Hydrosol effect on the skin. Natural hydrolat for skin and hair
In the article you will learn what a cosmetic product such as hydrolat is, how it can be used and how to choose. The purposes of five popular hydrolates are also described.
Feature of flower water
Hydrolate is a transparent or slightly colored liquid, “impregnated” with water-soluble and volatile elements of plant materials that do not break down and retain their natural structure. At the same time, the aroma of flower water may not be identical with the aroma of the essential oil of the same plant. High-quality hydrolate contains essential oils, but these substances enter the flower water due to their volatility in the process of extraction from plants with a stream of steam. The yield of flower water is many times greater than the amount of oil obtained.
Hydrolat is a secondary distillate with a pH of 3.0 to 6.2, a product formed during the steam distillation of plants. Despite the fact that some cosmetologists call the composition of flower waters unique and inimitable, hydrolate can be obtained by mixing alcohols, essential oils and other components in distilled water. In the production of floral waters, elements that dissolve poorly or do not dissolve at all are decanted into essential oils or stearoptens (solid components in the composition of esters), or filled with hydrolates by infusion.
Briefly, the process of obtaining flower water is as follows. Hot steam is passed through plant materials, it can be both petals and leaves and stems, as a result of which it is enriched with valuable components, including ethers. This steam cools, condenses and separates into oil and water. By the way, not all water is taken for sales, but the first 20-30%, in which case the composition is rich in a large number of favorable components.
You can get flower water from almost any plant material that can withstand steam distillation. A month after receiving the flower water, the smell and transparency of the product usually changes. Although the hydrolate component is stable, the water may bloom, showing a film or clots on its surface. These symptoms do not indicate contamination of the product, but the fact that self-organization of substances has taken place in the hydrolate. If such flower water is passed through a filter, the quality of the hydrolat will not deteriorate. To assess the composition of the product, determine the quantitative content of the components, you can carry out a chromatographic analysis.
Making flower water with your own hands
There is a difference in favor of the second in home-made and industrial hydrosols, since the process of obtaining flower water with your own hands is not ideal, but nevertheless, the resulting water will still favorably affect the health of the skin and hair. If you decide to make a hydrolate at home, be aware that in this case the product is synthesized not by distillation, but by hydrodistillation.
Some ladies use dried herbs and flowers purchased at a pharmacy or collected on their own as plant materials, fresh plants, including mint, parsley, raspberry leaves, blueberries, etc., are also suitable.
Before starting the manufacturing process itself, prepare:
- Vegetable raw materials (about 100 g).
- Water (500 ml, preferably distilled or mineral without gas).
- A saucepan with a lid without a plastic handle.
- The container where the hydrolat will be collected.
- Foil.
What will the ice be used for? - you ask. It's simple, ice is needed in order for the flower water to condense faster. Put it on the lid and watch how the hot steam is saturated with the beneficial elements of the plant and flows into the container. As soon as the ice melts, add new ice, removing warm water from the lid.
If you have a steamer available, you can facilitate the process of obtaining hydrolate using this device, however, the result of cooking will combine fewer valuable substances, which indicates a lower efficiency of the product.
Pour distilled or still mineral water into the steamer. Lay out petals, leaves or other vegetable raw materials of your choice on the upper tier. It remains only to close the device with a lid and turn it on to the minimum mode. After the water boils, turn off the steamer, let the liquid cool completely.
Learned how to get flower water, learn how to properly store the product. Keep the hydrolat in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool place, preferably in a dark spray bottle, so that there is no direct contact with bacteria. If the storage rules are followed, water can be saved for one to two months. If the hydrolat is frozen, it will be usable for at least a year. See the expiration date of an industrial product on its packaging.
Application of hydrolat
It should be noted that the properties of floral waters are to some extent similar to the properties of essential oils. Moreover, they are able to have a slightly similar healing effect, as if we saturated the base oils with a minimal amount of essential oil. If pure ethers cannot be used (this can cause irritation or even skin burns), aromatic waters do not show such reactions. As for hair care, pure esters can be used here (aromatic combing), but they can cause an allergic reaction to the aroma, as well as overdrying the hair. With hydrolates, the situation is different, they, being a safe remedy, gently affect the epidermis and hair.
