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Unlike florals for spring, rose water for hair may, in deed, be groundbreaking. By now, you’ve probably seen it as an ingredient in many hair (and skincare products), but have you ever considered applying some directly onto your tresses? If not, now is definitely the time to get in on this trend…not that rose water’s new, just because it’s buzzy right now.
Experts in This Article
board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and founder of PFRANKMD
In fact, it’s been used for centuries in various beauty cultures around the world, and it’s a great, naturally fragrant way to freshen up your strands in between shampoos since it’s essentially just rose petals boiled in distilled water that’s been diluted. It’s also especially good for your scalp, according to Kerry E. Yates, a trichologist, hair expert, and CEO of Colour Collective. “Rose water works to alleviate irritation and inflammation of the scalp,” she says, adding that it’ll help relieve itchiness, too. “It’s also a mild astringent, and works to help control excess oil/sebum, ensuring the scalp stays healthy and hydrated,” Yates explains.
Because of its mild astringency, rose water can help reduce excess oil production, adds Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in New York City. “It also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a nice choice for mild cases of dandruff or eczema—emphasis on mild,” he says. And other than potentially causing irritation for people with super sensitive skin (try a patch test first), or those who are sensitive to essential oils, Dr. Frank says it should be pretty safe for anyone to use on their hair—unless, of course, you’re allergic to the flower. “Similar to other treatments, it should be used in moderation,” he says, also cautioning that misting too much onto your skin or hair can actually dehydrated it, so don’t go overboard.
5 ways to use rose water for hair
1. Hair toner
“It’s a natural astringent that helps to alleviate the effects of an oily scalp,” explains Yates. Spray in on wet hair out of the shower.
2. Curling spritz
“You can also mist or spritz rose water to combat mid-day frizz without weighing down your hair,” suggests Dr. Frank.
3. Conditioning rinse
Douse your hair and scalp with the elixir after conditioning, leave it on for 5–10 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water to balance your hair’s moisture content and improve suppleness.
4. Scalp treatment
Spritz rose water throughout your scalp when your hair is damp post-shower and leave it in to address dryness or itchiness.
5. Hair fragrance
Because of its floral scent, misting your dirty strands when you’ve gone one-too-many days between washes can help mask odor.
How to make rose water for hair
Ingredients:
4 rosesDistilled water4 small mister bottles
1. Carefully remove petals from stems.2. Place in a large pot and add distilled water to cover the petals. You don’t want to add too much water as this will dilute your solution.3. On medium heat, bring the water to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. The roses should become pale in color.4. Separate the petals from the water with a strainer. Let cool.5. Add one ounce of rose solution to three ounces of water in spritzer bottles.6. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one month.
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