Learn all of the benefits of Rose Water, including a step-by-step tutorial on how to make rose water! Not only will you learn how to make homemade rosewater, but you’ll get a DIY Rosewater Face Toner recipe too!
By now most of you know I love a little DIY. From homemade kombucha to bath salts, if I have an ounce of free time I’m probably doing a DIY.
It just feels good to make things from scratch (probably why I have a blog!) and this rosewater is no exception.
Not only am I going to walk you through how to make rose water, I’m also sharing the benefits of rose water and its many uses, including a recipe for homemade rose water toner.
Be sure to check out my step-by-step video…
CHECK OUT MY VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE ROSE WATER
I’m walking you through how to make your own rose water step-by-step.
What is Rose Water + Rosewater Benefits
Rosewater is exactly as it sounds, roses + water. It gives you all the benefits of water plus the bonus of the anti-inflammatory and hydrating advantages of rose. Plus it smells awesome.
Rosewater is used in some cuisines for flavor, but I find myself using it most frequently in my skincare routine. People live and die by this stuff, but I’m not desperate enough to spend $10 on a small bottle. Especially since it’s so easy to make at home.
Fortunately, I’m thrifty and was able to make over 3 bottles for the same price. Love me a good deal, and especially when the DIY version is stupidly easy.
What are the benefits of rose water?
- helps balance the pH of skin
- soothes skin irritation
- reduces redness (has anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial properties!) including rosacea, acne and eczema
- may reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- some evidence the smell can reduce anxiety
[source]
Ingredients in Rose Water
This rosewater recipe is super simple and requires just two ingredients:
- Rose petals – use organic fresh roses if you can find and be sure to rinse them well as if there’s any pesticides, dirt or grime (or mold) it will end up in your rose water.
- Distilled water – make sure you use distilled water or else you’ll need to use the distillation method where you flip your pot lid upside down using just regular tap water.
How to Use Rose Water:
Now for some of the ways I like to use this homemade rose water in my skincare routine:
1. Skin Toner – by and far this is the #1 way I like to use it. Apple cider vinegar can also be a great skin toner, but let’s be real rosewater smells so much better and is just as effective. See recipe below to use as a facial spritz.
2. In the bath – I’ll add about a cup to my bath water for extra hydration and relaxation from the scent.
3. Natural Perfume– we’ll get into the discussion of conventional perfume another day, but let’s just say you are far better off sticking to this natural fragrance.
4. Face refresher/Make-up setter – Spray this on your face when you’re at your 3:00 PM slump or just a low mood…it works.
These are just a few of the many ways you can use rosewater. Now that I’ve hacked a super easy and cheap version for you, I challenge you to go out and experiment! But if you air on the side of caution, try my DIY Rose Water Face Toner. I promise you will be in love (roses included).
How to Store Rosewater:
This rose water recipe makes a big batch so I like to store my rose water in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Rosewater last?
If you store rose water in a clean and sterilized jar it should last in the fridge for up to 6 months.
More Homemade Skincare Products
PrintHow To Make Rose Water
Learn all of the benefits of Rose Water, including a step-by-step tutorial on how to make rose water! Not only will you learn how to make homemade rosewater, but you’ll get a DIY Rosewater Face Toner recipe too!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1.5 litres 1x
- Category: Skincare
- Method: Boil
Ingredients
For the Homemade Rose water:
- Organic Roses (as many as you like-I use 7 stems)
- Distilled water (enough to cover the rose petals- I use about 1.5 litres)
For the Homemade Rosewater Face Toner:
- 1 tbsp pure rosewater (recipe above)
- about 4 tbsp of distilled water (or enough to fill your spray bottle)
- 1 2.5 ounce spray bottle
Instructions
For the Homemade Rose Water:
- Remove petals from stems and run them under lukewarm water to remove any leftover residue.
- Add petals to a large pot and top with enough distilled water to just cover (no more or you’ll dilute your rosewater).
