Hydrolates, also known as hydrosols or floral waters, are a by-product of the steam distillation process used to extract essential oils from plant material. During the distillation process, steam is used to extract the volatile oils from the plant and the resulting steam is then cooled and condensed back to a liquid. From the water, the essential oil is separated, which is now referred to as a hydrolate.
The hydrolates contain the water-soluble components of the plant, including a small amount of essential oil, as well as other water-soluble compounds such as organic acids and plant acids. They have a milder aroma than essential oils and are less concentrated, making them safer and gentler on the skin.
Hydrolates are often used in aromatherapy and natural skin care as a less concentrated and cheaper alternative to essential oils. They can be used as skin toners, body sprays and in homemade skin care formulas. Some common examples of hydrolates include rose water, lavender water, and chamomile water.
The most popular floral waters:
- Rose water: pure and organic rose water helps to tone, soften and soothe the skin, restoring its beauty and restoring its naturally fresh, youthful appearance. By delivering a healthy dose of hydration and essential micronutrients, it promotes a more radiant complexion.
- Lavender water: has therapeutic and purifying properties, cleanses, soothes and tones the skin, balances and harmonises reddened skin, stimulates digestion and is antiseptic.
- Chamomile water: organic chamomile flower water has a very pleasant, fresh and lemony scent that uplifts the spirit and the mind. The floral water will energize your tired skin, making it look healthier and more radiant. You don't have to worry about your troubled skin either, as chamomile has naturally anti-inflammatory properties and helps fight skin irritation. You can use chamomile water not only on your skin, but also all over your body and even on your hair!
There are several companies that offer hydrolates but we recommend companies that know 100% where the herbs for making hydrolates come from and they are:
Alteyaorganics a Bulgarian company that grows their own herbs for making hydrolats and uses mineral water from the village of Jagoda to make these wonderful products.
Venoc our own brand where we take great care where the herbs come from and that the distillation of the waters takes place directly on the day of harvesting, this way our hydrolates preserve a large proportion of essential oils and have the highest quality on our market.
It is important to note that although hydrolats are generally safe to use, they can still cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. It is always recommended to perform a patch test before using any new product on the skin.
