Organic Rose Water Benefits
For centuries, roses have been a symbol of beauty, luxury and elegance. Royals and those in higher positions in society would incorporate rose into their beauty and bathing regimens because of its intoxicating aroma and skin-nourishing benefits.
Fortunately for us, you don’t have to be royal or rich to enjoy the benefits of organic rose water.
What is Rose Water?
Traditionally, organic rose water is extracted from Damask Rose, although wild rose and cabbage rose may also be used to produce rose water.
Damask roses can be grown and cultivated all over the world, but Turkey and Bulgaria are the main producers of this flower. Other major producers included Morocco, Egypt, Russia and France. Most cosmetic manufacturers prefer Bulgarian roses for their products because of their superior quality.
Why the Damask rose, and why Bulgaria?
There are thousands of varieties of roses, but only a few are known to be oil-producing. The Damask rose is one of those varieties, and it’s been grown in the Bulgarian Rose Valley for more than 300 years.
The Rose Valley’s unique soil and climatic conditions make it the perfect spot to grow the Damask rose. The area has mild winters, clean mountain air and the ideal weather conditions in May and June to produce beautiful Damark roses with rich oil content.
How is Rose Water Made?
The process starts with the hand cultivation of organic roses. Ideally, the roses should he harvested in the morning, and the water should be produced shortly after picking the flowers.
Once harvested, the essence and oils of the petals are extracted through either simmering or distillation.
Simmering is the simplest and preferred method for DIY projects. Fresh or dried rose petals can be used.
Distillation is the preferred and most widely-used method for commercial rose water. Fresh rose petals are placed in a distiller, and steam gently works to extract the essence and oils.
What Does Organic Rose Water Do to Skin?
Rose water affects the skin in many ways. It works as a natural toner to:
- Tighten pores
- Balance the skin’s pH
- Cool and soothe the skin
- Reduce irritation
Rose is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it has these beneficial effects on the skin.
Rose Water Benefits
There’s a reason why luxury skincare lines often incorporate rose water into their products: it’s extremely beneficial for the skin.
When used regularly, rose water can:
Tone
Rosewater toner can help remove any leftover dirt or oil from cleansing. Most of us skip the toning step in our skincare routine, but it’s actually one of the most important parts.
You see, toner helps get rid of the last bit of gunk in your pores, which makes it easier for your skin to absorb any other products you apply.
When used regularly, rose water will help your skin absorb more of the nourishing ingredients in your skincare products and keep your pores free of dirt and oil.
Hydrate
Some toners can dry out the skin, but natural and mild options – like rose water – can actually be hydrating.
High-quality, organic rose water provides mild hydration which complements the moisturizer in your routine.
Prevent Acne
Rose water acts as a toner, removing excess oils and dirt from your pores. When your pores are free and clear, acne-causing bacteria cannot grow and thrive. Plus, the pH-balancing properties of the toner also help keep bacteria at bay.
When used regularly, rose water can keep breakouts under control.
Balance pH
The skin’s pH falls between 4.5 and 6.2, so it’s slightly acidic. Daily use of facial cleansers, soaps and other products can disrupt the natural pH balance of your skin. When this delicate balance is disrupted, it can lead to breakouts, blackheads and other skin issues.
Rose water has a pH of 5.5, so it can help keep your skin in balance.
Slow the Aging Process
Your skin takes a lot of abuse, and that abuse is what speeds up the aging process. The sun’s UV rays, stress, pollution, unhealthy foods, and the harsh chemicals in your cosmetics all cause damage to your skin.
Rose water is rich in antioxidants that can help fight the free radicals that accelerate the aging process. The end result is clean, radiant, younger-looking skin.
Reduce Irritation and Inflammation
The cooling and anti-inflammatory properties of rose water help reduce puffiness and irritation, especially when used under the eyes.
These beneficial properties can also help alleviate some skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Refresh and Soothe
Thanks to its cooling properties, rose water can help soothe a sunburn while accelerating the healing process.
Carrying around a spray bottle of this water also allows you to refresh and hydrate your skin anytime when you’re on the go.
What is the Best Rose Water?
If you search online, you’ll find hundreds of brands selling rose water. Which one do you choose? Earlier, we talked about how beauty experts believe that Bulgarian roses produce the best quality rose water.
When searching for the best rose water, you want to consider:
- Where the roses are grown and harvested
- The growing methods
- How the roses are harvested
- The method used to produce the rose water (simmer or distillation)
- Other ingredients in the product
Alteya Organics offers USDA Organic Bulgarian Rose Water derived from the same Damask roses coveted by luxury beauty brands. This therapeutic, food-grade product is derived from roses that are 100% organically grown and harvested from a family farm in the Bulgarian Rose Valley.
Alteya uses a unique distillation technique to produce their rose water. And all of their roses are hand-picked for the highest quality rose water.
While it’s designed for use on the skin, this rose water is so pure that you can eat it. In fact, Alteya says that you can add their rose water to your favorite desserts, cocktails and meals.
Where to Buy Rose Water
If you want the best price and most convenient shipping options, Amazon is the go-to choice for purchasing Alteya’s organic rose water. There’s even a “subscribe and save” option that will give you 15% off the price if you sign up for automatic deliveries.