Professional products contain a large amount of active substances, so they can be used in short courses so that the opposite effect does not come out. Aromatic water is marked by a low concentration of bioactive substances, which allows you to use this product for an unlimited time.
Hydrolats have found application in the preparation of cosmetic products and natural soaps. They are occupied by distilled water or added to the recipe as an additional component of the aqueous phase. The aroma of hydrolat is felt more in creams than in soaps, especially if the soap is made with a hot method.
Floral water can be sprayed onto the skin and strands, which can be especially helpful in the summer and winter, when hair can suffer from moisture loss. Do you want to freshen up? And here hydrosol can come to the rescue, it also has good deodorizing properties (pay attention to the aromas of calendula, mint, grapefruit, etc.).
Floral water is also used for compresses. Warming hydrosols improve microcirculation, fight cellulite, cooling ones are used against insect bites and to soothe the skin, while fruit and berry hydrosols with fruit acids in the composition can whiten the skin, fighting pigmentation, narrow pores, make black spots less visible, etc. Plus, they smell great.
Application of flower water for skin care
The acidity index of hydrosols does not fall over 7, which means that floral waters help the skin to preserve its protective mantle. Beneficial bacteria that allow the skin to acquire a protective mechanism multiply in an acidic environment, so soap and other cosmetics with aggressive components destroy this environment, making the skin almost defenseless. Moreover, an acidic environment prevents the reproduction of various fungi and viruses.
Each hydrolat has certain properties. So, for skin with a problem of rosacea, flower waters of rosemary, calendula, witch hazel, chamomile, etc. are recommended; to reduce age spots, they buy hydrolats of parsley, pomegranate, cucumber, lemon; for dry skin, products of sage, lavender, linden, jasmine are often used, for oily skin, rosemary, juniper, laurel, yarrow waters are suitable; to even out the tone of the face, you can use mint, St. John's wort, raspberry or lemon balm hydrosols.
With just two ingredients, you can prepare a two-phase cleanser for impurities and makeup, the result will more than please you. Take 50 ml of flower water, taking into account the characteristics of your skin, and the same amount of base oil or a mixture of oils. Base oils are also desirable to select according to the type of skin.
Pour the ingredients into a clean bottle, close the lid and you can fully use this tool by shaking it before each use and moistening a cotton pad with it.
By diluting the recipe with other components, you can end up with an even more effective remedy. So the following recipe not only relieves the skin of makeup, but also nourishes it, saturating it with useful components and slowing down the aging process:
- Jasmine hydrolate - 52.7%.
- Grapefruit seed extract - 0.6%.
- Passion fruit vegetable oil - 23%.
- Jojoba vegetable oil - 23.6%.
- Vitamin E - 0.1%.
The use of hydrolat in hair care
If you are not completely satisfied with the result of using store-bought shampoos, masks or other hair care products, you can enrich these products with hydrolat. 1-2 teaspoons per serving is enough to see the difference. True, home-made products will have the best effect.
Using floral water as a leave-in spray will moisturize the strands, give them shine, and also saturate them with a slightly perceptible aroma. Some hydrosols, after long-term use, promote hair growth, protect strands from the hot air of the hair dryer and from the influence of direct sunlight.
To prepare a two-phase product that strengthens and stimulates hair growth, prepare the following components:
- Coriander hydrolat - 71 ml.
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) - 5 ml.
- Preservative Leucidal - 4 ml.
- Mustard vegetable oil - 10 ml.
- Active squalane - 10 ml.
Where to buy flower water
Companies that produce ingredients for creaming produce a wide variety of hydrolates, including rose, rosemary, cornflower, chamomile, pine, lavender, mint, bergamot, basil, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon, lemon balm, grapefruit, sandalwood, etc.
Often, hydrolates are made only from natural raw materials, but you can also find products from synthetic components on sale that imitate more expensive fragrances, they are also not recommended for use in cosmetic procedures or personal hygiene.
When choosing an industrial hydrolat, pay attention to the composition of the product, which ideally does not contain alcohol, any dyes and additional flavors. When comparing prices for products, pay attention to the quality of the water that was involved in the distillation, it should not be tap water, but spring or artesian. For the production of high-quality hydrolats, vegetable raw materials are grown in environmentally friendly conditions without treatment with chemicals.
