Poet Wilder has described the
rose water and its uses in these lines, thus:
“The Rose distills a healing balm,
The beating pulse of pain to calm.”
Rose water is a distillate or a liquid product obtained from
rose petals through distillation. It is a by-product of the production of rose oil used to make perfume. It is made classically with the use of multi-petal and fragrant damask roses that are widely available in Middle Eastern countries where pure rose water is largely produced. Aside from perfumes, rose water is also as used as a component of some cosmetics and medical preparations. Because of its distinctive flavor, it is used heavily in Iranian foods, and added to ice cream, tea, cookies and other sweets. In Western Europe, it is sometimes used as a flavour for scallop-shape French sponge cake. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is mixed with milk and sugar and pink food color in making a sweet drink. In the Arab world and India, it is used to flavour milk and dairy-based dishes.
As a perfume, it is used in religious rites by both Muslims and Zorastrians. As an ointment, it is used as emollient or soothing element. For skin care, it is used as a skin toner to (a) remove all cleansing preparations from the skin, (b) freshen and tone up the skin to prepare it for the application of make-up, (c) restore the acid balance of the skin, (d) penetrate skin pores to remove excess oil and impurities that were not otherwise removed by cleansers, and (e) be a polishing touch to the whole skin care process. In most Western countries, rose water is used to add fragrance to body and facial creams, and in cosmetics for its lovely scent and gentle astringent properties. The makers of rose water in Bulgaria boast of a 100% pure rose water and its many skin care uses such as treatment of acne and skin irritations. The Bulgarian rose water is also said to have anti-aging and rejuvenating properties and, when added to bathing water, moisturize one’s body after bath. Side by side with these uses, the rose water also cleanses all skin types while providing cooling effect for sunburns and acne. Generally however, the pure
rose water in cream is said to restore and maintain the skin’s alkali or pH balance and ward off several types of dermatitis. As a cleanser, it decreases wrinkles and fine lines, and as a toner, tightens and hydrates and skin while preventing it from various skin problems.
Perfumes using rose water and rose oil as the main ingredient are sold in many parts of the world in such names as Brilliant, Flower, White Linen Breeze, Gloria, Classique, Chic, Green Tea, Lauren, Coco, Y by Yves Saint Laurent, Faberge, Ultraviolet, Silences and Addict. The cosmetics that use rose oil with anti-inflammatory properties and that provide refreshing, moisturizing and rejuvenating effects on the skin are in various product forms. These include creams, ointments, lotions, toiletry, hair care line, and soaps. To have the benefits of using
rose water on face, you may want to follow certain tips. One is put two or three drops of the product on a cotton ball to wipe your face after a day’s hectic schedule. This will refresh your skin and remove some dust and dirt that may have adhered to you throughout the day.
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