A hydrosol is an aromatic water obtained after distillation of a natural raw material (for flowers, we then speak of “floral water”). This is the residual water obtained after separating it from the product of distillation (the essential oil). It is much less concentrated in active ingredients (between 0.02% and 0.20%) than essential oils.

How do we obtain hydrosol?

It is one of the two products obtained during steam distillation. During this, the volatile compounds of the plant are carried by the water vapor to the condenser.

The essential oil, which is in the vast majority of cases lighter than water, floats on its surface in the “essence”. The water it covers is called “floral water” in the case of flower distillation, “hydrosols” or aromatic distilled water for other parts of the plant.

It may be noted that there are rare cases where the essential oil is heavier than water (e.g. clove).

To be of good quality, the hydrosols must be obtained during the first half hour of distillation. The hydrosol is very weakly concentrated in aromatic components, between 0.5% and 0.1%, and therefore much less active than the essential oil.

How to use aromatic hydrosols?

• In cosmetics: “Hydrosols are used ascleansing and toning lotions for the face. They are also refreshing when applied to the body and can serve as base ingredients to make “homemade” cosmetics.
• In cooking: hydrosols can be consumed in a dish, a hot or cold drink to flavor them, or to personalize a cocktail.
• In hydrolatherapy: “This is the gentle version of aromatherapy. Each hydrosol has virtues similar to the corresponding essential oil, but their use is more simple, especially for children, thanks to their low concentration of active molecules

Which aromatic hydrosol to choose for what benefits?

Among the most common, easy-to-use hydrosols:

→ Thechamomile hydrosol  is both soothing and tonic forsensitive, dry or irritated skin (on face morning and evening before applying treatment creams). It is alsoanti-inflammatory and painkiller in case of skin allergy“sprayed on the affected area, or after a sunburn.

→ Lavender hydrosolis soothing, skin healing, light antiseptic, light anti-inflammatory, light anesthetic, for these reasons, it is ideal for use in makeup remover water for oily and/or irritated skin, to clean a wound, or as a compress on a sunburn. Finally, fine lavender hydrosol is relaxing, anti-stress and sleep inducer

→ Bitter orange blossom hydrosol is soothing,sedative nervous, antidepressant, sleep inducer, heart rate balancer. “It can be usedin times of insomnia, fear.Orange blossom hydrosol is also askin regenerator and anti-wrinkle,it can be used as water cleansing spray on the face.”