The hydrolate liquid is transparent and does not contain impurities, but it has a smell that corresponds to the smell of plant materials from which the flower water is obtained. The level of fragrantness depends on the type of plant, if rose hydrolate has a characteristically strong smell, then you cannot say the same about linden hydrolate, for example. The aroma also depends on the type of raw material, fresh smells stronger.
We present to your attention the following popular hydrolats, which are used for cosmetic purposes:
- Rose hydrosol, Heritage Products. This product tones the skin, is suitable for the care of any type of skin, including sensitive, fights wrinkles, reduces redness and has a pronounced pleasant rose scent. Manufacturers of natural cosmetics include rose hydrosol in products for removing puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, in anti-aging creams and soft body lotions. Rose water is sensitive to contamination, so it is recommended to store it in a dark, cool place. Volume - 240 ml, price - 461 rubles.
- Hydrolat cornflower, "Marislavna". The composition of this water is similar to the composition of sandalwood hydrolate. The product, together with Roman and German chamomile and myrtle hydrolate, forms a list of waters acceptable for use on the skin of the eyelids. Such a remedy reduces the symptoms of skin fatigue, prevents the appearance of wrinkles, has a great effect on the skin with the problem of rosacea, relieves dark circles and swelling, makes the skin more elastic, even in tone, slightly whitening age spots. You can add this product to shampoos or conditioners if you want to give your hair more shine and strength. Volume - 100 ml, cost - 180 rubles.
- Peppermint hydrosol, "Miko". This invigorating and refreshing liquid can help owners of oily skin cope with the problem of enlarged pores. Hydrolat evens out, refreshes the tone of the face, reduces itching, being an antiseptic, it is recommended for the care of oily skin prone to inflammatory processes. The tool also boasts anti-couperose and anti-edema actions. If you want to make a cosmetic product after shaving or after hair removal procedures with your own hands, you can safely include mint soothing water in the recipe. This hydrolat can also save you from motion sickness in transport, because it freshens the air well, relieving nervous tension. It is also good after overheating in the sun. Volume - 50 ml, price - 310 rubles.
- Ylang-ylang hydrosol, Zeytun. Due to the distillation of fresh flowers, ylang ylang hydrolate has a characteristic fragrance that can give cosmetics a delicate and subtle scent. The product tones the surface of the head and promotes the growth of strands, making them less brittle and dull. In facial care, it is recommended for all skin types. Ylang-ylang hydrolat finds its use in the care of weak nails. Volume - 150 ml, price - 610 rubles.
- German chamomile hydrosol, Aroma-Zone. Suitable to relieve allergic reactions and irritation, hydrolate reduces redness, restores the skin, including very sensitive. This product can be a salvation in the fight against allergies, hives and eczema, it is also recommended for strengthening blond hair. Volume - 200 ml, price - 4.9 €.
Video description of hydrolates:
Hydrosols are ideal tonics: completely natural, gently caring, restoring the natural PH level and preparing the skin in the best possible way for applying cream, serum, oil. You can’t argue with this, but another important question remains: how to choose a specific hydrosol from a long battery of bottles, each of which flaunts such “delicious” names as “Rose”, “Lavender”, “Chamomile”, etc.?
If the hydrolat is needed for some very specific purpose, then choosing it is easier. For example, if you need a tonic for the skin around the eyes - very delicate, thin and sensitive - such a tonic that will not only have a beneficial effect on the skin, but also will not hurt when it gets on the mucous membranes, in this case the choice narrows down to several options. For the skin around the eyes, cornflower and rose hydrosols are best suited.
The same is true if you need, for example, hair hydrosol. While many hydrolats are suitable for hair care (softening and "taming" during the day) - from lavender and rose to wormwood, some natural tonics are simply created to strengthen hair and improve its condition in general. Rosemary and burdock hydrosols are especially good in this regard.
It's another matter if you choose a hydrosol for the role of a facial tonic: the choice seems almost limitless. The wisest thing in this case is to choose a hydrosol according to the type of skin. A hydrolat selected in this way emphasizes care on a problematic aspect, for example, it will slightly mattify oily skin, relieve inflammation from problem skin, and soften dry and dehydrated skin.
