How to make Rose Water

Want to make pure sunshine in a bowl?  Try your hand at a homemade rose water recipe.

........I  MADE  THIS

FROM THIS......

Why rose water, and what is it used for?    Rose water traditionally has been used in beauty treatments for literally thousands of years and for good reason. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians prized it, and it is said that Cleopatra used it to bathe her face.  Why?  It is a natural soother, calming is mild antiseptic that nourishes and hydrates the skin and face.   Rich in such vitamins as A,D,C,E and B3 it is an essential ingredient used for all skin types.  It helps reduce redness, inflammation, irritation and restore the skins natural ph balance gently. How?
Naturally it has the ability to stimulate the flow in the small, actually,  minute blood vessels that lie under the skin.  Scars, sunburn, and the natural aging of the skin all benefit from this process. It's soothing properties and  gentle fragrance make it a plus for the home remedy gal.     More.........


Uses:  Can be used as a toner, cleanser, and spritzer on its own, or combined with other ingredients to make a great mask or bath.

My rosewater spritzer. I love it.

My favorite use is simple, I put it in a small spray bottle and spritz it on my face to feel refreshed knowing it is acting as a hydrant and antibacterial keeping my face clean and clear.    I also use it on a cotton ball as a toner / cleanser before bed.  I spritz it on my teenagers faces as well, and they tell me it is helping their skin.

How to make Rosewater:  easy to make at home with fresh rose petals and water.  There are several methods,  I've tried the distilling method and the steeping method and prefer steeping. Its just flat easier, and I saw no difference in the rose waters, except perhaps some minute pieces of rose that I just strained out.  The outer, sometimes rougher, tougher looking petals of your roses should NOT be discarded as they contain the highest levels of beneficiary components.

Steeping Method:

Recipe:  One cup, packed, rose petals      2 cups boiling water    Steep 30 minutes    lasts 10 days in frig
Simply put petals and water in pot, boil, steep, strain.. Refrigerate.  Water takes on the color of your roses used.   Beautiful.

Distilling rose petals

Distilling Method:
You will need more rose petals for this method.

Using a large stainless steel kettle, place a brick on the bottom.  Surround the brick with your freshly picked rose petals. Fill with water to the top of the brick, not covering brick.   Place a bowl on top of the brick.   Invert lid to kettle and place on kettle.  Turn on your stoves burner and allow water to boil. As it boils and steam rises it hits your inverted lid and drips down into your bowl. That is why you must invert your lid, otherwise it drips right back into the boiling water/petals.   You can boil your water/petals until about half  or more of the water is gone.  The water you collected in the bowl is your fresh homemade rosewater.  Gorgeous.  Smells like a summer day.

Other Recipes:  Lemon Juice and Rose Water Face Mask: A good facial mask  for oily and acne-prone skin. Lemon juice is rich with Vitamin C to keep your skin looking fresh, toned and young. It also contains alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). See my post on AHA's. 

•  1-2  tablespoon of juice into a small bowl. 
• Add 1-2 tablespoon of rose water into  bowl. Mix them well. Apply to your face evenly and let it stay for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then apply a face toner of rosewater.  
• variations:  add warmed honey or yogurt

Moisturizer:
I have not tried this recipe myself, so if you have please leave a comment about it below, thanks.

• 50/50 mixure of rosewater and glycerin.  Glycerin can be found in your local pharmacy and is inexpensive, it is a natural moisturizer, colorless, odorless, humectant. Dissolves in water, alcohol. Great natural ingredient for your skin.

 Homemade Soap and Lotions:  Rosewater is commonly used in soaps and lotions, as a gentle, natural ingredient with great skin enhancing benefits.  Simply replace the water used in your favorite homemade soap or lotion recipe with rosewater.  Soapers I've talked to replace 4oz regular water in their recipe for rosewater.  I am making it with all rosewater today and will post my results.

Bathe:  Add rose water and any extra petals to your warm bath  for a skin and spirit calming bath.  If you have any dried milk add it, and have a rose-milk bath.

Enjoy!

  

 

Anna's Quick Tips

   "Anna's Quick Tips" is a feature that will appear regularly on this natural beauty blog.   You will enjoy these tips and will save money going it natural!   .

   Fresh Lemon Rub:
Cut a lemon and gently rub on elbows, knees and heals to soften away those rascal rough spots!
Squeeze some of that lemon into any fresh face mask, helps remove dead skin cells, unblock pores and naturally brightens your skin. Beautiful glow.

   Yogurt and Honey: 
A soother to that sensitive skin owner. Helps with redness.  Just mix a little of each, consistency is your call.  Smooth on face with finger tips, or foundation brush.    Awww..........so soothing.

   Rose Water Toner:
Mix one cup packed fresh rose petals, pour 1 cup hot water over, allow to steep until cool.     Strain off
water, discard petals.  Store in frig.   Apply with cotton square, or just splash it on with abandon!  Lovely.