- over medium-low heat bring the water to a simmer and cover.
- Let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until petals have lost their color and are a pale pink.
- Strain the mixture into a large bowl to separate the petals from the water.
- Discard petals and pour water in a clean glass jar to store.
For the Homemade Rose Water Face Toner:
- Combine all ingredients in spray bottle and shake.
- To apply: spray mist directly on face or spray a cotton pad and wipe face to remove any residue.
*Note: Using 7 stems makes around 1.5 litres of rose water. This seems like a lot but it keeps for a long time in the fridge. Just store in a sealed, glass container until ready to use.
Keywords: rosewater, rose water, homemade rosewater, diy rosewater, rose water, how to make rose water
165 Comments
Allyson
June 16, 2016 at 10:16 amOkay, so I know this post is not recent, but I thought I’d leave this comment for you anyway. I know a man who makes jams and such from locally sourced ingredients to sell at the farmers market, and he makes an amazing jelly with pomegranate and rosewater. It was the first of his I tried, and though I have at least five different spreads of his in my refrigerator pretty much always, it is still my favorite. It’s delicious! And your video is great :> thanks for the excellent instruction.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 17, 2016 at 1:35 pmThat sounds incredible! Let me know if you make your own jelly!
Ronique
March 29, 2016 at 12:23 am*preservative
Ronique
March 29, 2016 at 12:22 amHi, I loved this post, just wandering if I need to add a preservatie, because water is involved? :/
Davida Kugelmass
March 30, 2016 at 8:49 amNope! Mine usually lists up to 6 months!
Ileana
August 30, 2017 at 6:20 amcan i just reconfirm.., Rosewater lasts up to 6 months when sealed in a glass container stored in the fridge., but when stored in a spray bottle, though placed in the fridge, it only lasts up to 6-7days?
I have been making rosewater stored only in spray bottle, but i dont really use it beyond 7days., as read in a different article.
Nidhi
March 14, 2016 at 2:38 pmHi,I just read your article about preparing rose water toner,here are few queries
1.Does rosewater toner opens the pores of the skin
2.Does rosewater toner makes skin dry
3.Does rosewater toner leads to a burning sensation on skin.
How is aloevera as a toner when compared with rosewater,also tell me that after applying natural aloevera gel over face does it opens pores?
Farah
February 25, 2016 at 7:59 amAny idea where i can buy organic roses? have been looking around for a while. I don’t know if this is more difficult to find in the UK x
Annika
February 23, 2016 at 4:23 pmI would LOVE to try this but I really don’t want to make it with non-organic roses. I have tries searching for organic ones in different health stores but not found any. Where would you suggest I try looking?
Claire
July 7, 2016 at 9:14 pmMountain rose herbs (website) has high quality stuff, including dried roses/petals.
panimalar
February 22, 2016 at 6:42 amHi,
I made the rose water and spray it on my face. But I feel it is a big sticky to my face and my face turn like pink color. Is this normal ?
Davida Kugelmass
February 22, 2016 at 7:53 amNo definitely not normal. What kind of roses did you use? It’s possible if you didn’t use organic roses that some of the pesticides they’re sprayed with are causing it…
panimalar
February 22, 2016 at 8:00 pmok tq for your reply. Will try to redo again with organic roses.
Stacey G. Sullivan
June 14, 2018 at 4:11 pmHi there. Is it only good to use red roses or can the roses be any color?
Andrea
May 16, 2021 at 12:20 amThe rosewater turns out the best with red roses, but you could use pink ones too.
Shanthini
January 27, 2016 at 11:26 pmHi there ! My rose bushes are in full bloom at the moment and this is just what I was looking for ! Can’t wait to try :))
Davida Kugelmass
January 28, 2016 at 9:53 amWonderful! So envious of your rose bushes 🙂 Enjoy!
