Sometimes, all you need is an evening to unwind, especially after a busy week at work. It's been suggested through research that a way that we can do this with aromatherapy treatments. Over the years, the use of essential oils and floral waters has become more widely acknowledged as a healing practice.
But, what is floral water? Floral water is extracted from flowers using a distilling process. This involves heating water in a chamber to create steam that passes through these flowers. Afterwards, the vapour is bottled to create floral water. You can use floral water in a diffuser, or even as part of your daily skincare routine.
Best floral waters for aromatherapy shortlist:
Best highly rated floral water: Heritage Store Rosewater with Glycerin
Best organic floral water: Baja Basics Rose WaterPure Toner
Editor's choice: Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner
This is a form of aromatherapy, which is a practice that aims to improve wellbeing. The use of essential oils and aromatics as treatments has been around for thousands of years. The best essential oils for sleep, like lavender oils, have been used for generations to promote relaxation.
In the same way, the best essential oils for anxiety have their benefits in calming the mind. It's no wonder that aromatherapy still lives on as a popular holistic therapy method today. So, here at Spirit & Destiny, we look at the benefits of using floral water as an aromatherapy treatment, as well as the best floral waters that we could find.
9 best floral waters for aromatherapy
Best highly rated floral water
Along with their Rose Petals Rosewater Facial Toner, this Rosewater with Glycerin Facial Mist is a fabulous choice from the Heritage Store. Energising your skin and your soul, their Rosewater collection is an essential. Not only will the aroma alone have an uplifting effect on your mood, but it also has its benefits by hydrating, soothing and comforting the skin.
**
Customer review:** "This is by far the best Rosewater I’ve ever purchased. Been using natural rosewater since I was a little girl, handed down by my mother and her mother. Vegan and cruelty-free with no zero dyes and alcohol. Highly recommend!"
Pros
- High ratings
- From a trusted brand
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
- A little sticky when applied
Best organic floral water
Ideal for including as part of your skincare routine or for massaging a few drops into the hair after a bath, this Baja Basics Rose WaterPure Toner is all-natural. It results in natural, glowing skin while gently toning and balancing pH levels. This rose water also helps to replenish lost moisture for smoother, shinier and healthier hair.
Customer review: "Love this rose water! Smells amazing, is not too strong and so refreshing! Amazing for so many things from sunburns to hair to daily facial toner. I will be ordering again!"
Pros
- Made from natural ingredients
- No GMOs, parabens, sulfates, perfumes, colours or chemicals
- Multipurpose benefits
Cons
- Low in stock
Editor's choice
Premium skincare brand, Elemis, has a Balancing Lavender Toner that effectively helps to tone, soften and balance the skin. This gentle toner purifies, cleanses, and moisturises while leaving a fresh, radiant and clear complexion. Not to mention, the scent is beautiful, too.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this product! The smell is heavenly. A little goes a long way and it lasts for ages. I spray one shot onto a small piece of cotton wool to dampen it and then I spray two shots directly onto my face, leave for around 10 seconds and wipe off. Takes about a minute to dry completely leaving my face feeling refreshed and then I apply my moisturiser. By spraying you are getting good value for money as I think it’s sprayed in a good measure whereas if you dab it onto a cotton ball you can actually over soak it and waste the toner. Highly recommended and the apricot is also the same as I’ve tried both."
Pros
- Highly ratings
- Helps rebalance the pH level
- No alcohol or harsh detergents
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
Best pure floral water
uk.iherb.com
A highly rated floral water on iHerb, the Leven Rose Pure and Organic Rose Water is made from organic and natural Moroccan rose flower water. Apply on cleansed face as a natural facial toner to balance pH levels and close pores. Mist on the body to nourish and soothe skin. Or, use it as a hair toner by applying it to the scalp before showering.
Customer review: "My face literally glows!! I get so many compliments on my dewy dark skin! I've been using this for a few weeks now and I have to say the results are amazing. I have been using it 2x a day after washing my face and there is a very noticeable difference in the size of my pores and the overall glow of my skin!"
Pros
- Made from organic ingredients
- No preservatives or chemicals
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Small bottle size
Best floral water for cleansing
As well as their bestselling Garnier Micellar Rose Cleansing Water, Garnier has this Organic Cornflower Micellar Cleansing Water for taking off your makeup. Enriched with organic cornflower and barley water. Cornflower has antibiotic, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties, as well as regulating sebum production. This cleansing water gently cleanses and nourishes the skin while removing waterproof and long-wear makeup.
