Can You Use Rose Water As Toner~ Does it Work? Find Out!
Gulab Jal for face is part of the beauty regimen of many, but can this be used as a toner? Read this to find out rose water uses and its impact on different skin types
Rose water is a simple beauty product, but it has an array of benefits. Rose water, as the name suggests, is basically water infused with rose petals. It is a very versatile ingredient, safe for everyday use, and the best part is that it is suitable for every skin type. Moreover, you can best use rose water as toner. Yes, you heard it right, rose water as toner really works!
Toner is used on the face and the neck after cleansing. It removes seeped dirt, leftover makeup, or dead skin cells from the face after cleansing. Gulab Jal for face further prepares the skin for other skincare products like serums and moisturisers.
Rose Water as Toner
Rose water as toner packs a lot of hydration into the skin. It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which helps improve the skin’s barrier and further reduce transdermal water loss.
You can always combine your rose water with moisturising ingredients like glycerin and ceramides for an optimum result. However, it is important to note that Gulab Jal for face cannot replace your current moisturiser.
Rose water Toner for Oily Skin
Rose water is known for balancing skin’s natural oils and, thus, is a great option for people with oily skin. It further contains vitamins like A, C, D, E, and B3, which are extensively used in skincare products for people with oily skin.
These natural vitamins in rose water toner for oily skin helps in improving the skin while preventing breakouts. It further is antibacterial, which stops active acne and acne spots from getting infected and causing scarring.
Also, if you have oily skin, it means that your T-zone or complete facial area secretes a lot of sebum or oil. People with oily skin also have clogged pores, enlarged pores, or even active acne or pimples. Using rose water as toner is beneficial as it contains astringent properties that tighten and clean skin pores.
The problem with other toners for oily skin is that some of them strip the oil very aggressively from your skin, and so you are left with dry skin or an allergic response. Instead, you can switch to Gulab Jal for the face as a solution because of its hydrating and oil-controlling properties.
Rose water Toner for Dry Skin
It is a natural hydrator, and the rose water toner provides moisture where skin needs it the most. Rose water toner for dry skin is ideal as it gives the skin the necessary boost. Gulab Jal for face is known to soothe various conditions like eczema and psoriasis too because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Rose water is suitable for dry skin because it refines the pores without drying your skin out. It further provides a long day of moisture for your skin. You can even choose to carry DIY rose water as toner in a spray bottle in your purse and spray it every 4-5 hours to keep your skin hydrated.
If your skin is very dry, you can choose to use rose water as toner combined with some other moisturising ingredients like glycerin, moisturiser, aloe vera, or sandalwood.
You can make different rose water toners yourself.
How To Make Rose water Toner?
You can choose the store-bought rose water and directly use it as a toner, or you can get creative and add extra ingredients to ensure that your skin gets the maximum benefits. Some DIY rose water toners that you can try for oily skin are:
1. Mint Apple Rose water Toner
What you will need?
- 3 - 4 tsp chopped mint leaves
- 2 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
- One ¼ cup rose water
Keep the mint and apple cider vinegar in a jar with a screw-top lid at room temperature for a week. The mint will infuse in the vinegar and give a lovely scent. Later, strain the mixture into a large cup and add the rose water. Transfer it into a spray bottle and store it in a cool place for a week.
Combining rose water with apple cider vinegar is a good idea as both of them have astringent properties, which minimises the skin pores and reduces the oil. Apple cider vinegar further helps in increasing the blood flow and regulating the PH level of the skin.
2. Glycerin Rose water Toner
What you will need?
- 3 tbsp glycerin
- 3 tbsp rose water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Spray bottle
Combine all three ingredients and mix them properly. Store it in a clean spray bottle. You will have to just massage this toner properly on your cleansed skin post facewash for proper absorption into the skin.
It hydrates your skin completely as glycerin has a lot of moisturising properties. The best part is that this can replace your moisturiser.
3. The Classic Gulab Jal Toner for Face
You even choose to make plain Gulab Jal for face at home.
What you will need?
- Few dried rosebuds
- Water
- Glass spray bottle
Just add the rosebuds in hot boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Wait for the water to cool and then transfer it into the glass spray bottle. Use it within a month and then make fresh batches.
After using it as a toner, make sure to apply a moisturiser, as this routine will drastically help your dry skin.
These are some of the different combinations with which you can use the rose water toner. However, it is important to note that you can use rose water alone without combining it with any other ingredient as it has a lot of benefits of its own.
Gulab Jal Uses
1. Treats Various Skin Conditions
Rose water is known for having anti-inflammatory properties that benefit the skin on various levels. A study in 2011 found that rose water helps treat irritation and redness caused by rosacea. It is a skin condition that causes red bumps, redness, and visible blood vessels.
