Refreshing and cleansing Rose Water Toner
Instructions on how to make rose water toner using fresh rose petals. Use directly on your skin as a natural toner or blend it with oils to create creams and lotions
Rose water has been used for generations as a natural yet gentle astringent. It helps to cleanse, tighten the skin and to reduce redness and inflammation. It’s also very sensitive and can be used on most skin types making it a great addition to creams and lotions.
True rose water is made by distillation so this recipe is technically an infusion. However, an infusion of rose petals can provide just as much skin loving therapy as some of the more expensive products. Rose absolute and rose floral water are beautiful skin therapeutic extracts but they can be pricey. This recipe will give you a sweetly scented natural skin toner that you can make yourself for practically nothing. All you need is rose petals and distilled water.
Homemade rose water is great for cleansing and tightening the skin
Which rose petals to use?
At the end of the process, rose water should smell faintly of roses. If you want even a little of the fragrance to remain then it’s best to start with old fashioned or wild roses. The more fragrant the roses, the more fragrant your rose water will be. Any rose petals will do though.
Another thing to consider is that the color of the rose petals will affect the colour of the rose toner. If you use pink or red roses then it will be pink, white roses and it will be clear, orange roses and it will be yellow. I personally wouldn’t say that the colour means that one is better than the other but I do prefer using pink roses.
Deeply scented old fashioned roses are excellent for making rose water
Wild Rose Petals
My favourite rose to use for this recipe is the wild rose. There are about half a dozen different types of wild rose but the ones on my doorstep are Rosa rugosa (beach rose) and Rosa canina (dog rose).
When foraging for wild roses, pick the petals direct from the flower, leaving the hip in place. It could be that it’s already been pollinated and that you could return in the autumn to pick them for rose-hip syrup or tea.
With garden roses, place your hand over the flower and gently pull all the petals off. They tend to come off fairly easily if the flower has been blooming for a few days.
Rosa Rugosa and a white Rosa Canina – both are types of wild roses
Make Rose Water
To make rose water, pick about three cups of rose petals. Leave them outside on paper towels or a cloth tea towel to allow any insects to escape. Give them around half an hour.
Next, put the rose petals into a sauce pan. You can fill it up all the way to the top with rose petals if you’d like. Fill the pan with water (preferably distilled) until the petals are just covered. Place a lid on the pan and heat on low until most of the colour has faded from the petals. It will take about twenty minutes and whatever you do, keep the water from coming to a simmer. Too much heat can destroy the flower’s beneficial properties and colour.
Gently heat the rose petals with distilled water
Straining the Rose Water
After the petals have paled considerably, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and compost the remaining rose petals. Pour the rose water toner into a sterilised jar, allow it to cool, and then keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to use it. Kept this way, it will keep for about a week.
Strain the rose petals out when they’ve lost their colour
Rose water toner can be used on it’s own with a cotton pad or spritzing it with with a mini spray bottle. It can provide immediate freshness and a reduction in redness and inflammation.
When you use it on a pad you’ll notice that it picks up a lot of grime and make-up. Afterwards your skin feels squeaky clean and if the rose water is fragrant enough, you can smell roses coming off your skin.
Rose water can be used on its own as a toner or as a base for lotions
Using Rose Water in Lotions
If you’d like the rose water toner to last a lot longer, you can use it to make handmade lotions and creams. They’ll provide all the benefits of rose water plus the benefits of the oils you use. I have a recipe for wild rose & honey hand cream that you could try. By all means, use rose water made with any rose petals though.
You could use homemade rose water in any of my lotion recipes though. Just replace the water content with rose water and away you go.
Liked this idea? I have even more rose recipes and ideas for you to check out.
Use Wild Rose Water to make this handmade hand cream
Ishita says
August 28, 2018 at 12:41 pmHi, can we use this rose water in soaps? May be in melt and pour soap?
lovelygreens says
August 29, 2018 at 2:18 pmPersonally I wouldn’t do it. You can use it in cold-process soap but it will likely brown. I wouldn’t advise using any water-liquid in m&p since it will likely seep with the glycerin out of the bars. Imagine wet and sticky soap.
Patricia says
August 14, 2018 at 11:28 amHi can I leave the rose petals in the rose water toner?
lovelygreens says
August 14, 2018 at 12:00 pmI don’t recommend it — they’ll start breaking down (rotting) without a preservative
Custom Soap Boxes says
August 13, 2018 at 8:28 pmloved the post, the idea of rose water sounds very refreshing and soothing. Would definitely try it out and recommend it to other. Keep posting such stuff.
