You've probably heard of essential oils and their many benefits. But are you familiar with their equally interesting aqueous counterpart: hydrolats? These floral waters, with their unsuspected virtues, deserve to be better known. Find out all you need to know about these natural wonders!
A hydrolat, also known as floral water (when derived from flowers) or hydrosol, is the co-product of the distillation of aromatic plants. During this process, water vapor passes through the plants, is loaded with aromatic compounds and then cooled. Two phases are then obtained:
● A light oily phase: the essential oil, highly concentrated in aromatic molecules.
● An aqueous phase: the hydrolat, water loaded with the plant's water-soluble compounds.
The hydrolat therefore contains a small quantity of the essential oil's aromatic molecules (0.05 to 0.1%), giving it a potency equivalent to a hundred herbal teas from the same plant. It also contains other water-soluble active ingredients with interesting properties, such as minerals and trace elements.
Unlike oils, which do not mix with water, hydrolats are miscible with water. In a way, they are the "aqueous alter ego" of essential oils.
What are the main differences between hydrolats and essential oils? Hydrolats have a gentler, gradual, risk-free action. They can be used pure, without prior dilution. Some can even be drunk, which is rarely the case with essential oils.
Their gentleness means they can be used by everyone, including sensitive skin, pregnant women and children, who need to be very careful with essential oils. Hydrosols therefore offer a wide choice of safe, everyday uses.
As with essential oils, it's important to know how to recognize the quality criteria of a hydrolat, so you can benefit from all its properties.
When making your purchase, be sure to:
- Only choose hydrosols from organic plants;
- Buy hydrolats that have been preserved or, if preservative-free, stored in a cool place;
- Avoid hydrolats that are only produced for this extract, and not with essential oils, such as Hammamelis or Cornflower; the risk of spoilage is higher.
You should also take care to source your hydrolats from reputable suppliers, to avoid products falsely called hydrolats or floral waters, which are in fact water with added drops of essential oils, perfumes, dispersants and/or solvents.
Hydrolats can be used in a multitude of ways on a daily basis, to take care of yourself from head to toe. Here are a few ideas:
● As a toner or make-up remover, to be applied morning and evening on a cotton pad.
● As a mist, to moisturize and refresh the skin during the day
● As a mask, by soaking compresses and placing them on the face for a few minutes
● As a hair care product, as a final rinse or as a styling spray.
● Orally, diluted in water (1 to 2 tablespoons per liter) as a draining, soothing cure...
● As compresses, on tired eyes, bruises, insect bites ...
● In local baths (hands, feet) or added to bath water
● As a gargle or mouthwash (Laurier noble - Laurus nobilis -, Peppermint - Mentha x piperita - ...)
● To perfume linen, add a few drops to ironing water.
● As a room or linen spray, pure or diluted in water
● In the household, as a multi-purpose cleaner with sanitizing properties.
● To subtly perfume and flavor your preparations by adding a few teaspoons of hydrosol to your smoothies, cocktails, sorbets, fruit salads... for an original, healthy touch.
● Use them in your sauces, vinaigrettes or simmered dishes at the end of cooking to add a delicate aromatic note while enjoying their digestive benefits.
● The most popular hydrolats for cooking are Orange Blossom(Citrus aurantium var. amara), Rose(Rosa x damascena), Basil(Ocimum basilicum), Savory(Satureja montana) and Verbena(Lippia citriodora).
Hydrolats are easy to use and can be integrated into a natural beauty and well-being routine. But be sure to choose quality hydrosols that are 100% pure and natural, preferably organic.
As for storage, hydrolats can be kept for 1 to 2 years, as opposed to several years for essential oils. Remember to store them in a cool place, away from light and heat. At the slightest doubt (suspicious odor, deposit...), throw them away without hesitation.
There is a wide variety of hydrolats, each with specific properties depending on the plant distilled. Here are a few examples for use in cosmetics:
● Hydrolats for combination to oily skin: Peppermint(Mentha x piperita), Fine lavender(Lavandula angustifolia), Tea tree(Melaleuca alternifolia), Geranium(Pelargonium graveolens) ... They help purify, purify, mattify and tighten pores.
● Hydrolats for dry, sensitive skin: Roman chamomile(Anthemis nobilis), rose(Rosa x damascena), orange blossom(Citrus aurantium var. amara) ... They help soothe, soften and moisturize delicate skin.
● Hydrolats with soothing properties: Orange blossom(Citrus aurantium var. amara), Roman chamomile(Anthemis nobilis), Lemon balm(Melissa officinalis), Fine lavender(Lavandula angustifolia), ... They calm razor burn, sunburn and itching.
● Purifying and purifying hydrolats: Tea tree(Melaleuca alternifolia), Laurier noble(Laurus nobilis), Rosemary verbenone(Rosmarinus officinalis verbenoniferum), ... They disinfect and combat bacteria and fungi.
● Hydrolats with tonic and stimulating properties: Basil(Ocimum basilicum), Cinnamon(Cinnamomum verum), Rosemary verbenone(Rosmarinus officinalis verbenoniferum), Balsam Fir(Abies balsamea) ... They tone, stimulate and revitalize.
Each hydrosol has its own unique profile. It's a good idea to choose them according to your skin type and needs. Don't hesitate to combine several to benefit from a synergy of active ingredients.
Feel like getting started? Here are 3 express, easy-to-make recipes using your favorite hydrosols:
● 50 ml Roman chamomile hydrosol (soothing, make-up remover)
● 50 ml Rose hydrosol (softening, regenerating)
=> Mix the 2 hydrosols in a clean bottle. Shake before each use. Apply to a cotton pad morning and evening. Use within a few weeks or store in a cool place. Suitable for all skin types.
● 1 tablespoon surfine green clay
● 2 tablespoons Roman chamomile hydrosol (soothing, softening)
● 1 tablespoon Fine Lavender hydrolate (soothing, refreshing, healing)
=> Mix the clay and hydrosols in a bowl until you have a smooth paste. Apply a thick layer to clean skin, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with clean water. Ideal for sensitive skin.
● 50 ml fine lavender hydrosol (soothing, relaxing)
● 30 ml orange blossom hydrosol (calming, soothing)
● 20 ml 40° alcohol (vodka, gin...)
=> Pour all ingredients into a 100 ml spray bottle. Shake before each use. Spray on pillow and sheets before bedtime to promote peaceful sleep.
As you can see, hydrolats are real treasures of nature, with uses as varied as they are beneficial. Easy to use and safe, they bring a new dimension to natural skincare.
● They are the aqueous co-products of the distillation of aromatic plants, rich in water-soluble active ingredients.
● They have a gentler action than essential oils, and can be used by everyone without risk
● Each hydrolat has unique properties, to be chosen according to your needs
● They can be used in many ways: cosmetics, cooking, well-being, home care...
● Easy to integrate into everyday life, they can be kept for around 1 to 2 years in a cool place.
So, ready to adopt these precious floral waters into your routine? Fill up on hydrolats and let your creativity flow to use them every day, for beauty and well-being. Your skin and body will thank you!