Rose water isn’t just about its lovely scent; it’s incredibly useful in many ways. You can use it as a facial toner, hair perfume, cooling mist, or even to refresh your linens. Plus, rose petals are edible, so rose water often finds its way into cooking too.
Whenever I’m making things like soap, hair rinse, or hair detangling spray, I often swap out some or all the water for rose water. And if you’re worrying about your soap turning pink, don’t—it won’t change the color much at all!
If you’re into DIY beauty or enjoy experimenting with exotic recipes and have some home-grown roses on hand, you should definitely try making your own rose water. There are two simple methods to create it at home:
The quickest way is to simmer rose petals—either dried or fresh—in water. This gives you pleasantly scented, rose-colored water. However, this version has a short shelf life, so it’s best for things you’ll use up quickly.
The other method, distillation, technically results in a hydrosol. This clear, shelf-stable rose water takes a little more time but is still straightforward to make.
There are hundreds of types of roses, and if you have some growing in your garden, they’re perfect for making rose water. To get the best fragrance, pick your roses early in the morning. If buying roses, ensure they’re organic and pesticide-free to avoid chemicals in your water.
Dried rose petals are another choice, particularly from the Damask Rose, known for its scent and edibility. You could even experiment with lavender flowers, following the same method for dried petals, and substitute lavender water for rose water.
There are so many ways to use rose water. Here are a few favorites:
A lot of folks miss the fragrance from commercial beauty products once they switch to healthier options. Those synthetic scents often drive sales but can be harmful. Rose water is a fantastic natural alternative to add fragrance. Natural shampoos, while cleaning well without disrupting your scalp’s oil balance, usually lack a lingering scent. Crafting a simple hair perfume can remedy this, giving your hair a gentle floral aroma. A light dab of rose water on your wrists and neck can serve as a subtle perfume too.
To make a hair perfume, combine 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract with essential oils in a 4-ounce glass spray bottle, then fill up with rose water. Spray it on your hair as it dries and style as usual—it even works to freshen up second or third-day hair. For best results, keep it chilled in the fridge.
For freshening linens, fill a spray bottle with rose water and add a couple of drops of rose or lavender essential oil if you like. Spritz your sheets before bedtime.
In skin care, rose water helps balance pH, reduces redness and irritation, tightens pores, and soothes overheated skin. It’s also great for lifting your mood. You can spritz some on yourself and inhale the floral scent for an uplifting effect. For a relaxing bath, add one or two cups of rose water to your bath.
Have you ever tried making rose water? What’s your favorite way to use it?