Customer review: "I have been using this for years, I have spot prone skin so this is gentle enough to remove make up without affecting my skin."
Pros
- Antibiotic, antioxidant and antiseptic properties
- Certified organic ingredients
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- The scent isn't for everyone
Best premium floral water
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
The Oskia Floral Water Toner is achieving status for its results. Infused with fresh, hand-harvested petals from rose hydrolat distilled water, as well as MSM, black carrot juice, hibiscus and vitamin B5 this hardworking yet gentle toner will do wonders for your skin.
Customer review: "I'm a fan of Oskia products and this one is no different. It is a gentle toner that leaves your skin refreshed and deeply hydrated but also smells really good. I've been using this product for a while now and I can honestly say that my skin is plumper and my acne scarring is fading away."
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- Protects from free radical damage
Cons
- A more premium product
Best floral water for toning
www.boots.com
When your skin needs a dose of nourishment, use this calming and soothing toner. Made from organic and vegan-friendly ingredients, a generous dose of Botanics Organic Rose Water purifies and refreshes skin. After cleansing, spray some of this and it will leave your skin feeling revitalised and ready to apply a moisturiser.
Customer review: "I don't normally bother with toners thinking they are just sweet smelling water with a hefty price tag. I bought this to keep in the fridge to spritz on my face in the heat. It's also great as a wake-up after stepping out of a warm shower before applying serum and moisturizer. It's lovely - my sensitive skin adores anything rose based and is happy with a quick ice cold spray of this."
Pros
- In an easy to use spray
- Organic ingredients
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Does contain alcohol
Best rose floral water
www.mysticmomentsuk.com
Direct from a distillery in Bulgaria, this Rose Bulgarian Hydrosol Floral Water is a way for novice aromatherapists to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Whether you're using it as a cleanser, or toner or adding it to a hot bath, this rose water leaves your skin feeling soft, fresh and soothed. Mystic Moments has a range of floral waters to enjoy.
Customer review: "This Bulgarian Hydrosol is brilliant in my skin creams and also as a daily hair and skin refresher. The scent is long lasting. All my customers love it! Super fast delivery and great customer service as always."
Pros
- Different sizes to choose from
- No additives or preservatives
- Multipurpose benefits
Cons
- Does come with a small VAT charge
Best chamomile floral water
www.etsy.com
Chamomile is known for its soothing properties, but did you know it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-redness properties too? That's why it makes the perfect ingredient for skincare. This English Chamomile Hydrosol Floral Water can be a fantastic toner, cleanser or even for spraying on your bed linen before you sleep to relax you.
Customer review: "My third order at the shop, as good as ever."
Pros
- Different sizes to choose from
- No additives or preservatives
- Multipurpose benefits
Cons
- Does come with a small VAT charge
FAQs
What are the benefits of using floral water as aromatherapy?
From the best aromatherapy rollerballs to diffusers, there are many ways you can benefit from aromatherapy. In the case of diffusers, you can inhale the oils to create a sense of calm. Or, you can apply some of these oils and waters to the skin.
When inhaled in the best aromatherapy diffusers, these floral waters create a welcoming environment within your home, giving you the space to truly unwind. On their own, the waters may not give off the strongest of scents, so we do recommend adding some of your favourite essential oils to the mix as well.
When used in skincare some of the benefits of floral water include soothing, hydrating, and toning the skin. Some of these floral waters will have anti-inflammatory and anti-redness properties to calm the skin down, like in some cases of acne or sunburn.
For the hair, floral waters can help whether it's a relaxing hair rinse, a treatment for dry scalp, or a way to promote hair growth. You can even use floral waters in a relaxing bath at the end of the day to nourish your hair and skin. The scent will also mean you smell divine throughout the day.
What's the difference between floral water and essential oils?
Although they may seem similar, floral waters and essential oils are different. In short, essential oils are much more concentrated than floral waters. Floral water, on the other hand, is a derivative of essential oils. So, they give off a much more gentle aroma and their chemical compounds are much different to essential oil.
Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Spirit & Destiny magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.
Subscribe to the Spirit & Destiny Newsletter to keep up to date with our latest recommendations and wellness trends from the Spirit & Destiny team.