Is rose water an acne-curing miracle? The short answer is that it definitely can be.
How so?
Rose water has a long history of being the holy grail for curing many skin problems. It has been lauded for its multitude of benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health. But, today, we will be focusing on its ability to treat those pesky breakouts. Rose water is one of the best natural remedies for treating acne without any adverse side effects (unless, of course, you are allergic to it).
When applied topically to the skin, it can…
- Reduce inflammation
- Soothe redness & irritation
- Reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation & dark spots
- Instantly hydrate the skin
Reduce Inflammation, Redness, & Irritation
Rosewater has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties since it contains vitamin C; making it an excellent product for quelling irritated, inflamed, and red skin. While its antimicrobial properties destroy and inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These properties will help to prevent future breakouts and treat existing ones.
Vitamin C contributes to its high amount of antioxidants, which fight the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are now found to cause acne. Specifically, rose flowers contain anthocyanin pigment, which functions as a “free radical scavenger.”
Moreover, phenolic acids and flavonoids are present in rose water which contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, rose water is one of the best toners for sensitive skin.
Reduce Hyperpigmentation & Dark Spots
The worse thing about acne is that even after the swelling and pain subside, visible marks are left behind. They're like the after-battle scars that remind you of those horrid breakouts. When I say acne scars, I refer to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), commonly seen in those with darker skin tones. As well as post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), commonly seen in those with fairer skin tones. Not atrophic acne scars, which are skin indentations that sadly rose water alone can’t remove. The great news is that rose water has incredible abilities to fade those brown, purple, or red spots and brighten your overall complexion.
As previously mentioned, rose water is rich in vitamin C, a renowned ingredient used for lightening dark spots. Likewise, phenolic acids and flavonoids are effective at “ inhibit[ing] erythema.” Not only that, they behave as UV blockers (though they’re not a replacement for wearing sunscreen daily), and UV rays are responsible for causing and worsening existing hyperpigmentation.
Instantly Hydrates the Skin
Dehydrated skin is a widespread cosmetic condition that is often mistaken for lack of moisture. However, properly hydrated skin is far different from moisturized skin. Actually, it can be a lot trickier to maintain since no amount of moisturizer can help. Instead, dehydrated, thirsty skin is due to a lack of water caused by transepidermal water loss (TEWL– shown below in the diagram). TEWL causes a compromised stratum corneum, the outermost protective layer of the skin. Which gives you that tight, dull, itchy skin feeling.
Hydration is often overlooked when it comes to treating acne. Many have fallen victim to using harsh drying astringents and cleansers to remove excess oil from the skin’s surface to reduce breakouts. This practice is a significant cause of TEWL and leads to an impaired stratum corneum. Our skin freaks out when it recognizes low hydration levels, causing it to overproduce oils to rehydrate itself. Thus, begins a vicious cycle of one drying out his skin, only to end up greasier and with more breakouts.
Furthermore, dehydrated skin means unlubricated pores, which inhibits oil from passing through to clean them. When oil can’t freely flow through our pores, it becomes dried up, leading to congestion, breakouts, and blackheads. Consequently, hydrated skin is less prone to acne because it doesn't need to compensate for a lack of hydration. Plus, it is able to easily clean the pores despite producing less oil.
Luckily, rose water is a fantastic hydrator to the skin. It can penetrate the skin and leave it looking plump, youthful, dewy, and able to bounce back. Some say they experience a tightening feeling, so moisturizer is needed afterward to seal in that hydration.
Reduce Stress
Stress and acne are correlated because an increase in cortisol levels, our body’s primary stress hormone, simultaneously causes an inflammatory response from our bodies. This response can be shown on our faces in the form of inflamed acne.
Rose water comes to the rescue because it can have calming effects on the body and lower stress levels. In fact, studies have shown that the aroma can relax the central nervous system and boost a person’s mood. Many have boasted about its powerful mood-enhancing properties for being a natural anti-depressant that also combats anxious feelings.
How to Use?
Rose water can be used to treat acne in a variety of ways.
Some ways include (but aren’t limited to):
➣ Cleansing and clarifying the skin of any gunk and impurities.
➣ Toning the skin post-cleansing with a cotton pad or misting it over the face.
➣ Using it as a face mask by either soaking a sheet mask in it or using it as a replacement for water when making clay masks.
Pure rose water is also safe to consume. Rose water is not as widely consumed in western cultures as it is in Middle Eastern and Persian cuisines. Nevertheless, don’t allow such unfamiliarity to withhold you from giving it a try. It's best to consume it mixed in water or smoothies to reap its maximum benefits. Cooking it runs the risk of heat depleting its essential micronutrients.
Most importantly, to see the effectiveness of rose water, consistent application and consumption of rose water is integral. If you wish to yield any of the benefits mentioned above introduce it into your daily routine now.
Where to Find?
Numerous rose water products can be found in many places, from Walmart to luxury skincare brands. Cheap options are available all over the web making it an easily accessible product for all. Such an overwhelming amount of choices makes it hard to find the best quality rose water for the best price. We will provide you with the necessary qualities to look for in a rose water product so that you get your money’s worth.
Unfortunately, many rose water products on the market are diluted with water and shockingly alcohol– a huge NO NO. Unsurprisingly, the products that fit these qualities are on the cheaper side. So it's important not to be swayed by a low price tag since not all rose water is created equally. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. So if you are hesitant to pay for a pricier rose water be rest assured that you are paying for quality. Paying for good quality products now means your skin doesn’t pay later in the form of more breakouts. Continuous use of harsh ingredients can have detrimental effects on the skin.
Some even attempt to make their own rose water at home, which is advised against for many reasons. Firstly, people tend to use store-bought, ornamental roses that aren't ideal for making rose water. They likely have been sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals to preserve their beauty and fresh look. Secondly, they may not contain high amounts of essential oils, which is what makes rose water so beneficial. The percentage of essential oils in rose water ranges from 0.025% - 0.1%. Thirdly, pure rose water is extracted using a steam distillation method, not a mere soaking of rose petals in water.
So the top 3 qualities to look for in a rose water product to ensure its quality is first that it is made from Bulgarian roses, AKA “Rose Damascena.” Second, the only ingredient should be rose water, meaning it’s pure, and you’re guaranteed maximum potency. Thirdly, make sure it is produced through a steam distillation process. If available, see if there's information on the percentage of essential oils it contains– the higher the percentage, the better.
We highly recommend our Sublim O Rose Water which is sourced from the Dadés Valley, Morocco home to the valley of roses. Our rose water is packed with micro-nutrients. It is of superior quality and 100% concentrated with absolutely no additives. We use fresh Rose Damascenas, which go through an artisanal distillation process that creates the purest rosewater that is concentrated in healing properties that cleanses, calms, and balances your skin. All of our products are made fresh and thus are preservative-free and safe for all in the family to use even babies.
Sources:
https://aseptichealth.com/education/antimicrobial-versus-antibacterial/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/03f7/98c9c3cce9074dc6d89ca4bfed0ebf4a3b58.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVXayVS-CHU https://site.groundedsage.com/hydration-left-acne-busting-plans-absence-contributing-breakouts/ https://skinbetter.com/transepidermal-water-loss-important/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331906604_Assessment_of_Rose_Water_and_Evaluation_of_Antioxidant_and_Anti-inflammatory_Properties_of_a_Rose_Water_Based_Cream_Formulation
