How Rose Water Benefits Sensitive Skin

Do you have trouble finding products that don’t irritate your skin? Rose water might be just the relief struggling skin needs. This gentle formula is made by steeping rose petals in simmering water; the end result is an aromatic formula packed with polyphenols and other skin-loving components.

Rose water benefits go beyond a gentle fragrance – it’s used in our Flower Water Toner for more than one reason. Let’s discover why this solution benefits sensitive skin and how you can use it for maximum results.

Why Rose for Sensitive Skin?

Rose water benefits all skin types, but it’s especially suited to sensitive skin. You may have a sensitive skin type or sensitized skin. Sensitive skin often refers to the way skin behaves due to genetics. Eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea normally fall under the sensitive skin type.

Certain factors can lead to sensitivity, too – these factors include our skin care ingredients and environmental stressors. Some examples include sun exposure, exfoliating acids, and other potent active ingredients. Redness and irritation due to these elements is often short-lived or goes away after the skin adapts. Acne can lead to sensitive skin, too - especially if inflamed, red pimples often show up.

Many times, regular products will irritate delicate skin. Avoiding dyes, sulfates, and parabens become paramount to avoiding redness and inflammation. Besides taking ingredients out of your routine, rose water is an ingredient you should consider using more.

How Rose Water Works

Rose water boasts a number of different properties suited to sensitive skin types. These properties enable rose water to replace toners and moisturizers that prove irritating or too heavy. Let’s uncover exactly how rose water functions!

#1: Strong anti-inflammatory properties
Perhaps rose water’s greatest superpower is its anti-inflammatory nature. This natural ingredient soothes redness and calms inflammation - perfect for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Rose does this partly by inhibiting stressors that leads to free radical damage, which brings us to our next benefit!

#2: Free radical defenses
Rose is reported to have a high number of polyphenols. Polyphenols are chemical compounds that neutralize free radicals. This damage can be brought on by unprotected sun exposure and air pollution. As a result, rose water benefits skin by protecting it from UV rays and environmental stress.

#3: Moisturizing effects
Rose water helps prevent hydration from leaving the skin. When used in mists, formulas known for their water-loving properties, rose water gently hydrates and seals in moisture without clogging pores.

#4: PH-balancing abilities
Our skin exists at a pH between 4.5 to 6.7. Products that aren’t pH-balanced can make our skin work at a less than optimal acidity level. Rose water has a natural pH of 5.5 - a comfortable spot for our acid mantle!

#5: Antibacterial properties
Rose water benefits include keeping bacteria at bay. A compromised skin barrier often comes with conditions like eczema and psoriasis. This can make it easier for bacteria to enter the skin. Not to mention, itchiness can lead to scratching, often producing open wounds - a prime entryway. Acne and rosacea involve bacteria on the surface of the skin, too. Rose water can help protect your skin from pathogens and fight off already present bacteria.

#6: Anti-aging benefits
Rose water hinders elastase and collagenase production. These enzymes degrade elastin and collagen, two important components of skin structure. Since rose water is gentle, it’s a good alternative for other anti-aging products like retinol - which often irritates even non-sensitive skin. Plus, polyphenols are known for their >anti-aging activities!

How to Use Rose Water 4 Ways

Use as a toner
Since toner often works to balance our pH after cleansing, rose water is an ideal gentle solution. Our Flower Water Toner combines skin-balancing rose water with soothing calendula and water-loving hyaluronic acid. Follow up with a rose water moisturizer.

Use to hydrate and refresh
Spritzing a rose water mist on dry skin throughout the day helps to add and preserve hydration in the skin. Another option in relieving dry skin is to use rose water in a bath or in an aloe face mask. Aloe is a skin-soothing humectant - perfect to use as a base for your face mask.

Use in wet wrap therapy
Wet wrap therapy enhances rose water benefits by keeping rose water on skin for a few hours. Here are the steps to engage in wet wrap therapy at home:

1. Moisten a gauze wrap with rose water until slightly damp

2. Wrap the damp gauze around extremely dry skin

3. Follow up with a dry gauze wrap

4. Leave the wraps on overnight or for several hours

Use to calm skin
Rose water benefits skin after sun exposure and stronger treatments, like retinol and chemical exfoliants. Retinol, AHAs, and BHA can all dry out and irritate even normal to oily skin types. This means it’s especially important to soothe sensitive and dry skin after these treatments. It’s a good idea to simplify your skincare routine after retinoids or peels. For you, this can mean using a rose water toner and moisturizer - then calling it a day.

DIY Rose Water

While rose water benefits skincare products, sometimes you need a home remedy when your infused products run out. All you need are a few roses and water. For fresh rose water, we’ve summarized the steps for you below!

1. Remove the petals of 7-8 roses and rinse them clean.

2. Place the petals in a large pot and pour distilled water over them. Cover the roses completely.

3. Cover the pot and let the water simmer on low heat. Wait until the petals lose their color.

4. Strain the liquid and dispose the petals.

5. Wait until the water cools down to use it, or store in the refrigerator for a skin-cooling effect.

Rose water benefits your skin in more than one way. Luxurious enough for Cleopatra, rose water packs soothing effects, anti-aging activities, and free radical busting in one fragrant fluid. Looking for more advice on treating dry, sensitive skin? Check out our post on How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on Face.