Apart from that, rose water as toner also helps treat eczema and psoriasis. It helps treat mild problems like acne, sunburn, dry and flaking skin. It is safe for people with sensitive skin.
2. High in Antioxidants
One of the best Gulab Jal uses is that it is high in antioxidants, and this protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
A study found that rose petal extracts suppressed MAPK signalling- which is when cells are activated in response to cellular stressors. One more study in 2011 found that rose petal extract helps in protecting fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage.
Also Read: Best Ayurvedic Treatment for Pigmentation On Face: Overview, Types & Remedies
3. Has Anti-ageing Properties
Rose water is filled with Vitamin A and C, known as anti-ageing vitamins. They help in preventing oxidative damage and help the skin to rebuild collagen.
It further helps in fading skin hyperpigmentation and minimises the appearance of stretch marks and fine lines. If you are looking to minimise skin peeling, then you will have to get an increase in your cell turnover. This can be achieved by mixing rose water in your moisturiser.
4. Helps Treat Medical Conditions
Rose water is a beauty product that has been used for the past years. It is also used to heal wounds, scars, and cuts. In fact, research shows that it was used in traditional Iranian medicines as a diuretic to treat many health issues.
It relieved fevers, breast pain, and problems related to menstruation.
5. Balances the PH of the Skin
Gulab Jal for the face is known for balancing the pH level of the skin. The usual ph range lies between 4.5 to 6.2. This range is often disrupted by harsh soaps and chemical beauty products, which can lead to bacterial growth and acne.
Hence, using Gulab Jal as toner is a good idea as it has a pH level of 5.5 which can balance the disruption and restore the normal pH level of the skin.
6. Treats Puffiness
Rose water can also treat puffiness because of its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. It refreshes the skin and caters to the puffiness. You can use rose water as toner for under-eye puffiness as well.
All you have to do is place two cotton pads soaked in Gulab Jal and place them over your eyes to get rid of puffiness within no time.
7. Treats Sunburns
You do not have to undergo medical treatments for sunburns. You can simply apply rose water to the affected area.
One of the Gulab Jal uses is that it acts as a coolant, which helps in soothing the skin, which quickly heals in case of sunburn. You can even apply it in case of tanning as it will help clean the pores. It is a good idea to carry the rose water in a spray bottle in your purse and continue using it at proper intervals while out in the sun.
Also Read: Benefits of Face Serum According to a Dermatologists
Gulab Jal Price
The price of rose water varies from company to company. However, it is not at all expensive. The chemical toners cost a lot and yet do not soothe the skin as they should.
You can check the price of some of the brands:
- R V Essential Pure Rose Water/Gulab Jal – 100 ml for Rs 165
- Dabur Gulabari Rose Water – 250 ml (Pack of 2) for Rs 145
- Banjara’s Premium Rose Water – 1 L for Rs 125
Other Toners for Face
Rose water is not the only natural toner that is available. You can even try:
1. Witch Hazel
It has been used for centuries for skin problems like inflammation and irritation. It also helps in treating acne as it has the qualities of an astringent. It further dries out blemishes as well. It can even slow down the ageing process because of its high levels of polyphenols.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also a great toner as it contains high levels of tannin. This further makes it an astringent as well. ACV toner has a cleansing effect on the skin as it removes dead skin cells, dirt and impurities.
ACV also has antibacterial properties, which reduce the amount of acne-producing bacteria on the skin. However, a lot of research has not been conducted on ACV, but many people have reported satisfactory results.
Summing up on Rose Water as Toner
Rose water is mild and gentle, and thus, it is suitable for every skin type, including sensitive skin. Rose water as a toner has no side effects and can be used regularly. You can use chemical-free and organic rose water as it will not harm your skin. It is a product packed with benefits and goodness.
FAQs
Can We Use Rose Water as Toner After Face Wash?
Yes, we can use rose water as toner after face wash. Gulab Jal for face is a natural and versatile product. It is used as a toner after cleansing the face with face wash. After applying the toner, you can massage your face with a moisturiser. However, you can use the rose water whenever you want.
Is Rose Water Good for Skin Whitening?
No, rose water is not good for skin whitening. Rose water does not help in skin whitening, but it helps to lighten the skin pigmentation. It unclogs the pores and removes the dirt, making the skin look lighter.
References
- Mohaddese Mahboubi, October 2015; Rosa damascena as holy ancient herb with novel applications - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737971/
- Myung‐hee Lee, Tae Gyu Nam, Inil Lee, Eun Ju Shin, Ah‐ram Han, Pomjoo Lee, Sung‐Young Lee, and Tae‐Gyu Lim, October 2018; Skin anti‐inflammatory activity of rose petal extract (Rosa gallica) through reduction of MAPK signaling pathway -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6261181/
- Tamsyn SA Thring, Pauline Hili, and Declan P Naughton, October 2011; Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3214789/
