Rose Water Toner: Benefits, Uses, & More

Imagine the soft embrace of jumping into a bed full of rose petals; their surface feels like the softest of skin. Now picture their essence enveloping your senses; their sweet perfume wafting in the air. So dreamy. Though beds full of roses can be hard to come by, you can still pamper yourself with this beautiful flower—and make your skin happy in the process, too. The secret: rose water.

Rose water benefits the skin in many ways. As such, rose water toner comes in a variety of forms, from the kind you sprinkle into your hands to rose water spray. Read on to learn all about what rose water toner is, what the best rose water benefits for skin are, and how you can enjoy a decadent rose water skincare routine of your own.

What Is Rose Water Toner?

Rose water toner, as the name suggests, is derived from roses. Rosa damascena, commonly known as the Damask rose, is one of the most important species of the Rosaceae family. Aside from being used as an ornamental plant, it's also an ingredient in the perfume, food, and, unsurprisingly, decorative industries. In the beauty world, it’s been used for centuries.

In skincare, rose water toner and rose water spray made from the Damask rose are used as natural toners to help soothe and calm the skin, as well as help its pH balance. Our new Kiehl’s Heritage Rosewater Toner does just that and more. Inspired by nature and Kiehl’s collection of rose water toners from the ‘60s, it contains both rose water essence and whole petals from Damask rose flowers—sustainably sourced from Turkey and handpicked from “the garden of the world.” The formula comforts your skin and helps maintain optimal moisture. It hydrates and balances your skin to make it feel smooth and petal-soft. Plus, it comes in a limited edition apothecary bottle, which you can sit back and admire as you bask in the rose water’s delicate aroma.

Are Roses Good For Your Skin

In addition to the soothing, calming, and balancing rose water benefits, this lovely scented ingredient is also good for your skin. Rose petals contain a variety of polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants that can help repair and protect your skin from environmental stressors, like UV rays and pollution.

Does Rose Water Help Skin Glow?

Combine all of the above rose water benefits for skin and, yes, rose water can help give your visage a glowy aura. Reducing free radicals and discoloration, as well as helping to lock in moisture, can all contribute to healthy-looking skin with a lit-from-within glow.

Our Recommended Routine Featuring Rose Water

Toners and essences should generally be applied after cleansing and before any serums or moisturizer. Ahead, learn when to use a rose water toner or rose water spray in the following routine.

Step 1. Wash Your Face

Start your day fresh by wiping away the dirt, oil, and impurities that have accumulated while you slept. If you're looking to continue feeding your inner skincare child of nature, we recommend using a gentle cleanser like Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash. Made with calendula flower extract and glycerin, this unique formula turns from a creamy gel into a luxuriously thick foam. It conditions your skin while providing a deep clean, and won’t over-dry or strip your skin of its natural oils. Your skin will be left looking and feeling instantly refreshed and revitalized.

It’s an especially excellent choice for normal to oily skin, plus you’ll also be showing Mother Earth you really care; the packaging is made from recycled materials, and the product is paraben-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free.

Dampen your face with lukewarm water and work the gel into a foam with your fingertips. Then, gently massage it over your face in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel.

Step 2. Apply Toner

Step 3. Smooth on a Serum

Follow your floral bliss with a targeted serum, such as Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum, which combines an Epidermal Hydration Filler with 15% glycerin. Safe for use on all skin types, our formula helps visibly plump skin, smooth fine lines, and improve texture and elasticity. It helps improve the appearance of dull, dehydrated skin by providing deep hydration and helping to promote your skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid. Dispense one pump of this ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested serum into your hand, then apply it evenly to your skin. You can even use it on the contours of your eyes, though be careful it doesn’t actually get in your precious peepers.

At night, reach for Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil to visibly restore your skin while you sleep with squalane, lavender essential oil, and primrose oil. The hydrating face oil formula absorbs quickly and is lightweight, and visibly combats fine lines, uneven skin texture, and tired-looking skin. It helps your skin repair itself while you sleep for a more radiant, healthier appearance. And, it contains no parabens, silicone, or mineral oil.

Step 4. Care For Your Eye Area

The skin around your eyes is the most delicate on your body. Try showing it some love with the ultra-hydrating Avocado Eye Cream, a novel water-in-oil formula, which boasts avocado oil, beta-carotene, and shea butter to nourish the area around your eyes with intense, all-day moisture. It’s clinically-demonstrated to depuff by 32% and brighten by 11% after just one use.^*You can also use it to help defend your eye area from digital fatigue caused by the blue light emitted from your devices. It’s ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested, and won’t migrate into your eyes. Plus, it’s free of parabens, fragrance, silicone, mineral oil, and synthetic dye.

^*Results based upon expert grading evaluated with the product in a 4-week clinical test.

Step 5. Moisturize

Now, seal in all that goodness with our #1 facial cream, Ultra Facial Cream, which contains glacial glycoprotein and squalane. The non-greasy formula has a lightweight texture and provides 24-hour hydration. It immediately leaves skin 2.3X more hydrated, even in its driest areas. Tested in both everyday and extreme environments, this powerful moisturizer is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. There are also no parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, dyes, or TEA, and its packaging is made from recycled materials.

Step 6 (Daytime Only). Protect Yourself From the Sun

If you’re a Kiehl’s skincare advice fan, we’ll wager you know where this one is going. In the morning, every day, rain or shine, be sure to apply sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. We like Super Fluid Daily UV Mineral Defense, with titanium dioxide and vitamin E. Dermatologist-tested for sensitive and acne-prone skin, this mineral sunscreen uses a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ to help defend your skin against UVA and UVB rays, as well as free radicals. It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing with a soft tint to complement your natural skin tone, and leaves your skin with a matte finish.

Next: What Is Micellar Water?

Sources:
I. Lee MH, Nam TG, Lee I, et al. Skin anti-inflammatory activity of rose petal extract (Rosa gallica) through reduction of MAPK signaling pathway. Food Sci Nutr. 2018;6(8):2560-2567. Published 2018 Oct 25. doi:10.1002/fsn3.870
II. Boskabady MH, Shafei MN, Saberi Z, Amini S. Pharmacological effects of rosa damascena. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2011;14(4):295-307.