Hydrolats for normal skin. Owners of normal skin can choose almost any hydrolate: at least it will not harm; but lavender, calendula, green tea, sage, linden, rose, chamomile hydrolates are best suited for them - all the “classics” of natural tonics. These are universal hydrolates with a complex action, very balanced and working in all directions at once.
Hydrolats for oily skin. Hydrosols of mint, sage, rosemary, wormwood, pine, burdock, green tea - all of them are distinguished by the ability to gently regulate oily skin, mattify it, slightly narrow pores and generally refresh oily skin. After these hydrosols, the skin is smoother and fresher.
Hydrolats for problem skin. What properties of tonic help in the care of problem skin? The ability to relieve inflammation and irritation, redness, soothe. Also, all tonics for problem skin are excellent natural antiseptics: hydrolats of chamomile, hyssop, burdock, mint, rosemary, green tea, pine. If the skin is both problematic and dry, then chamomile and lavender are best suited.
Hydrolats for dry skin. Dry skin needs first of all softening and gentle moisturizing. Hydrolytes of rose, witch hazel, linden, cornflower, jasmine, lavender, neroli do an excellent job with this. They do not tighten the skin, on the contrary, make it softer, help get rid of peeling.
Hydrolats for sensitive skin. Sensitive - skin that requires a special approach: it instantly reacts to any irritation and is capricious in relation to any, even natural cosmetics. Hydrolates for such skin are a real find, as they care very gently and do not contain aggressive, harsh components. Lavender, neroli, sage, chamomile, linden, marigold and cornflower are best suited for sensitive skin.
Hydrolats for mature skin. Aged skin with its reduced elasticity, lethargy, lack of tone and not too healthy shade needs to be softened, moisturized and toned, “revitalized” at the same time. Witch hazel, rose, lemon balm, linden, sage, green tea, calendula hydrosols are ideal for this purpose.
But everything is relative! Hydrolats, like any natural remedy, exhibit a whole range of properties at once, often very diverse, so a hydrolate that does not seem to suit your skin type may well be suitable for you. Ideally, you should try different tonics and look at the reaction of your skin: you will immediately feel which of the hydrolats fits just one hundred percent, and which one your skin barely tolerates.
If in doubt, you can’t accurately determine the type of your skin, or you are just getting acquainted with hydrosols, it makes sense to opt for one of the “universal” hydrosols that are suitable for almost everyone. These are hydrolats of lavender, rose, green tea, calendula and cornflower.
There are many ways to take care of your skin. Particularly effective and useful are those that include natural ingredients and natural extracts. Hydrosols are an excellent skin care product.
Hydrolats are also called flower water, because they are most often made from flowers. But hydrolates from various medicinal herbs, some berries, etc. are also useful. And they are obtained by steam or hydrodistillation.
Some mistakenly think that a hydrolate is an essential oil dissolved in water. This is not true. Hydrolats contain not only essential oils. During the manufacturing process, they absorb many of the water-soluble elements of the plant, so they have a very rich composition. Before use, they do not need to be diluted, they are used in their pure form.
I think many of you have heard about rose water or used it - this is the real rose hydrosol, probably one of the most popular and versatile. That's what I tried first. It is suitable for all skin types - soothes, moisturizes, tones. How does it smell...
What are hydrosols used for?
- Instead of facial toner. You just need to moisten a damp cotton pad in the hydrolate and wipe your face (for example, after applying ubtan) - the hydrolate will moisturize the skin and narrow the pores.
- Hydrosol Facial Spray: You can spray the hydrosol onto your face multiple times a day to freshen up the color and add extra moisture to your face. I spray this water on my face before applying oil instead of regular water or mineral water. Do not spray on cosmetics!
- Two-phase facial cleanser (removes makeup and any impurities): combine 70% hydrolate and 30% base oil in a spray bottle. Before use, shake well, spray on the face, massage, remove with a warm, damp cotton pad.
- Spray for hair. Plants contain phytohormones that can make hair stronger and shinier, and accelerate their growth. After washing my hair, I often spray flower water on the roots, and a little along the entire length. Hydrolats smell amazingly like flowers - an added plus. This helps to get rid of the smell of apple cider vinegar, which I often rinse my hair with.
