Béja, Tunisia · First distillation
Rose Water Toner: The Complete Guide
Roseau is pure rose water, distilled once a year from fresh Damask rose petals in Béja, Tunisia, with the rose's own oil left in. It is the first step of every Katari ritual: it hydrates, refreshes and preps skin so every oil after it spreads further.
- Ingredient (INCI)
- Rosa damascena flower water
- Origin
- Béja, northern Tunisia
- Method
- Vapor-distilled, first distillation
- Harvest
- Once a year, in May
- Texture
- Weightless mist
- Shelf life
- 2-3 years; use within 12 months of opening
Free U.S. shipping over $75. Ships in 1-2 business days from Denver.
What It Does
- Instantly hydrates and refreshes the skin
- Prepares skin for oils and serums
- Light, dewy finish with no residue
Texture & Absorption:
Weightless mist. Absorbs immediately.
Aroma:
Soft, fresh rose, naturally floral, never perfumed. Scent fades quickly after application.
What It Is
Katari Roseau is pure rose water distilled from Tunisian roses, a potent floral hydrosol that hydrates, tones, and soothes all skin types. Naturally rich in antioxidants, Roseau calms the look of redness, softens the look of fine lines, and leaves skin looking healthy, plump and radiant.
Use daily as a toner, refreshing mist, or makeup setting spray. Preservative-free, vegan, and bottled in glass, Roseau is a timeless Mediterranean ritual for sensitive and mature skin.
We are obsessed with Roseau and never leave without it for any trip.
What it is
Roseau is a hydrosol: the fragrant water collected when fresh rose petals are steam-distilled. It is not rose essential oil diluted in water, and nothing is added. It is a first distillation, and the rose's own oil is left in, which gives it a fuller scent and more of the rose itself in every spray.
It hydrates and refreshes on contact, leaves skin looking calm and dewy, and, most importantly, prepares damp skin for the oils that follow.
Where it comes from
Rose water has been made in the Béja region of northern Tunisia for centuries. Once a year, in May, Damask rose petals are picked by hand early in the morning, while the sun is still soft. They are distilled the same day by Amin, our distiller, who holds a Ph.D. in flower-water distillation. In Tunisia, this same rose water goes into coffee and pastries.
How to use it
- Cleanse. Wash with water, or oil-cleanse with Hoba.
- Mist and tap. Mist Roseau over your face and neck, then tap it in with your fingertips, like raindrops. Don't just spray and walk away.
- Seal while damp. Press in your oil before the rose water dries. This is the step that makes every Katari oil work better.
More ways to use Roseau
- Makeup. Mist before foundation, and again to set it.
- Midday refresh. On flights, at your desk, after the gym.
- Masques. Mix with Argil instead of water for a gentler, more hydrating masque.
- Hair and scalp. Mist through hair for scent and softness, or massage into the scalp to unwind.
- After shaving or waxing. A cooling, comforting mist.
The chemistry
A hydrosol is mostly water, carrying tiny amounts of the plant's aromatic compounds. In rose water, these are the same molecules that make a Damask rose smell like a rose.
| Component | In Roseau | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Phenylethyl alcohol | Main aromatic compound | The soft, honeyed rose scent; also helps keep the hydrosol fresh |
| Citronellol and geraniol | Present in small amounts | Fresh, bright rose notes |
| Retained rose oil | Kept in, not removed | Fuller scent and more rose character |
| pH | Slightly acidic, like skin | Comfortable after washing with tap water |
Typical composition of first-distillation Damask rose hydrosol. Scent varies naturally from harvest to harvest.
Who it's for
- Everyone, from kids to grandparents.
- Dry and mature skin that loves hydration before oil.
- Sensitive skin and skin that flushes easily.
- Anyone in a dry climate (hello, Denver).
For professionals
Use Roseau between treatment steps, as a cool compress, and to mix clays for clients with sensitive skin. It keeps oils spreading evenly during massage. For treatment rooms, ask about wholesale sizes.
Storage and shelf life
Sealed, Roseau keeps for 2-3 years. Once opened, enjoy it within 12 months. Keep it out of hot sun; there is no need to refrigerate, although a chilled mist on a hot day feels wonderful.
Safety
Reactions to rose water are rare. If you have a known sensitivity to rose scent, patch test first, and if anything feels uncomfortable, rinse with cool water.
For external use only. Patch test any new product: apply a little to your inner forearm once a day for two days. If you notice redness, itching or swelling, rinse with cool water and stop using it. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, check with your doctor first.
Questions
Is Roseau safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. It is just rose water with its own rose oil, nothing added. It cools and calms skin that flushes or reacts easily.
Can the whole family use it?
Yes, from kids to grandparents. Use it after shaving or waxing, as a face mist, or in hair.
Roseau or Géran: which one is for me?
Roseau tones and refreshes, and dry or mature skin usually loves it. Géran cools and balances, and oily, combination or flushed skin often prefers it. Many people keep both. Read how to choose.
Why does the scent change from bottle to bottle?
Each year's roses are a little different, and we never add fragrance to even it out.
From the Journal
Roseau or Géran? How to Choose Your Flower Water →
Roseau
€65,95+
What our customers say
4.95★ from 425 reviews
Marcia, LA celebrity esthetician
There are oils, and there are Katari oils
Marcia has prepared her famous clients for red-carpet events with Katari for years, and made Géran her signature scent.
Christina K.
The only skincare I'll ever buy
Katari Beauty is the definition of pure and quality… this is the ONLY skincare products that I will ever buy for the rest of my life.
Karni M.
THIS is my new favorite
Every time I buy a different oil from Katari, I say the same 2 things… “THIS is my new favorite” and “I want to take a bath in this.”
Maureen
Nothing like it
The lengths that they go to find the most amazing raw material and the handblown glass bottles is not like anything I have seen before.
Elizabeth B.
By far the best
I've tried multiple toners in the past and this is by far the best I've found… Katari Beauty is one of the best companies I've encountered in the industry.
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