What Are Hydrosols? The Power and Uses of Floral Waters in Aromatherapy

What is a Hydrosol? How is it Different from Essential Oils?

When rose petals are distilled, not only does it produce a deeply fragrant essential oil, but it also creates a gentle and refreshing byproduct of the process: hydrosol , or floral water, which gently contains the essence of the plant.

Essential oils, known in aromatherapy as the "soul" of the plant, and hydrosols, defined as its "body," are actually born from the same distillation process. However, these two miraculous products are quite different in terms of structure and use.

How Are Hydrosols Obtained?

Hydrosols are produced during the processing of leaves, flowers or stems of plants by steam distillation .
In this process, while the essential oil accumulates at the top, the valuable molecules dissolved in water that remain at the bottom are that soft aromatic hydrosol.

Hydrosols contain very small amounts of essential oils, but this low concentration makes them gentler , lighter , and perfect for sensitive skin .

 

Differences Between Essential Oils and Hydrosols

Feature	Essential Oil	Hydrosol (Flower Water)
Intensity	Very high (concentrated)	Low, diluted
Usage	Used diluted	Generally directly applicable
Skin friendly	Sensitive skin requires caution	Ideal for sensitive skin
Volatility	High	Low
Smell	Intense and dominant	Light, floral
Storage	Affected by light and temperature	More stable (but still a cool place is recommended)

You can learn more about aromatherapy oils.

Why Should You Use Hydrosols?

• To balance your skin naturally
• To benefit from the aromatherapy effect more gently
• To provide safe care for babies, children and sensitive skin

Hydrosols meet you in nature's softest and most touchable form.
It offers an ideal way to refresh your skin, use as a toner or refresh your spirit during the day, especially in the summer months.

From Which Plants Are Hydrosols Obtained?

Not all plants are the same; some yield a powerful essential oil when distilled, while others produce a more gentle, balanced, and skin-friendly hydrosol .
As Libade, with our nature-respecting production approach, we only prefer hydrosols of plants that have proven effective and are valued in the world of aromatherapy .

Here are the most common and effective sources of hydrosols:

Rose (Rosa Damascena) Hydrosol

• Provides skin balance and has a tonic effect.
• It is perfect for sensitive, reddened and dehydrated skin.
• Its light floral scent soothes the mood and provides emotional balance.

Libade suggestion: Add a gentle facial cleansing with a few drops of rose hydrosol to your morning routine.

Rose Hydrosol Product Page

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Hydrosol

• It soothes the skin and reduces the appearance of inflammation.
• It can be applied to the skin after sun exposure in summer.
• It has a relaxing effect when sprayed on the pillow or in the environment before sleep.

Libade suggestion: Spray it on your pillow on summer evenings – take a deep breath, let go of the tiredness of the day.

Lavender Hydrosol Product Page

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Hydrosol

• It is known for its purifying and balancing properties.
• It is preferred as a natural tonic for oily and acne-prone skin .
• Its slightly sharp, herbal scent helps with mental revitalization and focus.
• It provides balance to the scalp and gives a feeling of freshness.

Libade note: When your energy level drops during the day, refresh yourself with a few sprays of rosemary hydrosol on your face or scalp!

Rosemary Hydrosol Product Page

Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita) Hydrosol

• Suitable for the most sensitive skin, including baby skin.
• It is soothing for itching, redness and irritation.
• It can be applied around the eyes.

Libade suggestion: Soak your under-eye pad in chamomile hydrosol and leave it for 5 minutes in the morning → say goodbye to puffiness.

Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Hydrosol

• It is supportive for acne-prone skin with its antibacterial effect.
• Helps balance sweat glands → can also be used as a natural underarm spray.

Libade suggestion: Discover sage hydrosol as a purifying support for both your skin and mind during busy days.

Small Note:

Every hydrosol is only useful if the production process is transparent and additive-free.
At Libade, all our hydrosols are produced from a single distillate, without additives or preservatives . Transparent content, real effect.

Areas of Use of Hydrosols

Hydrosols aren't just skin toners. Thanks to their natural, versatile, and safe structure, they can be used in many areas of daily life.
Their light aromatic texture gently impacts both physical and mental health. Here are some practical and effective ways to incorporate hydrosols into your daily routine:

1. Use as a Skin Toner

Hydrosols are most often chosen as an essential step in skincare routines .
– Tightens pores
– Supports the pH balance of the skin
– Gently moisturizes and soothes the skin

How to Use?
After cleansing in the morning and evening, apply to your face with a cotton pad or spray directly with a spray.

Best for: Rose, chamomile, lavender hydrosols

2. Ambient Spray / Aromatherapy Refresher

Hydrosols do not carry as intense scents as essential oils, but they soften the air and change the energy of your environment .

Areas of use:

• Home/work environment sprays
• Yoga/meditation rooms
• Safe freshness in baby rooms

How to Use?
You can fill it into a glass spray bottle and spray it on surfaces such as curtains, pillows, sheets, or directly into the air.

Recommended: Lavender, lemon balm, sage hydrosols

3. Use on Babies and Sensitive Skin

Since hydrosols do not contain alcohol, paraben or synthetic perfume, they can be used with peace of mind in baby care.

