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Essentially, facial hydrolat is a by-product in the production of essential oils. Otherwise, it is also called floral or aromatic water. Hydrolate is obtained by steam distillation from various medicinal herbs and plants (sometimes berries and fruits). That is, hot steam passes through the leaves, petals or stems of plants, is saturated with their useful components, and then condenses into a colorless or slightly colored liquid. The most popular hydrolats are rose, lavender, sage, mint, chamomile, thyme, wormwood, rosemary, tea tree, bergamot and neroli. The main difference between a real quality product for the face is their XNUMX% naturalness. Sometimes, to reduce the cost of the process, the manufacturer can add synthetic components or aromatic fragrances to the hydrolates that imitate popular perfumes. In this case, the benefit fades and is no longer recommended for use in daily care, as it can cause irritation.
The main benefit of hydrolat for the face is that it has many of the beneficial properties of essential oil, but at the same time contains it in a minimal amount. Due to its water base, it easily penetrates the skin, while rarely causing an allergic reaction.
Why do you need hydrolat for the face
Most often, facial hydrolat is used as an alternative to tonic. The product moisturizes the skin, prevents dryness, nourishes and tones it, has an antiseptic effect and helps fight rashes. It perfectly refreshes the skin of the face in hot weather or during the heating season. Most often, hydrolats are available in the form of a fine spray, so you can take it with you and use it if necessary, just spraying it on the skin. Also, hydrolats can be used as a basis for various masks and scrubs or make-up remover. True, such a tool is unlikely to cope with waterproof cosmetics. Many beauty bloggers advise spraying the product on the hair or rubbing it on the neck and décolleté. Also, hydrolate will help to cope with itchy skin, for example, after mosquito bites.
Since hydrolate for the face is used quite rarely as an independent cosmetic product (it loses in effectiveness to the same tonic, and it definitely cannot replace a moisturizer), you can use it as an aromatherapy. For example, neroli or rose hydrosol relaxes, while rosemary, orange and bergamot hydrolate, on the contrary, invigorates.
How to use facial hydrosol
The tool can be used as a regular tonic: moisten a cotton pad with it and wipe the face along the massage lines: from the center of the forehead to the temples, from the tip of the nose to the nostrils, from the wings of the nose to the temples, from the middle of the chin to the ears. On the front of the neck with a cotton pad moistened with hydrolate, it should be carried out from the bottom up, as if pulling up the skin, and on the side areas – vice versa.
The second (and probably the most popular) option is to simply spray it on your face, neck, décolleté and hair. A pleasant water mist remains on the skin, leaving no feeling of excessive moisture or stickiness. The product dries quickly, giving freshness and coolness on a hot day.
You can use the method popular with Korean women (real gurus in the world of cosmetics): to do this, you need to pour a small amount of the product into your palms and distribute the product over your face with patting movements.
Also, hydrolat can be poured into ice molds and frozen, and then wipe your face with fragrant ice cubes. This procedure not only refreshes and tones, but also helps to slow down the first age-related changes.
Most Popular Hydrolat Flavors
As we said earlier, hydrosols are often used not only for cosmetic purposes, but also for aromatherapy. And some even manage to replace perfume with hydrolat, especially in hot weather, when harsh and rich aromas can cause headaches and irritation of others. Of course, such a “perfume” fades rather quickly, but you can always renew it and enjoy your favorite floral or herbal scent.
The most popular hydrosol fragrances are rose (most often damask) – it is loved for the luxurious sensual aroma of a freshly blossomed flower. The aroma of neroli gives charm and mystery to its owner, patchouli excites and attracts, and lavender, on the contrary, soothes, giving a feeling of complete relaxation and harmony. The aroma of orange, lime, bergamot and other citrus fruits sparkles with vivacity and energy, improves mood and helps fight apathy.
Reviews of cosmetologists about hydrosol for the face
– You should not expect super miracles from a facial hydrolat, it is just a nice addition to the basic daily care, it can sometimes replace a tonic or thermal water, but it will not replace a cream or serum. In addition, hydrolates may not be suitable for everyone and even cause an allergic reaction, explains cosmetologist, esthetician Anna Lebedkova.
Popular questions and answers
– The main task of the tonic is additional cleansing of the skin, so it may contain synthetic components. A hydrolat is a natural tonic that does not contain synthetic additives, the beautician explains.
– First of all, hydrosol is intended for moisturizing, nourishing and toning the skin. It is very well suited for use in hot weather and during the heating season, when the air in the room becomes especially dry. The tool restores the water balance of the epidermis and helps to saturate it with useful components, says Anna Lebedkova.
– The main contraindications include asthma, individual intolerance to the components. If the product has high acidity, it should also be used with caution, the cosmetologist-esthetician warns.