Hydrosols: The Aromatic Water Destined to be Your New Favorite Thing
What are Hydrosols?
Hydrosols are aromatic plant waters. Obtained from a process called steam distillation, these herbal distillates contain the plant’s cellular waters and micro-particles of essential oil. This type of herbal extraction is sometimes referred to as a hydrolat or flower water, though it can be made from more than just flowers.
‘Hydro’ means water and ‘sol’ means colloidal suspension. Scientifically speaking, a hydrosol is a colloidal suspension of essential oils and water-soluble constituents in water.
This means that microparticles of essential oil are suspended in the aromatic water and cannot be separated. You can only produce a hydrosol via distillation. Distillation requires special equipment (i.e. a still). Waters with essential oils dropped into them are NOT the same as hydrosols. Hydrosols are incredibly gentle, some of them being suitable for eye care, and they may be used neat (undiluted), whereas essential oils are potent, must be diluted, and should never go near the eyes. You can look at a hydrosol as a homeopathic or micro-dose of essential oil.
Why it’s a Game-Changer
For the skin:
The addition of a hydrosol into your healing skincare ritual can be enough to dramatically improve skin tone, increase radiance, calm breakouts, and hydrate without feeling greasy. It certainly did all of that (and more) for me!
Hydrosols have a slightly acidic pH (just like your skin!) and thus make for ideal facial care. Typically packaged in spray bottles, hydrosols can be held overhead with the nozzle tilted slightly down and misted onto the face. This method is gentler than holding the hydrosol straight in front of the face, but sometimes a more direct mist is needed! They can also be spritzed onto fingertips and gently pressed onto the face.
Use on body and face as a refreshing pick-me-up throughout the day or incorporate into your am + pm skincare routines. Mist onto freshly cleansed, damp skin, and follow with a lightweight facial oil or cream. Seal it all in with one final spritz.
For the mind:
Because hydrosols are a gentle herbal extraction, their effects are more subtle in nature. In addition to its topical benefits, hydrosols work directly on replenishing the subtle body: the nervous system, emotions, mind, and Prana (life force energy). Mist your hydrosol throughout a room that feels stagnant and needs an energetic reset. They are wonderful at clearing the air after company has left, or setting the tone for a restful sleep.
Whether misting on the skin or in your space, remember to inhale deeply, slowly drawing the aroma into the olfactory system. Though aromatically and energetically subtle, hydrosols are full of vitality and will create a beautiful shift within you and your space when used regularly.
Checkout Birchstone’s line of hydrosols here. They’re distilled in-house!