- Ice cubes - just freeze the hydrolat and wipe the face with the resulting cubes at the end of washing.
- Enrichment of homemade soap (use instead of water).
- You can dilute any face and hair masks with this remedy instead of plain water.
How hydrosols affect the skin:
- Dry and sensitive skin (including the skin around the eyes): rose, ylang-ylang, immortelle, celandine, cornflower, heather, hibiscus, calendula, lavender, linden, cucumber, chamomile, currant, hops, rosehip, acacia, mountain ash, fennel, yarrow, grapes
- Normal skin: lemon balm, celandine, birch, grape, nettle, lavender, calendula, burdock, mint, chamomile, pine, yarrow, thyme, linden, peppermint, ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, sage, cucumber, currant, parsley
- Oily skin: ginger, pine, fir, hibiscus, tea tree, birch, grapefruit, tangerine, spruce, viburnum, nettle, oak, lemon, peppermint and lemon, parsley, plantain, chamomile, horsetail, string, celandine, sage, laurel , lemon balm, rosemary, wormwood, rose, coriander, juniper, thyme
- Combination skin: lemon balm, lemon, tangerine, calamus, verbena, oak, ginger, viburnum, laurel, linden, peppermint and lemon, cucumber, parsley, wormwood, rosemary, mountain ash, yarrow, thyme, string, celandine, sage, birch, hibiscus, chamomile, juniper, nettle, tea tree, burdock, plantain, pine, coriander, hops, horsetail
- Hydrolats for dry and sensitive skin deeply moisturize, eliminate dryness, even out the complexion, make the skin velvety and soft. For oily skin - narrow pores, have an anti-inflammatory effect, help get rid of pimples and inflammation, cleanse and tone.
Hair properties:
- Enhancing hair growth, strengthening, adding shine: nettle, oak, sage, spruce, ylang-ylang, acacia, grapefruit, ginger, laurel, lavender, lemon, tangerine, parsley, rosemary, hops, horsetail, linden, burdock, wormwood, pine .
- Against dandruff: tea tree, lavender, birch, oak, ginger, nettle, lemon, burdock, mandarin, juniper, orange, plantain, wormwood, mountain ash, yarrow, hops, thyme, celandine, spruce, pine, tarragon, succession.
Hydrosols are not just essential oils or flower water, but a real treasure for any woman. Thanks to the healing effects, it is possible to eliminate numerous problems of the skin, hair, and also increase immunity. Hydrolates are completely natural substances, so everyone can use the product without exception.
This is such an amazing tool for creating beauty that nature has given us! Use Bizoryuk natural cosmetics and watch your skin and hair change, and you yourself along with them.
Vegetable hydrosols have become a real must-have for lovers of natural cosmetics. A special production process allows you to save useful substances from vegetable raw materials, which perfectly moisturize the skin and saturate it with vitamins. Manufacturers claim that hydrolat is several skin care products in one bottle. Before buying, you should understand the composition and features of the use of new items.
Review of the best hydrosols for face, hair and body
Like any other cosmetics, hydrosols should be selected depending on the type of skin and the problem that is bothering you. But there are also universal varieties of flower water that will suit absolutely anyone. And some hydrolats will help to cope with the problem that other cosmetics did not help to solve. The top 15 includes the most effective and versatile varieties of medicinal plant distillates.
cornflower
Ideal for the eye area. Quickly relieves fatigue and redness, tones the skin and makes it more elastic. Cornflower blue water is suitable for those who are concerned about dark circles and bags under the eyes. Useful substances from cornflower extract will slow down skin aging and prevent the appearance of deep wrinkles.
the Rose
This hydrolat is considered royal. And it's not about the cost, but about the magical effect. Rose is able to rejuvenate the skin and raise its tone, with regular use it brightens and evens out the tone of the face. Hydrolat heals small wounds, and when used on the scalp, eliminates dandruff.
