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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.
Question can you use other color roses or
Do they have to be red
hey davida, i have been getting white pimples using rosewater well i am assuming that but then i relized my rose water is expired. So does the rose water being expired has to do anything with my pimples?
Hi Zainab, I n reply to your question regarding rosewater being related to your pimples, I;m not a specialist, but I do know, that anything that acts as an astringent, or closes pores, as does Rosewater, it can cause pimples, because everyone’s skin type is different, but all needs to breath, so if you have oily skin, some astringent is good, but not too strong, if you have dry skin, and use a toner or astringent, your pores are already tight, so you would be trapping oils in, if that be the case, you might want to dilute the rosewater more, or mix it with a moisturizer, and use it more like a creme. I know this area,from experience, because I have combo skin, and my daughter has very dry skin. You can also get little white pimples from being irritated, same thing applies. I hope this helps !
I received a bouquet of roses from the grocery store for Valentines day. Can I use these roses? Or do they need to be home-grown?
You certainly can! Just give them a good wash to get rid of any pesticides. Organic is ideal but I get that it isn’t always possible!
How long does the timer last outside the fridge and can I use dried rose petals? I’ve seen several people ask these questions but I see no answer and I’m super curious also. Can you help?
Yes you can use dry, but let them soak to absorb water 30 minutes or so before you cook. You use less than fresh because fresh are 80% water.
If you put this in a cool dry dark place between using it, like I keep my house at 70%, my 4oz will last 2-3 months, about the same in the fridge because it is moist.
I have some organic rose powder. Can you pleasenadvise on ratios of powder to water to make a spray for face and hair. Thiking of addig some glycerin too!
Quality varies from source to source, but I would start with 1/2 ounce rose powder to 4 oz of water. See how that does.
Hi I was just wondering how long the toner would last out of the fridge. Thanks.
I just stumbled upon this site and love it! I live in Michigan. We had one of the hottest summers this year. (doesn’t help that we have a climate denying president ?) A dear Indian friend made me a glass of rose water drink that she said they drink in India to stay hydrated in the heat. Can I make the sweet drink from the diy rose water? If so, what is the dilution and how much sugat should I add? It was very sweet and yummy!
I bought a dozen red roses and finished making my rose water but no smell
Help I wanted them for a shower I am giving
I was wondering the same thing. I have beautiful yellow roses in my yard and yes they are organic. So my question is why does the color make a difference. Thank you for your assistance
can I soak incense cones in the rose water? For rose scented incense cones.