How to Make Rose Water Spray for Skin and Hair: Recipe and Easy Instructions

flat lay fresh pink roses and petals with reusable brown glass bottle spray

Treehugger / Sanja Kostic

Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 day
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5-10

Rose water (or rosa damascena) has become a ubiquitous beauty favorite over the past few years, but this staple has been used in skin and hair care regimens for centuries around the globe. The ingredient, which hails from Iran, has been cultivated since the 7th century A.D. for its essential oils.

As its name suggests, rose water comes from two natural ingredients—roses and water. The result is a refreshing solution that feels great on irritated skin and scalp. And in addition to its fragrance and relaxation benefits, rose water has also been found to help prevent dandruff and moisturize hair.

How to Use Rose Water in Your Beauty Routine

A few sprays of rose water can easily enhance your natural beauty routine. Its potential is virtually limitless, but here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Replace your toner with rose water
  • Freshen up your makeup throughout the day
  • Spray on your hair after your regular shampoo and conditioner
  • Use it instead of water in homemade facial masks
  • Calm razor burn
  • Hydrate dry skin
  • Relieve facial redness

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

  • Lidded glass jar (large enough to fit several cups of liquid)
  • Small saucepan
  • Small colander or strainer
  • Small bowl
  • Small glass spray bottle

Ingredients

  • Fresh petals from 3-4 organic roses
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

When it comes to homemade face mists, there are many different options to choose from, ranging from coconut and aloe to apple cider vinegar concoctions. But if you’re looking for a multi-purpose spray that can help soothe skin irritation, reduce under-eye bags, or cut down on oily hair, rose water is the ingredient for you.

  1. Prepare Your Rose Petals

    Top view of Rose petals kept in a Glass jar with added Sugar for a Recipe called Gulkand.
    Uma Shankar sharma / Getty Images

    Rinse your rose petals and place them inside your glass jar.

    You can use any type of rose you prefer, but ideally, it should be organic to avoid all the harmful chemicals applied to commercial flowers.

  2. Heat Water

    Pour your water into the saucepan and heat until lightly boiling.

    Add the boiling water to the jar and close the lid.

  3. Mix Ingredients

    After the contents have cooled, gently invert the jar several times to mix petals. Leave the closed jar sitting upright overnight.

  4. Run Through a Colander

    Open the jar and pour contents into a colander over a small bowl.

    Squeeze any remaining liquid out of rose petals and into the bowl. Add leftover rose petals to your compost bin.

  5. Prepare Your Spray Bottle

    Transfer the rose water from your bowl to your spray bottle. 

    Spritz onto skin and hair as desired for a refreshing and hydrating reset.

Variations

Calming Lavender Spray

For an even more calming and aromatic take on traditional rose water spray, add a lavender twist. Simply add about five drops of lavender essential oil to your rose water and apply as you normally would.

Cooling Peppermint Mist

If you’d rather make your rose water spray a bit more invigorating, add five drops of peppermint oil. This makes for a great summer essential to throw in your bag when you’re on the go and need a quick cool-down.

Treehugger Tip

If you enjoy gardening, consider growing your own roses for an unlimited supply of petals that will also beautify your yard. You’ll be able to ensure that your roses are grown organically, without any harmful chemicals that could irritate your skin. Check out these easy-to-grow varieties to get started.

View Article Sources
  1. Boskabady, Mohammad Hossein et al. "Pharmacological Effects Of Rosa Damascena." Iranian journal of basic medical sciences vol. 14,4 (2011): 295-307.

View Article Sources
  1. Boskabady, Mohammad Hossein et al. "Pharmacological Effects Of Rosa Damascena." Iranian journal of basic medical sciences vol. 14,4 (2011): 295-307.