Rosewater is a divisive ingredient in cuisine. (Too much and it tastes like soap.) But we can’t get enough of it in skin care. Roses are a hero beauty ingredient thanks to their soothing properties. Not to mention the way they make skin feel petal soft. Rose oils, rose extracts and actual rose petals appear in various skin care products. But it’s the calming power of rosewater — water infused with rose petals — we’re focusing on today.
Rosewater has anti-inflammatory and comforting properties. Which makes it an excellent option for all skin types, even sensitive. The ingredient softens and relieves redness and irritation. Then there’s that subtle floral scent. It can even give products a natural millennial pink color.
Some mists and toners are simply composed of pure rosewater. The ingredient also works well paired with other natural things, like witch hazel and aloe. It’s not just in toners, though. It can be found in cleansers, moisturizers, masks and more.
Here are the best rosewater skin care products to spend your money on.
Rosewater Skin Care Products
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Herbivore Botanicals
Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist, $32 at Herbivore Botanicals
Boasting organic rosewater, this super-fine spray also includes hyaluronic acid, coconut water and hibiscus extract. The mix instantly hydrates and softens skin. Go ahead and spritz it on clean skin or over makeup to keep that glowy, dewy look going.
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Chantecaille
Rose de Mai Eye Lift, $97 at Space.NK
This isn't the average eye treatment, which explains the higher price tag. Plant-based extracts are housed in capsules in a rosewater base. Click the wand and the ceramic tip dispenses the perfect amount of product to refresh tired, puffy eyes.
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Fresh
Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, $42 at Sephora
Make skin feel as soft as, well, a flower petal by applying the nourishing moisturizer morning and night. It's crammed full of hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, rose oil and vitamin E. Hydropatches seal all the moisture in while rosewater calms stressed skin.
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MAC Cosmetics
Prep + Prime Fix+ Rose, $29 at MAC Cosmetics
Prep your complexion for makeup with this rosewater primer. The lightweight mist has vitamins and minerals making it great for your skin. It’s infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to soothe and refresh stressed skin.
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Glossier
Milky Jelly Cleanser, $18 at Glossier
This cleanser's creamy "milky jelly" formula creates a fun sensory experience as it removes makeup and grime. A quarter of the water content in the pH-balanced formula has been replaced with soothing rosewater. Additionally, it uses poloxamer, a mild cleansing agent that's used in contact lens solutions, for the gentlest cleanse.
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Aromatherapy Associates
Hydrating Rose Face Mask, $65 at Aromatherapy Associates
Applying a face mask is a soothing self-care experience and it's heightened with this hydrating rosewater formula. Skin and minds will be calm, cool and collected after slathering on the hyaluronic acid and aloe formula. What redness and irritation?
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Lush
Eau Roma Water, $10.95 at Lush
This minimalist facial spray has just two active ingredients: rosewater and lavender water. They make the toner smell divine and prove that less-is-more skin care can be effective. The soothing ingredients are suited to those with sensitivity and/or blotchiness. Spritz the formula on after cleansing for an instant refresh without a heavy residue.
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Jurlique
Rosewater Balancing Mist, $42 at Jurlique
Everything's coming up roses with this facial mist thanks to its soothing formula. The multitasking product refines the appearance of pores, seals in moisture, brightens and calms redness. Can your current toner do all that?
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This Works
In Transit No Traces, $27 at This Works
Take everything off with these mint- and rosewater-infused pads. The travel-friendly pads can be applied morning and night or any time skin could use a refresh. The balancing formula manages oil and keeps skin's natural pH in check.
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St. Ives
Rosewater and Bamboo Stick Facial Cleanser, $7.99 at Amazon
Cleansing sticks are a lazy girl's best friend because they basically require no effort to use and keep complexions glowing. This noncomedogenic formula has a coconut oil base with rosewater and bamboo extracts. It dislodges dirt and oil without stripping skin or leaving a greasy finish.
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Mario Badescu
Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner, $14 at Mario Badescu
This pretty pink spray is packed with rose, including rose oil, black rose and rosewater. The floral ingredients are combined with balancing witch hazel and aloe vera to provide a gentle-yet-effective cleanse. This definitely isn't your mama's drying astringent.
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Garnier
SkinActive Milk Face Wash With Rose Water, $6.78 at Walmart
Experience the refreshing effects of rosewater with this vegan face wash. It's strong enough to remove makeup but still relieves redness. FYI: The cleanser's package clearly lists all its ingredients and where they're derived from.
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Frank Body
Anti-Angry Face Mist, $14.95 at Frank Body
Some people have calm complexions that rarely get irritated. Then there are those that always seem to flare up. No matter the situation, this soothing aloe and rosewater spray will restore balance. The floral scent also calms frazzled minds.
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Lancôme
Exfoliating Rose Sugar Scrub, $25 at Nordstrom
The pink packaging gives us a good clue about the rosewater in this sugar scrub. The addition of honey helps the product gently exfoliate without feeling scratchy or becoming irritating. It removes dead skin patches and helps plump faces.
