When the skin starts looking lifeless and tired due to dust, soil, strong sunlight and chemicals of modern cosmetics, we often wander in search of expensive serums and creams. But from the times of our grandmothers to the beauty of royal queens, one magical thing which has never lost its influence is pure rose water. This liquid, prepared by evaporation of fresh rose petals i.e. hydrosol distillation, is not just an aromatic water, but a complete natural medicine for the skin. Amidst the Indian climate and changing lifestyle, our skin faces pollution, toxins and UV rays of the sun daily. In such a situation, products containing chemicals weaken the protective barrier of the skin. Rose water, on the other hand, is completely gentle, non-sticky and full of natural properties, which works on all skin types—be it oily, dry or extremely sensitive—without causing any harm. This is why dermatologists and beauty experts around the world still recommend rose water as the most important first step in their basic skin care routine. From pH balance of the skin to deep hydration: Miraculous benefits of rose water. The biggest scientific and natural property of rose water is to maintain the natural pH level of the skin (pH Balance). When we wash our mouth with soap or harsh face washes, the skin's natural acidic coating gets disturbed, increasing the risk of bacteria and pimples. Rose water brings the pH of the skin back to a healthy level of around 5.5. The second most important benefit is its natural astringent properties. It gradually shrinks the open and large pores of the face, thereby controlling the production of excess sebum and oil and the face does not look oily throughout the day. Additionally, the powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial elements present in rose water instantly soothe the redness, irritation and swelling of acne. For those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis or sunburned skin, it works like a cooling ointment. Antioxidants are found in abundance in rose water, which fight free radicals and give new energy to the skin cells, thereby preventing the appearance of untimely fine lines and wrinkles on the face. 4 Easiest and Effective Ways to Include Rose Water in Your Skin Care Routine The most beautiful thing about rose water is that it can be easily incorporated into any skin care routine and does not require hours of time. As a natural toner: Spray pure rose water on your face immediately after face wash in the morning and night or apply by patting with a cotton pad. Let it air dry and then apply your moisturizer. It prepares the skin to absorb moisture deeply. Face pack with multani mitti: If your skin is oily or acne prone, make a paste by adding rose water to multani mitti or gram flour instead of plain water. It pulls out dirt and dead skin cells from the skin and brings instant glow to the face. Night Serum with Aloe Vera Gel: Before sleeping at night, mix a few drops of rose water in one spoon of pure aloe vera gel and massage gently on the face. It repairs skin cells throughout the night and in the morning your face looks fresh and plump. Refreshing Mist for the day: Whenever you feel tired due to office work, sitting in front of the screen or going out in the sun, spray your face with a rose water spray bottle kept in your purse or desk. It instantly removes the dullness of the skin and gives it a new glow. It is also wonderful in removing eye fatigue and dark circles. The use of rose water is not limited to just enhancing the glow of the face, but it is also no less than a boon for tired eyes. Due to laptops, mobiles and staying awake till late night, most of the people today have serious problems like irritation, dryness, puffiness i.e. swelling and dark circles in the eyes. In such a situation, dip two cotton pads thoroughly in cold rose water and place them on your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes and lie down comfortably. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of rose water soothe the nerves of the delicate skin around the eyes, rapidly reduce swelling and completely eliminate redness and irritation in the eyes. By adopting this simple process regularly, the dark circles under the eyes gradually become lighter and the face always looks lively and glowing even without any makeup. Necessary precautions while identifying and using real rose water: Among the countless brands available in the market, it is very important to understand that not every scented water is real rose water. In many cheap products in the market, artificial rose essence, alcohol and preservatives are mixed in water, which can cause harm to sensitive skin instead of benefiting it. Always buy rose water whose ingredients say 100% pure 'Steam Distilled Rose Water' (Rosa Damascena) and which does not contain any parabens, sulphates or perfumes. If you have fresh desi roses at home, you can also make the pure extract at home by boiling the petals in clean water and collecting its steam. Before using a new brand of rose water for the first time, do a patch test on the wrist or behind the ear so that any possible allergy can be detected beforehand. Once you make pure rose water a permanent part of your daily routine, your skin will automatically start glowing from within without any expensive chemical treatments.
