner is quite easy to find at any Middle Eastern store or in the international aisle at your local supermarket. You could also make this skin care product at home, just place about ¼ to ½ cup of dried or fresh rose petals in a saucepan and pour one and a half cups of water into it. Then, cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil and lower the flame to allow it to simmer and soak up the color and essence of the rose petals.
You can use rose water spray as a cleanser to remove face oil or as a toner, just rinse your face with it after washing with your normal cleanser. You could also use your spray bottle as perfume. It won’t only make you smell pretty but relieve stress. Be sure to spray some onto your pillows for a good night’s sleep!
Rose water is usually safe to eat, drink, or put on your skin but someone somewhere could be allergic to it. This is rare, though. In any case, always do a patch test by placing a little bit on your skin before you use it and wait to see if there’s a reaction.
Rose Water Toners We Love
- Rosewater Facial Mist Toner with Charcoal & Aloe Vera
- Rose Water Facial Toner
- Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist
by Advanced Clinicals
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Leven Rose
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
by Heritage Store
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
How to Use Rose Water Toner
You can remove excess oils and attain healthy skin by simply dabbing a cotton ball or pad moistened with rose water on your face as part of your regular skin care routine. It’ll remove the extra oil and any dirt that may have remained on your face after cleansing. Regular use will prevent acne caused by clogged pores. Furthermore, rose water won’t dry your face like alcohol-based toners.
In addition, you can moisturize your face by filling a small spray bottle with rose water and use it as a spritz. It won’t just hydrate your skin but restore your natural pH balance. You might want to keep the bottle in your fridge to make it even more refreshing.
Rose water improves the skin barrier function and reduces transdermal water loss. It’s such a simple ingredient so it’ll be much gentler on your skin and nervous system than other essential oils. As we mentioned above, dry skin and an unbalanced pH can worsen certain conditions such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne, and make your wrinkles more pronounced. Thus, the naturally low pH of this toner can help balance your skin and reduce irritation.
Another use for a rose water toner is to soothe tired eyes and reduce swelling. So, soak two cotton pads in chilled rose water and gently place them on your eyelids if you’re feeling tired or have puffy eyes. Leave them on for 5 minutes and be amazed by the results.
What Roses Are Made Of
Beauty products are multifunctional and rose water proves it. In turn, roses make gardens beautiful, dining room tables lavish, and rooms fresh but the real beauty of these flowers goes beyond these traits. They can also help you with fatigue, anxiety, dry skin, and congestion. As we mentioned above, just a little bit of rose water will go a long way to improve your day.
According to some fossils found by archeologists, roses are about 30 million years old, and rose water is at least fourteen centuries old. It’s no secret that roses have a scent humans love. In fact, they were in such high demand in Europe at some point that rose water was legal tender.
The recipe, traditionally made with the Bulgarian or Damask roses, came out of Persian medical and spiritual practices. The Damask rose is still valuable and mainly cultivated in Bulgaria, in the Valley of the Roses. However, most of the rose water today is made out of any species of rose, including the wild and cabbage rose varieties.
Furthermore, the credit for the invention of the first refined rose water goes to Avicenna, a 10th-century Persian scientist. It was he who made it a profitable trading tool and it soon spread to Egypt and Rome. One of the first applications the Romans gave it was to scent their wines but they also used it as perfume.
Eventually, rose water also made its way into India and the emperors there made it a point to spray it on royal guests as they arrived. They soon found out about the antibacterial properties of this substance and began to use it like the hand sanitizers we use today.
Speaking of emperors, there are accounts of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt bathing in a mixture of milk, honey, and rose water. It apparently made her skin soft and supple. The stories of how much she loved rose water perhaps inspired Shakespeare to write that “the very winds were lovesick” in reference to her heavily rose scented ships in Antony and Cleopatra.
Rose water is still a luxury product and a natural alternative to petroleum-based beauty products. This substance has natural hydrating, anti-aging, and nourishing properties and you can use it topically or ingest it to nourish your body inside and out.
Life Is No Rose Garden
Growing old is an inevitable part of life. You’re born and then you grow up to become a fertile adult and then your body ages until you expire around the age of 80, on average. The symptoms of aging are inevitable and include thin gray hair, loss of fertility, weakened bones, decreased brain function, and losing the ability to hear and see properly.
Nobody is spared from physical aging but single-celled organisms don’t age as humans do. In fact, they’ll live for a while and then split into two cells. They never lose the ability to continue, as opposed to human cells, which can only divide about 50 times.
Thus, many people have proposed mechanisms of aging since the 50s. We all want to make sense of the human aging process because it leads to death. It’s led scientists to divide aging into two categories: programmed and damage-related. The programmed factors are the result of cells not dividing properly over time while the damage-related ones are attacks from the environment.
You’re constantly under attack from your environment, and your body accumulates damage over time. It affects the DNA, proteins, and fats in your body which break down and weaken various components that you need to survive.
In addition, the free radicals we mentioned above are a toxic byproduct of cellular metabolism and play a role in damaging your cells. They’re highly reactive molecules with a missing electron so they’ll try to remove them from your healthy cell, causing damage in the process.
There are many methods to try and counteract the damage done by the free radicals. For instance, you could try to reduce the calories you consume during your lifetime and it would reduce cell metabolism along with the number of free radicals you would’ve created. The idea that consuming foods with antioxidants can help eliminate these free radicals in the body is a multimillion industry but there’s no scientific evidence to back up this claim.
As you can see, the regular use of a rose water toner can help you fight aging but only to a certain degree. It won’t reverse time. The best you can shoot for is to age gracefully and you must begin early on as everything you do throughout your life will impact you when you’re older.
