Rosewater and toner are two commonly misplaced skincare products. And this is because they seem to do the same thing for your skin. Moreover, they look very much alike. But it is a comparison worth looking into.
Rosewater is a natural scented toner gotten from the distilled petals of the Damask rose, Rosa damascena. More than toning your skin rose water does a lot more like using its scent as a form of therapy.
While there are similarities between rosewater and toners, there are some things that differentiate rosewater from toner. Continue scrolling to see more.
What Does Toner Do for Skin?
Toners fill in the extra cleansing step in your skincare routine. It removes residues of oil, dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells, prepping your skin for other steps in your routine.
Also, it helps to balance your skin’s pH, minimize pores and boost your skin’s protection. If pores aren’t so prominent and open to the penetration of irritants, your skin will be protected from irritations and breakouts.
These functions synergize to improve the overall appearance and texture of your skin. Toner contains ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs & BHAs), chamomile, aloe, glycerin, and rose water.
Is Rosewater a Good Toner?
Rosewater is a natural toner that benefits both the skin and hair. It has some functions that are similar to that of toners and other functions are the differences between both products.
Rosewater has a pH of 5.5 which helps to balance your skin’s pH and reduce the risks of acne breakouts. Just like toners, it deep cleanses your skin, penetrating your pores and getting rid of excess oil and dead skin cells buildup.
This natural toner works just like toners but can do even more in your beauty regimen. But unlike a toner, rosewater is purely natural and has no side effects on your skin or hair. Rosewater works its pores unclogging benefits without alcohol.
What Does Rosewater Do?
Rosewater has a lot of beauty benefits as a toner, and they are all targeted at improving the appearance and texture of your skin and hair. The benefits of using rosewater in your beauty regimen are listed below:
Cleanser
Rosewater is a cleanser and a toner. It double cleanses your skin to remove stubborn residues of oil, makeup, dirt, and grime. This way it prepares your skin as a clean canvas to receive other products down your routine.
Hydration boost
Rosewater is very hydrating for both skin and hair. It moisturizes your skin and hair and adds gives you a natural glow.
Unlike toners that contain alcohol and other chemicals that can cause your skin to dry out, rosewater replenishes hydration levels which can help to improve your natural barrier.
Sebum regulation
Steady moisture levels help to regulate oil production. When your skin is properly moisturized, it does not overproduce oil. Regular oil levels equal blemish-free skin. Moreover, it cuts down excess shine.
Using rosewater daily as part of your skincare routine will regulate sebum production and give your face a dewy finish.
Optimum protection
Rosewater contains antioxidants that help to protect your skin from environmental aggressors. These aggressors can trigger the formation of oxidative stress which can lead to acne breakouts and premature aging.
In addition, rosewater protects your skin from irritants and bacteria that can lead to infections. And these infections can disrupt the function of your natural barrier and distort the texture and complexion of your skin.
Healing balm
Rosewater has antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties which synergize with the antioxidants to facilitate wound healing. Also, it helps to reduce skin redness which may be due to bites from insects or inflamed acne.
Furthermore, when ingested, rosewater helps to clear nasal congestion and sore throat. This is one benefit that makes rosewater different from toner. Rosewater is also helpful in treating razor burns that may happen during shaving.
Balance skin pH
Like a toner, rosewater can balance your skin’s pH. It has a pH value that restores your skin to its acidic state. By balancing skin pH, your skin’s natural barrier and immune factors are optimized to be self-defensive against the penetration of irritants.
A balanced pH inhibits the growth of bacteria and keeps your skin from getting flaky or red.
Anti-aging ingredient
Rosewater is rich in vitamins C and A which are essential ingredients in any anti-aging routine. They help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins that promote skin elasticity.
These vitamins do this by inhibiting the synthesis of enzymes that would naturally degrade these proteins. More so, by keeping moisture levels steady, rosewater prevents the formation of fine lines and facial wrinkles.
Soothes your skin
Sensitive skin and eczema skin are naturally easily irritated by some skincare products. But rosewater is one of the products that is an exemption to this. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to calm your skin and prevent future or worsened breakouts.
Reduce eye puffiness
Misted or chilled rosewater perfectly calms the skin around your eyes and helps to banish dark patches that come with a fatigued eye. Rosewater does not contain alcohol or chemicals, so, you can safely use it around your eyes.
Antidepressant
A study shows that inhaling rose petals in rosewater can calm your nerves and help treat depression. It can also be ingested to treat issues like headaches, migraine, insomnia, and grief among many others.
Hair treatment
Besides skin issues, rosewater is also beneficial for hair care and every hair type can use it. Rosewater moisturizes the scalp and prevents and treats dandruff. You can also use it to dilute your shampoo and conditioner before washing your hair.
