Rosewater has been used for centuries in the Middle East in their beauty and skin care routines, as well as an ingredient in their food and beverages. With hydrating, soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial powers, rosewater is the ultimate powerhouse. Keep scrolling for 10 surprisingly creative and easy ways to use rosewater.
1. Facial Toner
Its anti-inflammatory properties make rosewater a perfect natural solution for dry and red skin. You can purchase a rosewater toner in your local grocery store, or just add a tablespoon of rosewater to one cup of distilled water to make your own. If this is a new skin care routine for you, test out the rosewater on a small patch of skin before using it on a regular basis.
2. Fragrance
Rosewater smells exactly like fresh rose petals. Using rosewater as a fragrance is refreshing and up-lifting. This is perfect for those of you who are looking for a natural and light perfume.
3. Scented Bedsheets and Mattress
When I change my bedding, I always make sure to spray a couple mists of rosewater on both my mattress and my sheets. For a more floral scent, add three to four tablespoons to 1/2 cup of water. Add the mixture to a spray bottle. After a long day, I spray my sheets down with rosewater before getting into bed. For me, it's one of the best antidotes for stress.
4. Bathe in it
By adding a couple tablespoons of rosewater to a warm bath, you can indulge yourself in its floral scent and add anti-aging properties that your whole body can benefit from.
5. Hair Rinse
Revitalize your scalp by rinsing your hair with rosewater after you've shampooed. The rosewater moisturizes your scalp and removes impurities from your hair.
6. Soothe Razor Burn
Rosewater alleviates irritation caused by burns by soothing the skin.
7. Amplify Your Body Lotion
Add a half a teaspoon of rosewater to unscented lotion. By doing this, you are removing artificial ingredients and replacing them with a natural ingredient.
8. Smoothies
Rosewater pairs perfectly with almost any dairy product. It cuts the tartness of plain yogurt and adds a subtle, floral bite. I like to add it into my smoothies for its cleansing properties.
One of my favorite smoothie recipes that incorporates rose water is: 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh mango, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 1/2 tablespoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of rosewater, and 1/2 cup of ice. Blend all the ingredients together. Be careful not to add too much rosewater. It can be very overpowering.
9. Cakes and Cookies
In baking, a couple ingredients that compliment the floral taste of rosewater are lemons, raspberries, pistachios, and almonds. Switch up your traditional vanilla cupcake by icing it with a lemon and rosewater buttercream.
10. Cocktails
For a simple twist on an all time favorite cocktail of mine, I like to add rosewater to my gin an tonic. I finish it off by adding fresh strawberries and a squeeze of lime.