Immortelle
The name of the plant speaks for itself: immortelle flower water is one of the best remedies for premature skin aging. For owners of normal or dry epidermis, it is better to choose immortelle essential oil, and for girls with oily or problematic epidermis, a light hydrosol will help.
chamomile
Chamomile flower water is an excellent remedy for soothing irritated skin. Chamomile cleanses and whitens the tone well, making it soft and delicate, unlike chemicals. This hydrosol can be used to treat gum disease or eye disease.
Sage
The main cause of skin rashes in girls is an increased level of male hormones. Phytoestrogens contained in sage help to normalize hormonal levels and reduce the number of rashes. The distillate can be applied topically or taken internally. Sage will help with women's problems: PMS, amenorrhea, painful menstruation.
Green tea
A real storehouse of antioxidants and tonic substances. Aromatic water with green tea must be in the purse of every owner of oily and problem skin. Regular use of the liquid will help get rid of oily sheen, disinfect the surface of the epidermis and reduce the risk of new acne.
Pine
Another good product for problem skin. Pine extract is famous for its antibacterial properties, so it will improve the situation with acne of any degree. For maximum effect, it is recommended to knead clay masks on pine hydrolate and spray the liquid over the face during the procedure, not allowing the clay to dry.
St. John's wort
The plant is valued for its powerful calming effect. St. John's wort has a good effect on both the nervous system and the skin. It is recommended to use a distillate from this plant for irritated or dry skin. It is equally useful to regularly spray the face and owners of enlarged pores, flower water will help narrow them.
horsetail
The plant is suitable for all skin types. Horsetail perfectly whitens and evens out the complexion, relieves bruises under the eyes. Beauticians recommend applying horsetail distillate to the hair, with particular emphasis on the roots. This will help strengthen the hair follicles and make the strands smooth and soft along the entire length.
Mint
The plant tones the skin, reduces the amount of sebum produced, improves complexion and removes inflammation. Mint water can be applied topically to insect bites to reduce itching and disinfect the wound. To make the hair soft and shiny, you need to distribute the hydrolat along the entire length after washing.
cistus
Ideal for older women. The impact of the beneficial components of the cistus tones the epidermis and smoothes out wrinkles. It is useful to use flower water to gently cleanse the skin. Sprinkling cistus on the face during a massage can improve lymph flow and stimulate cell renewal.
Jasmine
Another versatile aromatic water. Jasmine is well suited for both very young and older women. The plant tones and deeply moisturizes the skin, evening out the color and preventing the appearance of wrinkles. Can be used for any type of epidermis.
Rosemary
The perfect solution for those who are tired of fighting acne. When sprayed on the skin, rosemary water dries out pimples, kills bacteria and heals minor wounds. Rosemary is no less effective in the treatment of oily seborrhea. If you regularly rinse your hair, the roots will stop getting dirty so quickly.
Eucalyptus
The use of eucalyptus distillate will help reduce the number of acne and eliminate the inflammatory process. Eucalyptus fights not only with the consequence - acne, but also with the original cause, normalizing the work of the sebaceous glands and narrowing the pores. It is also good to use it for hair, especially if they fall out a lot.
Orange
Citrus liquid has a bright aroma that stays on the skin for a long time. You can apply hydrolat not only on the face, but also on the body, especially on areas with cellulite. An orange is no less useful for older women. Thanks to its tonic effect, orange water helps to maintain skin tone and prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
Video: Overview of hydrosols for face and head skin
How to make your own hydrolat
Yes, if you can’t find the right flower water or have doubts about the quality, you can prepare it yourself. The process takes a lot of time and effort, but the result is guaranteed to be effective and natural.
First of all, you need to prepare a medicinal plant, a pot with a lid, a small deep bowl, a steaming net, food foil. The water used for distillation must be filtered.
The hydrolat is prepared as follows:
- Hot water is poured into the pan at the rate of a liter for every 200 g of the plant.
- A mesh for steaming is installed inside. It is important that water does not seep through the holes and does not wet the raw material.
- A bowl is placed directly on the pieces of the plant. It is desirable that the distance between its edges and the walls of the pan is minimal. This will help to collect more liquid.
- The saucepan is covered with a lid and heated. As the water evaporates, the droplets will condense on the lid and drain into the bowl.
The resulting product can be stored for 3-4 months, preferably in the refrigerator.
