How to Make Rosewater and Rosewater Facial Toner

“What beautiful roses!” The clerk mentioned, as she rang up my groceries.

“Thank you.” I thoughtfully replied.

“Where are you going to put such beauties?”

“Well, I’m actually going to boil/cook them, and then use the resulting water on my face.”

Oh the look of dismay and confusion that followed. Dustin claims that my response required an explanation, but I left it there. Right there. Hey, I had kids and groceries, and kids.

I promise there’s a perfectly good explanation for my answer. And since this time of year is the season for love and flowers, why not discuss a new purpose for the prized rose?

So, why would I subject such beautiful and costly flowers to a lovely heat bath on my stove-top? And why would I use the resulting water on my skin?  Friend, the answer is found in one word: rosewater. Let’s talk about this dainty and powerful little word…

What is Rosewater?

Rosewater is simply a flavored water that’s created by distilling the petals of the rose with steam, or steeping the petals in water. The result is a fragrant liquid that boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Thanks to these anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, rosewater has been hailed as an amazing skin spray, toner, and a wonderful addition to lotions and creams. Who wouldn’t want to walk around smelling like a rose field all day?

I’ve been hearing about rosewater for quite some time, and I’ve even used it in a hydrating spray during the summer, but it wasn’t until my spa visit a couple of months ago that I truly began to understand the benefits of using rosewater on the skin. It was that exact spa visit where I also learned about vitamin C serum. See, Honey, good things come from gifting your wife with a spa day (hint hint).

During my facial (yep, remember that facial?) the esthetician used a fragrant product on my face. The aroma of the product was so uplifting and refreshing that I had to ask about it before leaving the room.

As it turns out, the uplifting and soothing product was nothing fancy or complicated, it was simply pure rosewater. Upon further research into the product, I learned that rosewater can be used to make a facial toner, which then got me thinking, Hmmm..I can go to bed each night and go throughout my days smelling like a freshly-picked flower? Of course, I also factored in the important points about rosewater being soothing and hydrating for the skin. My thoughts weren’t all about smelling good in the carline ;).

I’ve been using a homemade toner/astringent for several years now, which consists of just two simple ingredients: apple cider vinegar and water (and sometimes an essential oil). I absolutely love that toner, but the smell, well, not so much. In fact, Dustin knows to stay far away from the bathroom when the toner bottle and cotton ball come out of hiding each night. Oh to be the husband of a do-it-yourself woman. With a new toner option, I decided to abandon my beloved apple cider vinegar toner just for a couple of weeks and try rosewater, which brings me to the end of my story and the recipe for today…

Before I share my simple rosewater toner, I’m sure you’re curious about my skincare results…

I’ve been using my rosewater toner for about two months now (experimenting between homemade rosewater and a store-bought option), and I hate it. Just kidding. Totally kidding. I wouldn’t share a recipe around here that I hate.

Okay, here’s the truth: I haven’t noticed much of a difference between using the apple cider vinegar or rosewater toner.  I’ve truly enjoyed both products, and have experienced good results with both toners. From a scent standpoint, I’m enjoying the uplifting scent of rosewater vs. the pungent scent of the apple cider vinegar (which dissipates after a few minutes).

For now, I’m sticking with a rosewater toner, but I may return to apple cider vinegar in the future. The apple cider vinegar toner is much cheaper to make than the rosewater toner, but I’m happy to share that I’ve discovered there’s a pretty simple way to make a do-it-yourself version of rosewater at home. And that, my friend, is what we’re going to do today…boil/cook roses to make rosewater, and then make a facial toner. Who’s excited?!

4.92 from 12 votes

How to Make Rosewater and Rosewater Facial Toner

I’ve been using my rosewater toner for about two months now (experimenting between homemade rosewater and a store-bought option), and I hate it. Just kidding. Totally kidding. I wouldn’t share a recipe around here that I hate.

Kristin Marr

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course How To

Cuisine Beauty, Body

Ingredients

Rosewater Facial Toner:

• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 1/4 cup rosewater homemade or store-bought
• 5 drops rose otto essential oil * or a skin-loving essential oil such as: lavender, bergamot, frankincense, or carrot seed essential oil

Homemade Rosewater:

• 2 cups rose petals * lightly packed
• 3 cups filtered water or distilled water

Instructions

• If you'd like to make rosewater: In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the rose petals and water to a boil. The petals will float, so I recommend placing a smaller lid on top of the roses during the heating/cooking process. This will keep the petals submerged in the water. Once the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer (lowest heat possible). Steep the rose petals in the water for about 45 minutes. You can steep the roses for longer, but I recommend turning off the heat and just letting the petals rest in the water versus using the heat.
• After steeping the roses, strain the rosewater from the roses using a bowl and cheesecloth (or a fine mesh sieve). A large coffee filter may also work for this step, although I haven't personally tried this method. Discard the petals. The water can now be used to make a facial toner. To keep the rosewater from spoiling, I freeze my rosewater in 1/4 cup measurements, using freezer-safe mason jars or baggies. This allows me to make several batches of rosewater toner as needed.

Notes

Rosewater Toner: To make a facial toner, combine ¼ cup witch hazel and ¼ cup rosewater in a jar or spray bottle. Spray or apply a small amount of rosewater toner on the cotton ball (or directly on your face), and then wipe your face with the cotton ball. I use this toner in the morning and at night, after using my cleanser and before using my vitamin C serum (at night) and oil moisturizer.

The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Ingredient Notes

*Rose Petal Note: Source roses that are organic and haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. I soak the rose petals in water (just like I do with fruit or lettuce) to remove any dirt or surface substances, and then rinse the rose petals before boiling them. Using a produce spray is another option for washing the petals. If you can’t find organic roses, I’d recommend purchasing store-bought rosewater to make a toner. I first started using my rosewater toner with a store-bought rosewater, and I really enjoyed the product. My goal for this recipe is to give you the option to make rosewater, if desired. Both store-bought rosewater and homemade rosewater (either steamed or distilled, see note below) will work in the facial toner recipe, which is the end goal!

*Rose Otto Essential Oil Note: Rose essential oil is a very precious oil and very costly ($80 for a tiny bottle)!! I purchase Aura Cacia Rose Otto in Jojoba Oil, which is diluted with jojoba oil (which is a great skincare oil) to make this oil more affordable. The oil provides an amazing scent to the homemade rosewater (steeped rosewater isn’t very fragrant). This is a personal choice, but right now I can’t spend $80 for a tiny bottle of 100% undiluted rose otto essential oil, so this is the next best choice for me. If you’re using a store-bought or distilled rosewater, I wouldn’t worry about adding this essential oil, unless you already own it.

Distilled vs. Steeped

My recipe uses a steeping method, which results in a colored rosewater. Technically, store-bought rosewater is distilled, which results in a clear, fragrant rosewater. Steaming doesn’t result in such a fragrant liquid, but I’ve been pleased with the final product so I continue to use this method. If you’d like to distill versus steep your rose petals, I recommend checking out this easy tutorial video.