Shiela
January 22, 2016 at 12:01 pmHi. I am wondering how long it will last the DIY rose water. What do I need to put to let it stay fresh? Is it safe to combined to other product to be applied in the face and body like natural clay mask?
Thank you.
The Healthy Maven
January 22, 2016 at 2:39 pmI keep mine in the fridge for up to 6 months. And absolutely! Feel free to combine with other products 🙂 Enjoy!
Stacey G. Sullivan
June 14, 2018 at 4:10 pmHi there. In the directions it reads in fine print that it can be stored up to 6 months in a sealed glass container. Does the container or jar have to be sealed or will it be okay if the lid fits or screws on like a mason jar?
Kaitlyn:)
May 25, 2020 at 4:40 pmI love this idea. Just tried it and the water turned green almost within 5 minutes of it being on the hob! I had realised I forgot to wash the petals, so I have just tried again, however I put them on for a quicker time and now the water is brown almost like tea!! Is this still usable & safe to use on my face?
Davida Lederle
May 25, 2020 at 6:46 pmAre you using organic roses? Typically you will get the green or brown color if they’re regular storebought roses!
Chris Lumber
July 8, 2020 at 4:02 pmThe same thing just happened to me, and smelled horrendous. I have heirloom roses, Rugosa Rose. They were all freshly trimmed, washed and smelled lovely. It had only simmered about 13 min.
Wren
July 30, 2020 at 2:24 pmThat was VERY helpful. I am so glad I didn’t ruin a batch of my rugosa petals with the distilled water. Many thanks.
★★★★★
Amanda
January 20, 2016 at 10:58 amI can’t wait to make this! Can you tell me though….does the rosewater need to be diluted to make a suitable toner, or can it be used full-strength? I wasn’t planning on diluting because my skin needs serious help, but I don’t want to do more harm than good if it’s too strong! Thanks!
The Healthy Maven
January 20, 2016 at 2:37 pmYou totally don’t need to dilute. I just recommend it if you have super sensitive skin like I do. Otherwise you can just use straight rosewater 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits
August 13, 2015 at 12:57 amI’m juuust starting to get into DIY beauty, and I’m sooo glad you posted this, Davida! The facial toners that I usually use are way too harsh on my skin, so I’ve been looking for some good toner formulas to make on my own. Also, LOVED the video!
Davida Kugelmass
August 13, 2015 at 8:15 amThank you, lovely! The rosewater toner is super gentle on skin. Honestly, my skin has transformed since I started using it! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Les @ The Balanced Berry
August 11, 2015 at 8:32 amLoveeee this! Rosewater is my favorite toner, but I’ve never made it myself. Definitely doing this once my current bottle runs out! Sidenote: I’m kind of convinced we like all the same things.
Davida Kugelmass
August 11, 2015 at 7:39 pmSAME PERSON. Knew it!!
Rose
October 20, 2017 at 9:32 pmHi I wanted to ask you a question how long does this Rosewater last for
Mz Karen
February 13, 2018 at 2:44 pm2-3 months when kept in cool dry dark place between use. Using only for yourself I would say only make 4oz at a time.
Also, for a zing I add half distilled water and half seltzer!
Vesna Pushnik
November 11, 2018 at 11:12 amI will try the recipe. I hope it works. But I believe you must use it quickly otherwise it looses its scent.
Abby
May 4, 2020 at 11:19 amIsn’t the rose water supposed to smell grass like? We followed your instructions using our garden roses but something just isn’t right.
Lena
May 8, 2020 at 5:17 pmI really think it depends on how fragrant the roses are to start with ??
Ginte
July 13, 2020 at 1:15 pmIm pretty sure you are supposed to put on the lid of the pot upside down and put a glass jar in the middle of the petals boiling to collect the evaporating water. I think it’s the actual rose water and the water from the petals is rose tea
Pamela Dragoo
July 25, 2020 at 1:48 pmNo, you should have a rose scent to the water.