Today, something truly natural. Your skin is going to love it. I’m sure many of you know and use hydrosols. I’m posting a brief, straightforward guide for those who have never heard of them. It’s going to slightly change your approach to skin care. Say goodbye to toxic, synthetic face toners and give a warm welcome to hydrosols. These stunners have a huge nourishing power.

What are skin care hydrosols?

Hydrosols (yeah, I wrote ‘skin care’ but remember that you can use them for the whole body care, including hair; flower waters are multitasking) are produced as a result of steam distillation of a chosen plant which aims at ‘squeezing out’ precious essential oil. Water, which filters the plant from the root to the tip, is a side effect of the whole action, taking over the most valuable part – all active ingredients. Flavonoids, tannin, phytosterols, carotenoids, vitamins, micro nutrients… a parade of precious substances. Summing up, hydrosols are all-natural, delicate toners. The effect they deliver depends on the plant they are extracted from. Today, I’m focusing on the most important hydrosols and telling you which skin types they make best match with.

Types of hydrosols, benefits, qualities

1. Vanilla Hydrosol (Vanilla Water)

INCI: Vanilla Planifolia Water

Vanilla hydrosol has soothing effect: eliminates skin inflammation, makes skin elastic, spectacularly fresh and mega moisturised. I really like this hydrosol because it stimulates senses, making us calm and relaxed. Did you know that vanilla scent is a strong aphrodisiac?

Suitable for: all skin types, brings best results for irritated, dry, acne skin

Action & effects: pure, perfectly moisturised, elastic skin

2. Lavender Hydrosol

INCI: Lavendula Angistufolia (Lavender) Flower Water

Lavender water is a real remedy for irritation, skin tending to be dry and red; it soothes and moisturises, keeps skin from dehydrating. A regular application of lavender hydrosol restores bounce and elasticity, skin looks fresh and is soft to touch. It ensures brilliant skin repair after a hair removal routine, sunburns, allergic reactions, invasive cosmetics. Lavender hydrosol treats post-acne lesions and has antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Suitable for: all skin types; combination and oily skin will make the most of it

Action & effects: clean, fresh-looking, moisturised skin

3. Neroli Hydrosol (Orange Blossom Water)

INCI: Citrus Sinensis Water

Orange floral water works as a toner and brightens skin. It helps get rid of various pigmentation spots (post-sun, age spots) and wrinkles, adds liveliness to skin. It is a great moisturiser, delivers elasticity, effectively cleanses, fights inflammation thus is cut out for skin bothered by blemishes.

Suitable for: all skin types, including skin with broken blood vessels. You’re gonna love neroli water if your skin is mature, loses elasticity or you’re fighting with acne.

Action & effects: flawless, bouncy, elastic, calm skin

4. Rose Hydrosol (Rose Floral Water)

INCI: Rosa Damascena Water

Damask rose water is a great toner, soothes skin and brings back sufficient moisture. It regenerates fatigued, aging skin that lacks radiance. It gives excellent and in-depth cleansing, deals well with acne lesions, reduces visibility of scars and hyper-pigmentation spots.

It adds elasticity and smoothes epidermis. Damask rose hydrosol is one of the best-selling and universal product working wonders. It is suitable for hair use as well, making strands resilient, regenerating and nourishing. My hair gains stunning shine after applying rose hydrosol. I also like the fact it’s safe for the scalp use.

Suitable for: all skin, hair types

Action & effects: nourished, smooth, clean, illuminated skin; shiny, soft hair; healthy, clean scalp

5. Cistus (Rock Rose) Hydrosol

INCI: Cistus Ladaniferus Water

Cistus hydrosol is a quite strongly-working product: deeply clarifies, tightens skin pores and visibly reduces imperfections. It is cut out for getting rid of post-acne scars, skin irritation and minor wounds (my boyfriend treats his shave cuts with rock rose hydrosol).

Rock rose hydrosol has brightening properties, regenerates and boosts elasticity. It restores natural skin shine – no matter the age, type or condition of your skin. Moreover, it stimulates micro-circulation in skin, making it more supple, bouncy, rested and resilient. Cistus water calms skin down and prevents inflammation – alleviates blemishes.

Suitable for: you won’t be surprised, it works on all skin types. Tbh, it’s a common feature of all hydrosols. Still, this one is dedicated to oily skin affected by sebum build-up

Action & effects: illumination, gentle matte effect, precise cleansing, suppleness, elasticity

The above-mentioned face and body care waters are the top 5 best-selling hydrosols (most common in drugstores offering natural, organic, vegan beauty products). Keep in mind that there are lots of types of hydrosols – take a look at them and adjust them to your skin and its needs.

Have a nice day! 🙂