There's something about roses that instantly slows the world down. Maybe it’s the nostalgic aroma, the delicate petals, or the way they show up on birthdays and in gardens.

But for us at The Naked Botanical, it's about so much more. Our relationship with roses started with a simple tour of the New York Botanical Garden. A kind gardener showed me around, and it was there, amidst the tranquil beds, that I first fell in love with the Damask rose.

That moment sparked a passion that led me to grow them myself. We believe in honoring plants in all their forms, and our Rose hydrosol is a gorgeous example of nature's gentle touch, handcrafted from the very roses we cultivate.

 Rose hydrosol isn’t just a product; it’s a story--a century-old story of a timeless flower and a gentle, cherished aromatic water. If you haven’t tried it yet, you're in for a treat, and if you already have a bottle, consider this your friendly nudge to start spritzing more often.

 Don't just take our word for it, read some of our customers' reviews about their experience with our rose hydrosol.

 Let’s dive into why our rose hydrosol deserves a front-row seat in your skincare and self-care rituals.

 What Is Rose Hydrosol?

Let’s clear the petals: rose hydrosol isn’t just fancy water. It's the aromatic floral water that's collected during the steam distillation of fresh rose petals. This is different from the more commonly known rose water, which is a byproduct of the production of rose essential oil.

The main difference lies in the production process and the concentration of the rose's beneficial compounds. During the steam distillation process, as steam passes through the plant material, it coaxes out the plant's compounds. The vapor is then cooled, and as it condenses back into a liquid, it separates into two layers: a minimal amount of essential oil floating on top and the much larger volume of floral water, or hydrosol, below.

While a large-scale producer might distill many pounds of roses to obtain both the essential oil and the hydrosol, our method is more focused. We distill specifically for the hydrosol, as this gentle, low-and-slow process best preserves the delicate, water-soluble compounds that give our product its unique benefits.

This intentional method is why our hydrosol is so pure and potent, ensuring you get the most out of every spritz.

At The Naked Botanical, we handcraft our Rose Hydrosol with care from the very roses we cultivate. Our personal connection to the product, from cultivation to small-batch distillation using a copper alembic still, ensures that love and dedication fill every bottle. There are no alcohols or additives—just pure, flower-powered goodness in our hydrosols.

 The Queen of Roses: Why We Grow the Damask Rose

Historically, when creating rose water, not all roses are equal. True rose water uses the Rosa × damascena—the Damask rose, which isn't an arbitrary choice. The Damask rose, with its unique qualities and fleeting, raw beauty, is the undisputed queen of roses in the world of perfumery and aromatherapy. 

On our farm, the Damask roses bloom for just a few weeks from mid-May to mid-June, and while their smell is intoxicating, you have to be close to truly appreciate it—unlike lilacs that permeate the entire farm.

This short but magical season is one of my favorite times of the year, a moment of intimate, natural beauty that we capture in every bottle.

A Floral Tradition Rooted in History

The use of roses in skincare is a tradition that spans civilizations. Ancient Persian and Indian cultures used rose water and rose infusions for beauty, spiritual rituals, and even in food.¹

 The legendary Queen Cleopatra is also inextricably linked to the rose. While there is no definitive historical record of her bathing in a specific type of hydrosol, sources across cultures have long associated the legendary queen with rose water as her signature beauty secret. Shakespeare even famously noted that the sails of Cleopatra's ships were scented with roses to welcome Mark Anthony.²

A mist of our rose hydrosol can still feel like a queen-worthy moment.

The Benefits of Rose Hydrosol for Your Skin and Emotions

This gentle mist offers a cascade of benefits for both your physical and emotional well-being.