How to use:

• Gentle cleaning after diaper change
• As a face and body spray
• To give a soft scent to baby clothes

Safest: Chamomile, rose, lavender hydrosols
Note: A small test is recommended before each use.

4. Hair and Scalp Care

In natural hair care, hydrosols are used to both soothe the scalp and give a fresh feeling.

Benefits:

• Helps prevent dandruff formation
• Helps balance oily scalp
• Can be used as a natural hair fragrance

Usage: It can be applied with a spray to clean hair after showering.

5. Supportive in Face Masks and Bath

Using hydrosol instead of pure water in clay masks and facial serums provides additional benefits to the skin.
You can also add a few tablespoons to your bath water for a relaxing bath experience .

For a SPA effect at home:
Make evening baths more meaningful with lavender or lemon balm hydrosol.

Practical Reminder:

Area of ​​Use	The Most Suitable Hydrosols
Skin Tonic	Rose, lavender, daisy
The environment is refreshing	Lavender, lemon balm, sage
Baby Care	Daisy, rose
Hair Care	Sage, lavender
Face Mask & Bath	Lemon balm, lavender

Natural Skin Revitalization with Rose Hydrosol

When you wake up one morning and spray cold rose water on your face... The freshness of your skin at that moment is not just a refreshing feeling; it is the current reflection of thousands of years of natural care tradition .
Rose hydrosol is one of the most special flower waters that has been used throughout history for both physical and spiritual care.

What is Rose Hydrosol?

Rose hydrosol is obtained by steam distillation of medicinal rose species such as Rosa Damascena or Rosa Centifolia . The resulting water gently carries the rose's aromatic molecules.

It's a much lighter, gentler, and soothing liquid than rose oil. It's especially effective on sensitive, dry, reddened, or mature skin.

Benefits of Rose Hydrosol for Skin

• Provides pH balance: Protects the skin's natural barrier.
• Soothes redness: It offers a gentle effect for sensitive and reactive skin.
• Provides moisture support: Reduces the feeling of dryness and dullness.
• It has an antioxidant effect: It is a protective support against skin aging.
• Balances the appearance of pores: Purifies the skin, especially when used as a toner.

Daily Use Recommendations

• Morning and evening: Apply directly to clean skin using a cotton pad or spray nozzle.
  
• During the day: Carry it in your bag to refresh your skin in dry office air or on city walks.
  
• Evening routine: Create a peaceful sleep environment by spraying it on your pillow or face towel before going to sleep.

Libade Tip:

By mixing rose hydrosol into clay masks that you will apply 1-2 times a week, you can increase the detox effect and prevent the mask from drying out the skin.

A Rose-Scented Ritual

Rose hydrosol is not only good for your skin but also for your soul.
Its soft aroma is like breathing in the middle of a field of flowers.
Start your natural care ritual with Libade's carefully produced, additive-free and pure rose hydrosol .

Complete your ritual with aromatherapy oils.

What to Consider When Choosing a Hydrosol?

Not every product sold as “rose water” or “flower water” is a true hydrosol .
Unfortunately, many products sold under the name hydrosol may contain added perfume, alcohol, or essence . This not only diminishes the aromatherapy effect but can also be harmful to the skin.

There are some basic criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a real, effective and safe hydrosol:

1. Production Method: Steam Distillation

True hydrosols are obtained by steam distillation together with essential oils.
Thanks to this method, the aromatic molecules of the plant pass into the water.
Mixtures that smell like rose water but are made with only essential oil are not hydrosols.

2. It should not contain preservatives, alcohol or synthetic fragrances.

If you see the following on the label, stay away:

• “Fragrance”, “Perfume”, “Alcohol”
• Paraben, phenoxyethanol, dyes

A true hydrosol should consist only of:
Latin name of the plant + Aqua (water)

3. Packaging: Light-Protected Glass Bottle Should Be Preferred

Hydrosols can be affected by light and heat. Therefore:

• It should be presented in amber or dark glass bottles .
• Plastic packaging can degrade the quality of the product.
• Having a spray head provides both hygiene and ease of use.

4. Storage Conditions: Keep in the Refrigerator or Cool Place

As with all natural products, hydrosols have a limited shelf life .
Storing it in a cool and dry place, preferably in the refrigerator, preserves both its effectiveness and scent for a long time.

5. Brand Transparency and Certification

• Is the plant source known?
• Is the production method clearly stated?
• Is it clear whether there are additives or not?
  Choose brands that will give you peace of mind when answering these questions.

What's Different in Libade?

All hydrosols we produce as Libade:

• It is prepared in small batches using a single distillation method.
  
• Does not contain any additives
  
• Available in amber glass bottles with a spray head
  
• The label clearly includes the content and recommended usage information.

Check out all our hydrosol products.

Meet the Gentlest Form of Nature

A bottle of hydrosol is a silent carrier of healing that touches both your skin and your soul.
Rose, lavender, daisy... Each one is a little miracle that nature whispers to us.
Make room for beauty in its purest form with Libade's pure, artisan hydrosols. Start with a spray today.

Explore our blog for more natural care tips.
Don't forget to check out our Herbal Tea Guide or our Health Routine with Aromatherapy Oils article !