What is scented water
The perfumed water (also known as "hydrolate") is a water-based product embellished with bio-aromas or essences produced by synthesis. In the field of aromacosmesis - a discipline that is concerned with the application of essential oils at cutaneous level - aromatic waters are expanded to increase the physical well-being of the person, with positive repercussions also on the psyche.
On the contrary, perfumed water is usually delicate, light and fresh and therefore it does not create problems even if it is used when temperatures are high as in summer.
Production
As mentioned, the perfumed waters are water-based products enriched with aromas that can be either of natural or synthetic origin.
Distillation is a fairly common extraction method used to obtain a perfumed water from a vegetable matrix, whether this is made up of flowers, leaves, stems or roots. It is an extraction technique in which a part of the substances contained in the plant material (drug) is transferred to the water by evaporation.
After boiling the water (solvent) that contains the matrix, the plant apparatuses (cells) that compose it undergo a literal rupture; in this way, the micro-drops of essential oil contained in them evaporate together with the water vapor. At this point, the "enriched" steam is conveyed into a special refrigerant, which is essential for condensing the mixture (the vapor returns to liquid). The fluid obtained is now collected in a container - called a separating funnel - which divides the essence (oily phase) from the hydrolate (aqueous phase called perfumed water).
This ancient procedure for the preparation of aromatic waters can also be replaced by a different method, much more immediate: the distilled water is directly enriched with drops of essential oil previously extracted.
deepening
Since water (hydrophilic nature) cannot solubilize the essential oil (lipophilic nature), cosmetologists often add very small percentages of ethyl alcohol to perfumed water: by doing so, not only is the solubilization of the ingredients promoted, but the product final can be kept longer.
Property
The aromatic waters are clearly used only for external use: depending on the essence (or the mixture of essential oils) contained in them, the aromatic waters can be exploited to refresh, purify, tone the skin, remove everyday stress, cleanse the sensitive skin of newborns and even for intimate hygiene.
Therefore, by varying the type and quantity of essential oils contained, it is possible to obtain different types of perfumed waters with the most varied properties, such as, for example:
- Refreshing properties;
- Moisturizing properties;
- Soothing properties;
- Emollient properties;
- Purifying or astringent properties;
- Regenerating properties;
- Energizing properties;
- Etc.
Still, aloe vera gel can be added to the perfumed water, a substance with well-known emollient and soothing properties, useful especially in case of sensitive, reddened and irritated skin.
However, if on the one hand the aromatic waters have the advantage of being able to be formulated differently in order to give them different properties; on the other hand, these cosmetic products have the disadvantage of the short duration of the fragrance. Being less concentrated and more delicate, in fact, the fragrances given by the application of aromatic waters have a much shorter life than that of the classic perfumes.
Treatments with aromatic waters
The aromatic waters are widely used in cosmetics because they are very delicate and suitable for all skin types, from the most sensitive to the most dry.
The choice of aromatic water is related to the disorder to improve or restore: it is therefore essential to know the properties of the active ingredients contained in the hydrolate before proceeding with the treatment.
In the popular tradition, the aromatic waters are used in the form of a pack, an interesting natural treatment which consists in applying bandages soaked in water mixed with essences on the skin. The packs should be removed from the skin only after the bandage temperature has reached the same as the body. Depending on the temperature of the water, the compress with aromatic waters is used for different purposes: for example, cold packs are excellent remedies for headaches, strains and fever; while the hot ones are more indicated to improve the symptoms of rheumatism and back pain.
Types of aromatic waters
We therefore see the most common uses of aromatic waters and which essential oils are best suited to improve a given ailment:
- Aromatic water for oily and impure skin : to improve the appearance of this type of skin it is necessary to normalize the exaggerated production of sebum, altered by a hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands. For this purpose, we recommend frequent packs with aromatic waters embellished with extracts of lavender, lemon, coriander, fir or lemon balm. Lavender water, in particular, is also indicated to improve the condition of a skin affected by couperose and to relieve itching.
- Aromatic water for reddened and chapped skin : given that chapped skin needs a further deeply nourishing and hydrating treatment, the aromatic waters with soothing, anti-reddening and calming action can certainly benefit a similar type of skin. For this purpose, we recommend the application, in a compressed form, of aromatic waters of rose, chamomile, achillea or orange blossom. Rose water, with invigorating properties, is also indicated for the treatment of baby's skin; orange blossom water is more suitable for treating extremely sensitive and reddened skin.
- Stimulating and invigorating aromatic water : a good tonic for the skin of the face can be achieved with the water of lemon balm, rosemary, sage or rose. It is advisable to use aromatic waters with a tonic action after having performed a gentle cleansing of the face.
- Aromatic water against hair loss : a lotion prepared with aromatic water enriched with micro-circulation stimulating essences and applied directly on the scalp can somehow hinder or slow down hair loss. For this purpose, the aromatic waters of rosemary, sage, nettle, black tea, walnut, thyme and burdock are certainly the most suitable.
Side effects
Normally, perfumed water is a cosmetic product well tolerated even by people with very sensitive skin.
However, containing essential oils (powerful allergens), these products can still promote the onset of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, as well as having the ability to give rise to any irritation phenomena of the skin (burning, redness, etc.).
Should this occur, the affected area must be promptly washed and the use of scented water must be stopped immediately. If the irritation does not disappear within a short time, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
