Hydrosols/Floral Waters?

[daviine]

Does anyone use this for skin care (or even haircare)? Do you have a reputable company that you buy yourr hydrosols from? I am planning on making a toner for my skin but don't really want to order from just anywhere.......

Thanks....

[canuck]

dear davine,
yes, i do use floral waters. Since i have dry skin i use either orange flower or rose water. FOr oily skins ppl do recommend melissa, peppermint or limeflower water combined with witch hazel.

Unfortunately, i am based in the uk, so i really cant recommend. I do know that alot of the hairboards do quote www.fromnaturewithlove.com (http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com) or makeyourcosmetics.com

HTH

[daviine]

I wonder what happened to my post to you? Oh well /forums/images/graemlins/ohwell.gif

What I said was that I plan on using rosewater as a toner and that I have an itch to mix it with orange flower water. Ithink I have heard conflicting references on the use of orange flower water being for dry skin and oily skin but I'm not surprised by that. I think I even remember reading that orange flower water was aphrodisiac in nature.....

Thank you for recommending FNWL---My bf lives close to them so I used to order from them often. I have a few osurces in mind...I hope to make up my mind and order soon!!!!

Is aromatherapy as popular as I think it is in the UK? I imagine that you don't have to order online for things such as hydrosols and that they are readily available locally. Is this true?

Thanks again for replying......daviine

[canuck]

dear davine

trust me, orange water is very gentle on the skin. I have tried both rose and orange flower water and none of them stings my skin.

In the uk there is a strong soap and home cosmetics tradition, also coupled with the fact that you have 'ye old aromatherapies' around the place, it is fairly easy to get stuff from local health shops. Not to mention university courses in aromatherapy and other alternative practices.

I use the waters that they use for baking.

As much as the uk is prolly ahead of the states in aromatherapy, france is leaps and bounds ahead of us. They have loads of products like caudalie, dermalogica and such and do import oils (like monoi) that they sell in their country.

We do order stuff online in the uk. In my searches i've come across loads of sites here.

I think that rose water, peppermint water (if you can get the hydrosol) and witch hazel would be good, as it would tone and balance your skin at the same time. Or if not peppermint, you could do tea tree or lavender hydrosols.

right.
hope this helps

love your picture of sean paul though... dutty yeeahh! dutty cup!!!

[lala]

Daviine,

I PM'd you, but I also use the rosemary hydrosol in my ACV rinses. I use it on my face, but I always dilute it with distilled water, it’s potent by itself. I've used the orange blossom and rose hydrosols. I've heard that the floral waters are just essential oils mixed w/distilled water so I've not invested in those. I've read that they are not as beneficial as the hydrosols. I have some skin care recipes in some of my aromatherapy books for making your own cosmetics. They recommend orange blossom hydrosol for dry skin. I’ve also made some toners (KEEP REFIGERATED):

2 ozs. Aloe vera gel
2 ozs. Orange blossom water
1 tsp. calendula infused vinegar (made by steeping the herbs in vinegar for approx. 2 wks.)
5 drops of helichrysum or neroli essential oil (a bit pricey, so you can probably substitute)
800 IUs vitamin E

[daviine]

Are the aromatherpay courses in the UK expensive? Here they seem to be expensive (for someone who just wants just a little more knowledge than a book can offer but not looking to be certified).

I didn't know France was so ahead of you guys. I thought the UK was the leader in aromatherapy.

I htohgt of using witch hazel for its astringent properties but didn't want ot get the kind purchased in the store--not sure yet though. I probably won't try it in my first batch unless I come across a company that offers samples.

I also considered lavender but I am lavendered out!!!

Thanks for the info!

[daviine]

I am seriously considering purchasing the rosemary hydrosol on my hair combined with rosemary oil to use as a daily spritzer. I haven't decided if I am going to do it yet though.

I would love to try the recipe that you shared but I just can't see myself running back and forth to the refrigerator to tone. This would greatly deter me from toning my face. I'm bad enough at it without running to the refrigeraor /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

Is the refrigeration required for storage purposes and you only keep out enough to use in a certain period of time (a week for example) or does the entire solution have to be kept refrigerated at all times except when applying?

I am avoiding ingredients that need to be refrigerated. However, now that I think about it, I don't know much about the stability and shelf life of hydrosols.

I am planning on making an herbal-infused vinegar for my ACV rinses. I am serously considering adding rosemary hydrosol in addition to some essential oils to the rinse.

I also thought of adding acv to my toner but am wavering back and forth on the decision. Using calendua-infused vinegar sounds even better though! When I do my ACV rinses, I don't rinse the ACV off of my face since I've read so many good things about ACV and its effect on your skin (acid mantle--whatever that is /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Perhaps I'll make a toner with and without ACV to see which I prefer.

[canuck]

well, you could put some grapefruit seed extract in your hydrosols to keep them from going off. I know that LUSH (a natural company here) uses food grade preservates (methlparaben being one) to keep their waters from going off. Other companies here add citric acid or stearic acid to their waters as well.

Another thing is that you should not really keep hydrosols in the bathroom, since the fluctuating temperatures (hot showers and all that) do affect the quality. You could keep them in your room by your night table, so you use them in bed.

Well, you can do little courses here and there for alternative medicene, and it does not cost so much money (providing that you have lived here for 3 years or more).

Rosemary hydrosols for hair, ehhh....? /forums/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif hmmmm der idea!

well, for your vineagar toner, you could steep the calendula and other herbs, and then decant it into a spray bottle. Wet your face, spritz a little of it, and then rub.

HTH!

[lala]

The company that I buy from always labels items when refrigeration is required. Some oils will go rancid if they are not refrigerated, even adding grapefruit seed extract can only keep things fresh for so long. I know it's a pain in the butt, running back and forth. Maybe you can find a cool place to store a couple days worth.

I usually mix my face wash blend to last for 4-5 days. I also add vitamin E (the t-50 kind) to all my oils and formulations to preserve them. Some of the vegetable oils have a short shelf life and it helps to extend them. I still refrigerate though b/c I have so many & they would go bad b/4 I get a chance to use them all.

I use the rosemary hydrosol in my ACV rinses. I infuse herbs in distilled water and then add herbal vinegar, rosemary hydrosol and essential oils. My scalp feels so refreshed afterwards. I've never taken any classes. I've just read a lot of books. And I have read them over and over again until it starts making sense /forums/images/graemlins/spinning.gif. I've made lotions for the body and hair, toners, body scrubs, herbal vinegars, infused oils, etc. They all turned out pretty good. Since I have sensitive skin it pays to know how to blend up your own stuff.

Herbal vinegars are good as toners. Elderflower, calendula and rosemary are good herbs to use. In my book it says that all toners should be diluted in water (distilled), aloe or a hydrosol. Use a maximum of 1 tbsp. vinegar per ½ cup water, or less vinegar for sensitive skin. You can also infuse the herbs in store-bought witch hazel.

[Lovelylocs]

What are the benefits of hydrosols?

[sweetascocoa]

i buy my rose hydrosol from mountainroseherbs.com. its basically rosewater without any additives or anything. and rosewater is very moisturising. you can go to the website and read up on the benefits of hydrosols. HTH

[StrawberryQueen]

b u m p i n g :look:

[Divine Inspiration]

I use floral waters/hydrodols before and after flying and after at-home facials.