Can You Use Rosewater Instead of Toner?
Yes, you can. In place of a face toner, you can use rosewater and still reap all the benefits of toning your skin.
Rosewater can fill in the role of a cleanser, pore refiner, and soothing balm for inflamed and sensitive skin types. Moreover, it opens your skin up to receive the active ingredients in other skincare products down your routine.
Additionally, misted rosewater is very handy on the go. You can use it the same way you use a misted toner for midday touchups.
Can You Use Replace Moisturizer With Rosewater?
The hydrating benefit of rosewater makes it a good moisturizer. However, it cannot replace a moisturizer. To start with, they are two different products that serve two distinct purposes in any skincare routine.
Rosewater is a liquid-based product, and a moisturizer that contains both water and oil. Also, rosewater cleanses and preps your skin while moisturizer is an occlusive that helps to keep moisture trapped in.
Whether you use rosewater or not, your skin needs a moisturizer to seal in moisture, the ingredients of other products, and to improve your natural barrier.
How to Use Rosewater
1. For skin whitening
You can make a gentle skin whitening scrub by mixing rosewater with kitchen ingredients like oat and honey. This scrub will mildly exfoliate your skin and make it glow.
- Grind the oats into powder but it should not be too fine
- To the ground oats, add rosewater and a tablespoon of honey to make a thick paste
- Thereafter, apply this paste all over your face
- Use your fingers to gently scrub your face with the paste
- Do this for up to five minutes
- Then, rinse off the paste with clean, warm water
- After rinsing, moisturize your face with an appropriate face moisturizer
- Do this 2-3 times a week and see how your face glows
2. Undereye treatment
Your eyes may get puffy because of a lack of sleep, an ailment, or too frequent and prolonged exposure to UV rays. The skin around the eyes is very thin, these factors can cause swelling and discoloration around the undereye area.
Rosewater can soothe and hydrate this discolored skin area, improve its look and give you bright eyes. There are two ways to use rosewater for eye puffiness.
The first option is to mix rosewater with milk and dampen cotton pads with the solution. Place the wet pads on both eyes and leave them on for a few minutes. Do this regularly and you’ll see improvements in no time.
Another option is to dampen a cotton pad with chilled rosewater. Then, place the cotton pad over your eyes for up to 5 minutes.
The chilly feeling will refresh your undereye and ease off the tightness and heaviness you used to feel. You can repeat this every evening to get rid of puffy eyes.
3. Makeup remover
Rosewater is a more tolerable makeup remover, especially for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Other makeup removers usually contain alcohol, and this ingredient can dry out your skin and expose your skin to breakouts.
To use rosewater as a makeup remover, you need to dissolve some drops of carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil in it. The oil will make it easier to lift makeup (which is largely oil-based) off your face.
- Moisten a clean cotton ball with this solution and use it to wipe your face to remove makeup
- If the cotton ball gets soiled with makeup, dampen another
- Repeat until your face is clear of makeup, feels refreshed, and hydrated
4. Anti-dandruff treatment
Dandruff is characteristic of an excessively dry or oily, and itchy scalp. Rosewater can help stimulate blood circulation, regulate sebum production and treat scalp dandruff.
- Soak fenugreek seeds in rosewater and leave it overnight
- In the morning, mash it all into a paste and apply it to your scalp
- Afterward, leave it in for up to an hour
- Then, wash it off with an anti-dandruff, sulfate-free shampoo, and conditioner
- Also, you can dilute your shampoo with rosewater to moisturize your scalp and prevent dandruff
FAQs
Can you use rosewater on your face every day?
Yes, you can use rosewater every day. Using rosewater as a toner relieves facial skin from the harsh chemicals facial toners may contain. It is a more natural way of cleansing your face and controlling acne breakouts.
Use it as part of your morning and evening routine and midday touchups as you go about your daily activities or on a trip.
Can you use rosewater on your face after face wash?
Yes, you can. After washing your face with face soap, use rosewater to double cleanse your face of oil, makeup, grime, and soap residues. Moreover, it helps to balance your skin’s pH which may have been altered by the chemicals in the soap.
Is rosewater good for oily skin?
Yes, it is. People with oily skin can benefit from using rosewater as a toner. It helps to refine your pores and control sebum production. As it tackles oil production, it helps to control acne breakouts and the formation of dark spots.
Conclusion
Rosewater is a natural toner that suits every skin type. This toner is gotten from steamed rose petals and can be used for both skin and hair.
Beyond topical application, ingesting and inhaling rosewater is a good antidepressant and helps to clear nasal congestion. If you’re looking to cut down on the chemicals in your routine, you can replace your toner with rosewater.
Whatever your skincare routine is tailored to address, rosewater is completely safe to use and produces effective results.
Thanks for reading.
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