How to Make Rosewater

Homemade rosewater can be used on its own, as a natural skin toner, or mixed with glycerin to create a soothing and healing moisturizer. With a beautiful aroma, rosewater can also be used as an ingredient in homemade soaps, lotions and skin-care products.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Rose petals
• Heat-resistant glass bowl with lid
• Spring water
• Cheesecloth
• Wide-mouthed glass jar

1. Gather your roses. If possible, harvest pesticide-free roses from your own garden; however, if you must buy roses from your local florist, rinse the petals in cool water to remove any chemicals.
2. Pluck enough petals to firmly pack 1 cup. Place the roses in a heat-resistant glass bowl.
3. Boil 2 cups of spring water and pour the hot water over the rose petals. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate and allow the rose petals to steep for 30 minutes.
4. Cover a wide-mouthed jar with a piece of cheesecloth and pour the rosewater into the jar. Discard the rose petals.

Tips & Warnings

• Natural rosewater will last about ten days if stored in the refrigerator. You may add one tablespoon of vodka as a preservative to extend the shelf life to one month.
• Make a natural and soothing skin moisturizer by combing a 50/50 mix of rosewater and glycerin.
• Place your rosewater in a spray bottle for a soothing and moisturizing summer spritzer.
• Roses have three outer petals, which are made to protect the rose. These petals are thick and full of nutrients essential to your rosewater. When these petals are removed, the roses open more, so most florists will remove these petals before selling them. If you purchase your roses from a florist, ask for roses that still have these protective petals.
• Rosewater is for external use only and should never be ingested.