Kelly Thompson says
May 21, 2018 at 11:02 pmcan you add a drop or two of essential oil to the rose water? if so what would be a good choice for a fresh spritz / toner for face & neck?
kel
lovelygreens says
May 23, 2018 at 2:23 pmThat would make a lovely addition 🙂 Rose Absolute would be an ideal choice, as would Rose-Geranium or Chamomile
Olivia Alvord says
April 6, 2019 at 5:40 pmWhat do you mean it will only keep for about a week? Would it be bad to use it after then? Also, if I use red roses will it leave pigments on my skin?
lovelygreens says
April 7, 2019 at 10:01 amNo, it won’t leave your skin pink. After a week the toner may begin to grow mold, especially if it’s left at room temperature. That’s the way things go if you don’t use a preservative.
Betty says
June 8, 2016 at 4:56 pmThis can also be used in culinary ways. Substitute this for vanilla, using twice as much as the vanilla that is called for. Great in white cakes especially.
Jenny says
May 11, 2016 at 6:36 pmAm so happy to discover this new and amazing tips ? on natural beauty !!
Sorry for my English French girl?.
Shelly says
April 13, 2016 at 4:39 amCould peony be used for this? Nothing beats their smell:)
lovelygreens says
April 16, 2016 at 9:52 amI’ve never tried it before but don’t see why not. Peony extract is used as an antioxidant – a possible anti-aging compound.
Anonymous says
August 28, 2015 at 5:37 pmWas just wondering how long rose water will last? If I was to make a large batch would it be safe to store for the winter?
lovelygreens says
August 28, 2015 at 6:48 pmThere aren’t any preservatives in this recipe so no it wouldn’t last longer than a month or so (max!) in the fridge. Idea: try freezing it? I haven’t tried it before but it may work!
Joy Ezebilo says
July 23, 2018 at 7:34 pmBut if used in body cream, how long can I keep it ? Thank u
lovelygreens says
July 24, 2018 at 8:54 amIf you use a broad spectrum preservative and an antioxidant like vitamin e then it can last much longer. Up to 18 months in some cases but it’s completely down to the preservative you choose.
Chesy says
May 14, 2019 at 6:25 pmI dehydrate the petals and make small batches of the rose water/oil using the dried petals throughout the year
Christine says
June 25, 2015 at 12:39 pmHi. In the last set of pictures, it shows the pink rose lotion, a clear gel-like substance, and the rose water. What is the clear gel stuff?
lovelygreens says
June 25, 2015 at 2:01 pmHi Christine! The white cream in the glass pot is another type of lotion that I made with the rose water. I don’t have the recipe online but will see about sharing it.
Arabiye Artola says
May 24, 2015 at 7:38 pmThis was such a lovely post! Your blog is definitely one of of my favorites 🙂
Tanya from Lovely Greens says
May 28, 2015 at 8:19 amThank you so much 🙂
lovelygreens says
June 25, 2015 at 2:01 pmThank you so much!
Leila Chekir says
June 28, 2014 at 11:53 pmHi! How many flower petals you put in it you would say? (To be efficient) I would like to try it!
Tanya from Lovely Greens says
January 29, 2015 at 7:04 pmIt depends on how much you'd like to make! The recipe here can be used for any quantity of rose petals.
haikuflower says
June 15, 2014 at 2:32 amOh this is a pretty post. The pictures are wonderful as is the topic. I wish I had roses, and I must grow some. I look forward to seeing your cream recipes!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
June 16, 2014 at 8:11 amThank you and I'll be posting some more recipes soon 🙂
Becki says
May 18, 2014 at 7:59 pmI wonder if, when this is used in a cream, if it lasts longer than a month or so before becoming rancid.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
May 20, 2014 at 2:00 pmIt will depend entirely on whether you use a preservative or not Becki. If you do use one, it will extend the shelf life dramatically – for up to 12-18 months.
Holly Edman says
May 25, 2018 at 2:27 amWhat kind of preservative would you recommend?
lovelygreens says
May 25, 2018 at 10:17 amI don’t use a preservative in this product — it keeps for long enough in the fridge. If I were to use one, I’d consider phenethyl alcohol. There are natural versions of it available and it smells like roses.
Anonymous says
March 31, 2014 at 5:23 pmMy big pink tea rose buds are getting rained on RIGHT NOW. The blooms never seem to last through a rain (wilty!) so I think it would be very clever of me to go ahead and harvest them to bring them inside and add…hot water. 🙁 thanks for the recipe.