Hydrolat is a magical remedy bestowed by nature itself. Useful substances and vitamins quickly penetrate the skin, normalizing the functioning of the sebaceous glands and nourishing the epidermis and dermis. But you should not rely only on hydrosols. Proper comprehensive care will help get rid of annoying problems and join the ranks of owners of perfect skin and hair.
Video: How to make your own herbal water
Hello dear readers. Today we are discussing what hydrosol for the face is, why hydrosol is good, how to use it, and also talk about how you can make hydrosol at home.
Miracle Facial: Hydrolat
What is a facial hydrosol? This is aromatic water (flower, fragrant), which is obtained in the process of creating essential oil (in the first stage of the process).
An amazing tool containing only one ingredient, has amazing multifunctionality.
The hydrolate contains many biologically active substances that are in the oil of the plant, but there is not so much oil in them (this is what makes it possible to use a delicate hydrolate for the most sensitive areas of the skin of the face).
Hydrosols cleanse the skin, are an excellent alternative to tonics, lotions, creams, and are used as ingredients in natural cosmetics. They are added to masks and facial scrubs.
A cosmetic product can be purchased ready-made, or you can make it yourself.
More about scented water
Hydrolate is a concentrate of utility. In the product, effective substances are present in a pure, unprocessed state.
As a raw material for floral water, not only flowers are used, but also herbs, leaves, roots, citrus fruits, and berries.
Hydrosol properties are similar to those of essential oils, but the miracle product is safer.
Floral water is a completely transparent liquid. Its aroma is identical to that of the essential oil of the plant from which the hydrolate is derived.
The intensity of the aroma is determined by the fragrant nature of the original plant. So, a product made from lavender or tangerine will always smell stronger than linden hydrolate.
The fragrance of flower water also depends on whether the hydrolate is made from a dry or fresh plant. If dry raw materials were used, the smell will be weaker.
Choosing a hydrolate
Hydrolates moisturize, work as antiseptics, relieve inflammation, heal irritations, wounds.
Since the product is a one-component product, only one plant should be listed on the label. There should not be any other ingredients in the composition of the hydrolate, otherwise it is a fake.
The right hydrosol:
- It will cleanse and keep the skin toned.
- Narrows pores.
- Brighten the face, improve its color, reduce pigmentation.
- Rejuvenates, reduces the number of wrinkles.
- Improves collagen production.
- Reduces inflammation and irritation.
- It will help the skin of the eyelids to rejuvenate, become fresh.
- Has a bactericidal effect.
The degree of effectiveness of hydrolates is determined by the qualities of the original plant and the regularity of the use of flower water.
It is best to choose hydrosols according to skin type.
With combination skin, hydrolates should affect the functioning of the sebaceous glands (moisturizing some areas, controlling the appearance of oily sheen in others). Cosmetologists advise using green tea, neroli, sage.
Owners of sensitive skin should use rose, chamomile, neroli, jasmine. Such hydrosols will relieve inflammation, moisturize and nourish.
With a problematic skin type, hydrolates obtained from hyssop, chamomile, lemon, orange, tea tree, juniper, thyme, and lemon balm will cleanse well, eliminate irritation.
Cleansing of oily skin should be entrusted to mint, ginger, oregano, laurel, grapefruit, citrus, rosemary, string, sage, lemon balm, nettle, parsley, neroli.
With dry skin, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose hips, grapes, cornflower, calendula, hops, yarrow, fennel will take care of it carefully.
Verbena, viburnum, lavender, calendula, chamomile, burdock, thyme, sage, green tea will help keep normal skin in good shape, perfectly moisturize it.
Aging skin needs hydrolates that improve metabolic processes, restore cellular respiration, tighten, fight wrinkles. Suitable ginseng and lime, lemon balm and fir, rose and sage, green tea and lavender.
Witch hazel, neroli, chamomile, rose, cornflower, St. John's wort, sage, dog rose have anti-couperose qualities. They will also remove spider veins.
It is best to take care of the eye area using cornflower, parsley, wild rose, rose, linden, chamomile, cucumber. You can make compresses and lotions, or you can gently blot tender places.
The most popular hydrosols
Which hydrosol to choose? The most common means that provide a stunning effect, cosmetologists include:
- Cornflower (very well fights aging, softens, restores).
