Rose water- Nature's best kept secret for younger and glowing skin

How many times have you envied flawless skin on other women? How many times have you wished you knew their skincare routine? You might have wondered why makeup looks better on some people. Well, we might have a possible answer for you rose water or the quintessential Gulab Jal.

 The western world might wake up to this exotic beauty product, but rose water has been in East and South Asian culture for decades. Gulab Jal is also one of the best-kept secrets of ancient Indian beauty. Ayurveda believes that in addition to skin and health benefits, rose water also helps in balancing our emotions. Read on to know more about this holy grail of skincare and how you can include it in your daily regime.

Let's look back...

There are many theories as to who first discovered rose water and how. One group of people believed rose water was first found by the women of the Berber tribe who are indigenous to the North African regions. 

 Another group believes that it was used in erstwhile Persia (now Iran). Iranian royals used roses for their fine, delicate mist. Avicenna discovered refined rose water, a Persian scientist who quickly became a precious trade commodity between empires.
In India, ancient emperors used rose water to welcome guests. Indian royalty used face masks infused rose water for skin whitening. Cultures around the world used rose water for its anti-inflammatory properties. Prominent figures in history like musician Tansen, Shakespeare and Michaelangelo have all mentioned or use rose water for varied purposes.
 

Benefits of rose water for skin:

1. Soothes, redness and irritation

Blotchy and irritated skin? Rosewater is your answer. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps treat certain skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea, which cause redness on the skin.

It is also anti-bacterial and soothes acne and allergies.

2. Treats infections 

Ever wondered why most natural antiseptic packs contain rosewater? Rosewater has antiseptic properties and helps heal ailments.

3. Heal wounds 

Got a cut or a minor injury? Have a dark spot in a wound that healed? Use rosewater for a few weeks, and you will see the difference.

It is also beneficial for minor zits or scars on the face. Use rosewater religiously at least three times a week, and you will be able to witness some noticeable change!

4. Treats cold 

In the ancient days, gulab jal was also used to treat common cough and cold.

5. Anti-ageing properties 

Anti-ageing products containing collagen and hyaluronic acid have taken the skincare industry by storm. However, do you know that our very own Gulab Jal is a potent anti-ageing product in itself? All rose extracts, including rose oil and rose petals, contain several powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. It is also believed to possess lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects that are very beneficial for the skin cells. Rosewater also provides firmness and bounce to the skin.

How good is rose water as a toner?

Toner is used after cleansing your face to eliminate any excess dirt/grime that your cleanser might have missed. In certain Asian beauty routines, toners are meant to look like a certain amount of hydration. This helps your serums and moisturisers to absorb well into the deeper layers of the skin.

Most toners and astringents are filled with alcohol that strips the skin of its natural oils and makes your face look dry and dull. Alcohol is used widely because it helps balance the skin's pH by absorbing fat and thus controlling shine on oily skin. However, recent studies have proved that alcohol dehydrates the skin surface, which triggers the skin to produce more oils to compensate for the loss.

On the other hand, rose water is indeed a natural toner. Made by steam distillation, pure rosewater thoroughly cleanses and balances your skin's pH level. As a result, Rosewater toners gently hydrate and clean, a boon for people with sensitive skin. It also helps to keep blackheads, whiteheads, acne and pimples at bay, thus lending you a flawless skin texture. check out our ultimate guide for using skin toners.

Here's how to make your rosewater

If you are still not convinced to buy one yet, how about we tell you a recipe to make your own so that you can see the benefits first hand? Buckle up, and it's a lengthy process!

• First, keep some fresh rose petals in a container and fill up with distilled water just enough to cover the petals. Too much water can dilute the rose water, and it's not as effective.
• Heat this mixture on a low flame and bring it to a boil.
• Once it is boiling, turn the heat off and let it cool. Do not remove the lid.
• As soon as the concoction reaches room temperature, strain out the rose petals.
• Pour the freshly squeezed rose water into a spray bottle, and voila! You have got your Gulab Jal!.

Now, some of you must be thinking, why would I go through such trouble if I order one! Well, we have got you covered. You can now buy the best rose waters in India all under one roof at Purplle.

Here are some of our recommendations:

1. Alps Goodness Rose Water

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5

Net Volume: 200ml

Suffering from clogged pores and dehydrated skin? Use this gentle, alcohol-free rose water to soothe your skin. Perfectly suitable for all skin types, you can also mix this rose water with your DIY face masks for better results.

Explore: Best selling Toners by Alps Goodness
 

2. TNW The Natural Wash Steam Distilled Rose Water

Customer Rating: 4.6 / 5

Net Volume: 200ml

Sourced by steam distillation, this fresh rose water removes makeup and impurities efficiently and evens out your skin tone. Especially oily-skinned beauties will love this since it helps to unclog your pores and maintain the skin's natural pH balance.

Explore: Top rated TNW Toners
 

3. VLCC Rose Water Toner

Customer Rating: 4.2 / 5

Net Volume: 100ml

Whether you have a combination of sensitive skin, you can go for this one without any worries! Are you suffering from acne and large pores? Then this is the perfect rose water for you! It hydrates the skin and minimises your pores, thus making your skin appear brighter.

Explore: Amazing Vlcc Products
 

4. MamaEarth Rose Water Face Toner

Customer Rating: 4.4 / 5

Net Volume: 200ml

Infused with the goodness of aloe vera, witch hazel extracts and cucumber, this rose water gently hydrates and soothes damaged skin and minimises pores. Aloe vera and cucumber extracts provide a cooling sensation to the skin and are perfect for oily and sensitive skin. Other plus points are that it is free from parabens, alcohol and sulphates, which are very harmful to the skin.

Explore: Top selling Toners By Mamaearth
 

5. Blue Heaven Rose water

Customer rating: 4.3 / 5

Net volume: 125ml

This rose water's mild and non-greasy formula is perfect for getting rid of the extra shine on oily skin. Enriched with the goodness of pure rose extracts, this alcohol-free hydrating face toner is suitable for all skin types.

Explore: Great Toners by IBA
 

Things to Remember

Rose water has been generally known to be harmless without any side effects. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Some people might be allergic to the fragrance of a rose or might even have an allergic reaction to a rose water toner. That's why it is always advisable to conduct a patch test before buying.
• Unknown sensitivity to rose water can result in several symptoms like a burning and stinging sensation on the skin. Your skin can feel irritated, and redness might develop.
• If you have very sensitive skin, it is recommended to use rose water infused with calming agents like aloe vera, green tea or cucumber.

If you see any reaction, stop using the product immediately and seek professional advice.

Wrapping up

There are very few beauty products that are as versatile as the quintessential rose water. Apply it directly as a toner or put a few drops into your face masks-there are countless options to include this Asian beauty ingredient into your skincare regime. So, give your skin a break from chemicals and treat yourself to the goodness of this decade-old skincare practice. Purplle has a variety of budget friendly mists and tones of rose waters toners to choose from. So, take your pick and get going!
 

Read More:
- 5 Alcohol-Free Toners For Moisturized Skin
- 7 Best Skin Toners In India For Ultimate Skincare