What Are Hydrosols?
Hydrosols, also known as distillates, are naturally aromatic waters produced by steam-distilling botanical plants. Think of hydrosols as the aromatic essence of the plant, suspended in water.
When flowers, leaves, or stems are distilled in hot water, we get two products- essential oils and hydrosols. While essential oils are well-known for their concentrated aroma and potent properties, hydrosols are much gentler in nature and carry milder aroma and therapeutic benefits. They capture the water-soluble components of the plant, along with tiny droplets of essential oils, making them safe to use directly on the skin without dilution. This makes them suitable for everyone, even those with sensitive skin.
The Making of Pure Hydrosols
Hydrosols are made through a centuries-old process rooted in ancient perfumery traditions. Freshly harvested plant materials are handpicked for the distillation process to ensure maximum potency. Sometimes, the plant material is also chopped to increase the surface area and allow more compounds to be captured.
The prepared plant material is submerged in a large vessel filled with water which is heated to produce steam. As the temperature rises, the steam passes through the plant material, causing the plant cells to burst and release their aromatic compounds. The steam, now carrying these compounds, travels up to the condenser where it cools down and condenses back into liquid form.
The condensed liquid, a mixture of essential oil and water, is then collected in a separate container. Due to differences in density, the essential oil floats on top, while the hydrosol settles at the bottom. This hydrosol is separated and then filtered to remove any remaining impurities. Once filtered, it is bottled in a glass jar to maintain its freshness and efficacy.
How To Identify Fake Hydrosols?
The market has been flooded with cheaper, deceptive products being sold as hydrosols. To identify if the hydrosol is real or fake, you need to read the ingredient list carefully. Pure hydrosols are made via steam–distillation and only have one ingredient. For eg. If you are buying rose hydrosol, steam-distilled rose water should be the only ingredient on the label. There should be no additives like alcohol, colours, fragrances or preservatives. Due to the absence of additives, pure hydrosols will also typically have a shorter shelf, around 6 months to 1 year.
At Vriksha Veda, we proudly partner with small farmers to bring you a variety of 100% pure, premium hydrosols. Crafted in small batches, our hydrosols are also bottled in dark glass to preserve their freshness and potency.
Benefits of Hydrosols And Which One Should You Buy?
Hydrosols are incredibly versatile which makes them a wonderful addition to your beauty wellness routine. They are super hydrating and are best used as facial toners or scalp treatments. You can even use them to replace plain water in your DIY face mask and hair mask recipes. The subtle scent of hydrosols will lift your mood and turn your beauty routine into a relaxing and rejuvenating self-care ritual.
Here’s a list of hydrosols we offer at Vriksha Veda and their unique benefits to help you make the perfect choice:
- Curry Leaves Hydrosol: It helps promote hair growth, prevents premature greying of hair, and reduces dandruff. You can also use it as a facial toner for acne-prone skin as it has antimicrobial properties.
- Rosemary Hydrosol: This hydrosol is best suited for people suffering from hair fall, dandruff and itchy scalp. It will also reduce scalp irritation and promote faster hair growth.
Shop Vriksha Veda’s hydrosols today to elevate your beauty and wellness routine with the finest natural ingredients.
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