What Are Hydrosols?

Hydrosols - sometimes called floral waters or herbal waters - are gentle, aromatic waters produced during the steam distillation of plants. When essential oils are extracted, hydrosols are created as a natural by-product, containing the water-soluble compounds of the plant along with a subtle aroma.

Unlike essential oils, hydrosols are mild, water-based, and ready to use directly on the skin, making them ideal for everyday skincare routines.

What Are Hydrosols Used For?

Hydrosols are incredibly versatile and can be used in several ways:

• As a facial toner to refresh and rebalance the skin
• As a calming face mist throughout the day
• To soothe irritated, sensitive, or stressed skin
• As a gentle cleanser or makeup prep
• For aromatherapeutic benefits such as relaxation or invigoration

Because they are so mild, hydrosols are suitable for frequent use and for people who find essential oils too strong.

What Do Hydrosols Do for the Skin?

Hydrosols help support the skin’s natural balance without stripping or overwhelming it. Depending on the plant used, they can:

• Hydrate and lightly moisturise
• Calm redness and irritation
• Help rebalance oily or blemish-prone skin
• Soothe sensitive or reactive skin
• Refresh tired or dull complexions

They work particularly well after cleansing, helping to prepare the skin for serums and moisturisers.

Which Hydrosol Is Best for the Face?

The best hydrosol for your face depends on your skin type and what you want to achieve:

• Rose Hydrosol – deeply soothing and hydrating, ideal for dry, sensitive, or mature skin
• Lavender Hydrosol – balancing and calming, suitable for most skin types including blemish-prone
• Geranium Hydrosol – helps regulate oil production and improve skin tone
• Chamomile Hydrosol – extremely gentle and calming, perfect for sensitive or reactive skin
• Peppermint Hydrosol – refreshing and cooling, great for oily or tired skin
• Orange Hydrosol – uplifting and brightening, ideal for dull or congested skin

Many people enjoy rotating hydrosols depending on season, mood, or skin condition.

Can You Drink Hydrosols?

Some food-grade hydrosols are traditionally used internally, but not all hydrosols are intended for consumption. Skincare hydrosols should only be used externally unless clearly labelled as safe for internal use by the manufacturer.

When in doubt, hydrosols are best enjoyed on the skin or as aromatic mists.

Are Hydrosols the Same as Essential Oils?

No - hydrosols and essential oils are very different.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and oil-based, while hydrosols are water-based and contain only trace amounts of essential oil components. This makes hydrosols much gentler and safer for direct application to the skin, without dilution.

Think of hydrosols as the softer, more delicate counterpart to essential oils.

Discover Hydrosols at Cloud Beauty

At Cloud Beauty, we stock a carefully selected range of high-quality hydrosols, including Peppermint, Lavender, Geranium, Orange, Rose, and Chamomile. Each one offers unique skin-loving benefits and can be easily incorporated into your daily skincare routine.

Whether you’re looking to calm, refresh, balance, or hydrate your skin, hydrosols are a simple yet powerful addition to natural skincare.