- Horsetail . Rejuvenates. Helps with dark circles under the eyes. Protects from environmental influences, tightens pores, helps with allergies, dermatitis, psoriasis.
- Hamamelis. Removes toxins from the skin, tightens pores, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Sage. Phytoestrogen, antioxidant. Rejuvenates, cleanses pores, fights acne, starts cell regeneration processes.
- Rosemary. Removes inflammation, improves blood circulation, deeply tones, heals.
- Immortelle has a regenerating property, as well as anti-inflammatory and bactericidal.
- Mint is needed for problematic, inflamed skin. Removes oily shine, refreshes.
- Parsley whitens, fights acne, narrows dilated capillaries, eliminates greasy shine, rejuvenates.
You can find even more hydrolats at the link. Use the code 8238 to receive a discount.
We apply correctly
Let's take a look at how to use facial hydrolat to get the most beneficial effect.
Excellent care product can be used after washing or removing make-up as a tonic. It will cleanse the face well, refresh it, give the necessary nutrition to the skin, and increase blood flow. Just wipe your face with fragrant water.
During the hot summer months and winter, when the radiators are on, the face will get wonderful hydration if you use the hydrolate as a spray.
You need to pour the product into a container with a spray bottle. The procedure will give a wonderful effect of moisturizing and nourishing if carried out regularly (three to five times a day).
Frozen fragrant water (cubes) wipe the skin immediately after washing. In case of rosacea, ice cubes should not be used.
Hydrolate is used to dilute masks, scrubs and other care products. You can moisturize your face with it before applying a mask or using a scrub. Beneficial substances will penetrate the skin layers better.
Lotions are suitable for eyelids. The duration of the procedure is up to 15 minutes. Similar lotions (compresses) can also be used to treat rosacea.
So, hydrolat is a wonderful substitute for tonic, lotion, cream and perfectly cares for the face.
Making hydrolate at home
How to make hydrolat at home? There is a way that allows you to create flower water without any special tricks.
To do this, the synthesis of hydrolat is carried out from raw materials (dry or fresh, purchased at a pharmacy or collected by oneself; these can be flower petals, herbs, roots, leaves), using the hydrodistillation method.
You will need:
- 100 grams of raw materials.
- 500 ml of water: well purified or mineral water (non-carbonated).
- A saucepan that has a convex lid.
- Plate.
- Piala.
- Foil.
Fresh raw materials are washed, dry ones do not need processing. A plate with parts of plants is placed on the bottom of the pan, water is poured (the raw material must be completely covered with it), a bowl should be placed on the plate (then the finished product will be in it).
The lid is placed on the pan with the concave side up, the circle of contact of the walls of the pan with the lid is covered with foil (steam will not come out of the pan).
Turn on a low fire, set a pan on it. When the water boils, put ice on the lid (to accelerate the formation of condensate of flower water).
The steam, which has absorbed the beneficial substances of plants, rises and, on contact with a cold lid, turns into condensate, drops of which flow into a cup or bowl. Ice is added from time to time.
The process takes an hour and a half. Let the pot cool down. There will be hydrosol in the bowl.
The second home technique is simpler, the process is faster, but speed and simplicity reduce the concentration of the resulting product.
You will need a double boiler, 250 grams of plants, a liter of water. Water is poured into the double boiler, plants are placed on the upper tier.
The steamer is covered with a lid, put on a low fire, which must be turned off when the water boils. At the bottom of the container is the hydrolate you received.
Hydrosol storage rules
Since hydrolate is a very sensitive care product (both industrial and homemade), it is necessary to prevent exposure to light, heat, and microbes from entering the flower water.
The action of these negative factors can be avoided if the hydrolat is stored in a dark glass container that has been sterilized beforehand.
The container should be tightly closed and placed in the refrigerator. The hydrolat should be used within one to two months.
When fragrant water is frozen in plastic containers, its shelf life increases to a year (in the freezer). Useful properties will not be lost.
It is best to use a spray bottle after making the hydrolate: there will be no microbes in the container.
We hope that the information that you have learned from this article will help you to take care of your face with pleasure. Use natural hydrolate products that "work" for your beauty and health!
