Rose Water Toner: The Complete Guide

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

1. Cleanse. Wash with water, or oil-cleanse with Hoba.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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