Anonymous says
March 31, 2014 at 5:24 pmI meant a SMILEY FACE! 😉
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
May 20, 2014 at 1:59 pmYour frowny face was slightly confusing for a second 🙂 Hopefully you'll get to try this out on your tea roses this summer!
Sharla says
October 3, 2013 at 6:08 amI live in Alberta, Canada. The Wild Rose of Alberta is the famous "rose" here that grows like a weed, I can't get rid of it in my yard. It is what is called Rosa acicularis, you listed Rosa Rugosa. Am I able to use the roses here, or should it be that particular species you listed?
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
October 3, 2013 at 5:09 pmAbsolutely! Rosa acicularis is also edible so you can use the hips for making tea, syrup, etc.
Sharla says
October 4, 2013 at 3:32 amThank you! They are all over our yard. Can't wait for them to pop up again next year, now I may like them after all. Do you have any recipes for that as well, or a how to?
Anonymous says
October 16, 2013 at 5:46 pmTanya,
The only rose bushes that I have are the "Knockout Roses." Can the petals from these be used to make this?
I love this idea, thanks for sharing! Millie
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
May 20, 2014 at 1:57 pmJust about any rose petals can be used Millie…so crack on 🙂
Patrick says
August 14, 2013 at 10:29 amMy Mum used the same basic technique as described here with petals from her burgeoning 'Climbing Peace' rose. The rose framed our front door landing quite beautifully.
Patrick says
August 14, 2013 at 10:11 amWhen we were kids, my Mum would get us involved in making what she called rose perfume using the same basic techniques as described here. Quite interesting for inquisitive kids like me. The scent was intoxication as I fondly recall.
Reunata says
August 8, 2013 at 12:27 pmI'll definitely try to make this rose water! Will all kind of roses work equally? Is there any other flowers that we can use? Thank you so much for sharing! <3
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 8, 2013 at 9:10 pmTrue Rose Water comes from the Damask Rose (Rosa Damascena) though if you're making your own just choose a variety that has a deep and natural fragrance.
Sara says
August 1, 2013 at 9:06 amSuch a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing!
Xx
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 3, 2013 at 6:19 amYou're welcome Sara 🙂
Emily says
August 1, 2013 at 12:47 amI can't wait for the cream recipes!
Emily
eageremily.blogspot.com
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 3, 2013 at 6:19 amI'll have some available shortly 🙂
flowerlady says
July 31, 2013 at 4:42 pmNow I have a dilemma, your rose water sounds lovely. But I only have so many rose petals and I was going to try and make Rose petal preserve this year.Having never tried either I am not sure which to try
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 3, 2013 at 6:16 amFind a friend with spare roses and try both! 🙂
elaine says
July 31, 2013 at 1:15 pmThis is something we used to make as kids – is it any wonder that I have a divine complexion – ha ha!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 3, 2013 at 6:15 amHaha! It does feel nice as a toner though and the scent is just divine 🙂
Sandies' Patch says
July 31, 2013 at 1:02 pmThank you for this post and recipe, I love the simple things in life!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
August 3, 2013 at 6:20 amYou're welcome Sandie 🙂
Sunnybrook Farm says
July 30, 2013 at 11:58 pmI thought it was some complicated extraction method of sorts, it looks simple!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
July 31, 2013 at 5:55 am'Proper' Rose water that you buy in shops is extracted in a distilling process. You can hack the process of distilling at home but making Rose Water this way, using an infusion, is far easier.
CJ says
July 30, 2013 at 8:20 pmRose water sounds lovely. I've got a many petalled rose in the garden, so I might try this one while it is flowering. Another great post Tanya, I'm looking forward to hearing about how you make the cream.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
July 31, 2013 at 5:55 amI'm still experimenting with recipes but definitely plan on sharing a few in the coming weeks 🙂
wildcraft diva says
July 30, 2013 at 7:49 pmgorgeous post 🙂
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
July 31, 2013 at 5:56 amThank you 🙂
Mrs C says
July 30, 2013 at 6:36 pmThank you for the post, I am going to have a go as I love rose water but have never dared try to make it myself xx
Excited about your creams recipes too as most commercial creams irritate my skin.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
July 31, 2013 at 6:00 amHave fun trying it out Mrs C – and maybe save some for making into cream 🙂
Yolanda Martín says
July 30, 2013 at 6:26 pmthank you very much for your post. I am wainting impatient your new entrances about cream
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
July 31, 2013 at 5:56 amThanks Yolanda 🙂 I'll post some recipes within the next couple of weeks.
Cheryl Kane says
January 23, 2015 at 5:51 pmHi Tanya, I was just wondering if u ever made a lotion with the rose water. I couldnt find 1 on here.