Less concentrated than essential oils, hydrosols are among the gentle treatments applied to the skin. They are derived from the steam distillation of organic plants or flowers and are valued for their soothing, regenerative, healing, or regulating properties. This treatment is suitable for all skin types.
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How to properly store your hydrosols?
Summary
Published July 12, 2021,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
5 min read
What is a hydrosol?
The hydrosol refers to the residual water obtained by steam distillation of an aromatic plant sourced from organic farming for the extraction of the corresponding essential oil. It is much less concentrated in aromatic molecules, between 0.1% and 0.5%, and therefore much less active than an essential oil. It's worth noting that the hydrosol is also referred to as floral water or hydrosol.
To obtain essential oil and hydrosol, parts of the plant (flowers, roots, leaves) are placed in a still. The volatile compounds of the plant are carried by steam to the condenser. This steam is then cooled, thus obtaining on one hand the essential oil and on the other hand water loaded with active molecules of the plant, namely the hydrosol. In the essencier, the two products are distinctly well separated: the essential oil, often lighter than water, floats on the surface, while the hydrosol, heavier, remains at the bottom of the container.
Hydrosols possess the same properties as essential oils. However, they are characterised by their gentleness and require almost no precautions for use. Indeed, they are excellent for soothing all skin problems and are suitable for sensitive skin, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, unlike essential oils which are largely prohibited for these groups..
Which hydrosol for which skin type?
In cosmetics, hydrosols are used as cleansing and toning lotions for the face. Depending on their origin and the active ingredients they contain, hydrosols are suitable for all skin types, are easy to use, and are safe. For dry skin, you can use orange blossom hydrosol or linden to gently tone it. Rosemary, bamboo, or witch hazel hydrosols are used to normalise excess sebum and reduce the visibility of enlarged pores in combination to oily skin, while tea tree, sage, or bay laurel hydrosols purify and eliminate visible imperfections on acne-prone skin. For the treatment of sensitive skin, you can opt for a lavender hydrosol or chamomile with soothing and softening properties. To care for mature skin and combat the signs of skin ageing, you can turn to toning and astringent hydrosols like the Damask rose hydrosol. When your skin lacks radiance, you can opt for lemon or geranium hydrosol to re-energise the skin and revitalise the complexion. To soothe and repair the skin after shaving, using peppermint hydrosol is a possibility. Against dark circles and bags, adopt the cornflower hydrosol to reactivate local circulation, deflate bags and reduce the bluish appearance of dark circles.
How to preserve a hydrosol?
Even though hydrosols share some similarities with essential oils, their preservation method is quite different. Indeed, hydrosols are more delicate. They are highly sensitive to light and heat, as well as oxidation and microbial infections. Being water-based, they promote bacterial proliferation. Therefore, they require more precautions, especially regarding their storage. To preserve the properties of hydrosols, it is important to keep them in a dry and cool place, away from heat, humidity and light. We therefore advise you to store them in the refrigerator, which combines both darkness and coolness. Moreover, this helps to limit bacterial growth. Also, prefer opaque glass containers to protect organic materials from degradation caused by UV rays. Before opening the bottle, hydrosols can be stored on average between 12 and 24 months after extraction. However, after opening, they should be used within the following 6 to 12 months . Nevertheless, if your hydrosol has an unpleasant smell due to the degradation of aromatic molecules by microorganisms, or deposits indicating contamination, it is then preferable not to use it and to discard it.
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