For Your Skin:

• A Soothing, Hydrating Mist Soothes and Balances: Rose hydrosol is naturally anti-inflammatory, making it a perfect remedy for soothing irritated skin, reducing redness, and calming conditions like rosacea or acne.
• Hydrates and Tones: As a natural humectant, it draws moisture into the skin, providing a refreshing boost of hydration. Used as a toner, it prepares your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively.
• A Gentle Antioxidant: Packed with powerful antioxidants, it helps protect your skin from environmental stressors and free radical damage, supporting a youthful, radiant complexion.

For Your Spirit:

• An Uplifting, Grounding Aroma A Natural De-Stressor: The soft, subtle scent of rose hydrosol is never overwhelming. It’s perfect for giving yourself a moment to pause and destress. Close your eyes and spritz to create a peaceful, mindful space. Studies show that inhaling the scent of rose can help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.³
• Uplifts the Mood: The scent of roses has an uplifting effect, helping to ease feelings of sadness and promote a sense of well-being and inner peace.

Meet the Sisters: Our Rose Hydrosol and Our Rose Geranium Hydrosol

While our pure rose hydrosol is a product of quiet, intimate beauty, we know that sometimes you need a different energy. We affectionately think of our two hydrosols as sisters with very different personalities.

 Our pure Rose Hydrosol is the little sister. Her charm is in her subtlety. She is a gentle, quiet companion who offers a moment of soft romance and tender care. She is the one you turn to when you need to feel grounded and comforted.

Our Rose Geranium Hydrosol is the older, bossier sister. She is vibrant and unapologetically herself. While she carries a beautiful, rosy undertone, her character is brighter and more assertive, with a lively, energetic profile. For many, her "louder personality" is an instant pick-me-up and a perfect fit for a morning ritual or a midday boost.

Whether you prefer the quiet grace of the little sister or the confident energy of the older one, both are beautiful examples of nature's gifts, bottled with love.

Simple Ways to Use Hydrosols Every Day

 Enjoying the benefits of our hydrosols doesn't require an elaborate routine. Here are a few simple, everyday uses that you can easily incorporate into your daily skincare and self-care rituals:

• Facial Mist: Use it as a refreshing toner after cleansing and before applying moisturizer.
• Setting Spray: Lightly mist over makeup to help it settle and give skin a soft, dewy glow.
• Hair Mist: Spritz onto damp hair before styling for a subtle, floral fragrance.
• Linen Freshener: Spray onto pillowcases or sheets for a calming bedtime boost. 
• Mid-Day Refresher: Keep it in your bag for a hydrating and uplifting pick-me-up.
•  Pro-tip: Store your bottle in the refrigerator for an extra-cooling and refreshing spritz on a hot day.

 Because air is a hydrosol’s enemy, we bottle our product in a compact 2-ounce size to ensure you use it at its freshest. Storing it in the refrigerator will also help lengthen its shelf life and maintain its potency.

The Glow-Up, Bottled

A hydrosol is a small luxury that fits into everyday life. It brings beauty, comfort, and a little old-world romance into your modern rhythm. Whether you’re starting a new skincare ritual or winding down for the night, our hydrosols are here to be your floral sidekicks. So go ahead—mist generously. Your skin and spirit will thank you.

Sources:

¹ Avicenna and Persian/Indian Traditions: The historical use of roses is well-documented across cultures. The physician Avicenna is well-known for perfecting the distillation of rose water in the 10th century. https://museireali.beniculturali.it/history-and-origins/ 

² Cleopatra and Roses: The legendary association of Cleopatra with roses is a cultural staple. The most famous literary reference found in William Shakespeare's play, Antony and Cleopatra (Act 2, Scene 2), is where he describes her barge with "The winds were lovesick with them," referring to the powerful perfume. https://shakespearenetwork.net/works/play/antonycleo?scope=scene&act_id=2&scene_id=2&toline=910

³ Olfactory Benefits of Rose: Numerous studies in aromatherapy and phytotherapy have explored the effects of rose scent on the human nervous system. Here (reducing anxiety in patients with renal failure) and here (using rose oil in helping with cognitive enhancement in older patients.)