Rose water: the divine benefits and how to make it at home

Roses are one of those classic flowers that will always be popular and timeless. Used in expensive bouquets, grown in the most prestigious of gardens and utilised in healing elixirs, oils, and functional herbal teas throughout the millenniums. In both superstition and tradition, roses have bold, significant meanings ranging from new beginnings, as the universal symbol of life, to balance and purity depending on their colouring.

Rose, or rose water, is amongst the highest valued skincare ingredient sold on the mainstream market. This makes pure rose-extract a rather costly luxury. However, you can make your very own rose water right at home for just a fraction of the price. Create this conveniently, home-brewed and all natural toner for healthy, happier skin and benefit from these absolutely divine results:

•  Maintaining a healthy Ph balance
•  Fighting acne, dermatitis and eczema
•  Hydrating and revitalising
•  Cools the skin and minimises pores
•  Smooths and tones
•  Rejuvenates and reduces scarring
•  Helps to heal cuts, grazes and skin damage
•  Contains anti-bacterial properties
•  Is high in antioxidants which strengthen skin cells and protect against the effects of ageing
•  Rich in nutrients which nourish skin from the outside-in
•  Anti-inflammatory properties reduce irritations and puffiness
•  Aids the functionality of the bodies natural acid mantle
•  Beneficial for scalp use, especially in cases of dandruff
•  Beneficial for hair, softens and hydrates hair from follicle to ends

This fresh-petal rose water is one of my favourites to make, because unlike other recipes that include dehydrated petals, or rose essential oil, this one keeps it fresh and simple. Follow these 4 quick steps from start to fully ready to use and you’ll never go out of pocket for rose water ever again. This makes for a great present, and you can get really inventive with the presentation and packaging. My creative senses are tingling just thinking about it!

Fresh-petal rose water

What you will need:

• 2-3 organic roses of the same colour and fragrance
• 1 small strainer
• 1 saucepan with lid
• 1 mason jar (enough to fit 475 ml)
• An additional container of choice (spritze bottle, smaller flip-cap bottle, etc.)
• 1 tsp of vodka (optional)
• Some filtered water (either drinking water from a bottle, or properly filtered from the tap)

Rose selection and preparation

For this recipe you will need two or three roses, depending on the size. Pick the freshest most fragrant roses available, ensuring they are all the same type of rose, so as not to mix fragrances or colours. Bare in mind the fresher your roses are, the better the result will be. If able, choose roses that you have grown yourself, or that you know are pesticide-free. Next, pluck the petals off, placing them into a strainer and rinse thoroughly. You will need enough petals to fill 1 cup.

Add the heat

Place the petals into a saucepan and pour the filtered water over them. The petals should be evenly distributed, and ensure that the water level stays low. The water should not come up too far past the petals, as over-drenching will result in less fragrance and potency. If you are using alcohol, add up to one teaspoon of vodka. This step helps keep everything preserved for longer. Cover the saucepan with a lid and heat at a low temperature. Leave to heat for about 20 mins. You will see the petals start to fade, becoming paler, and the water taking on their colour.

Strain

Get your mason jar ready and ensure it is clean and dry. It needs to be big enough to hold about 2 cups of liquid (475 ml). Place strainer over the mason jar and pour your rose water into it. You can transfer the rose water to a smaller container or spritz bottle for easier use afterwards, if desired.

Refrigerate

Let the rose water cool off, and then keep in the refrigerator. Use in about a week, or if you added the vodka, it will last a bit longer than that.