Aromatherapy Hydrolats are, like essential oils, truly wonderful gifts from nature which have amazing application for health, skin care and well-being.
Many people believe that hydrolats are as useful as essential oils. Certainly they are gentler, and have application where great sensitivity is required, for example with babies, young children, and the elderly, and also with animals. When you think that your body is largely composed of water, you can understand why these amazing water loving compounds from the plant will have a natural affinity with your body.
Hydrolats in facial care: Apart from their general therapeutic use, hydrolats are excellent for daily skin care. They have a pH value of between about 4 and 6 (depending on the plant), and this is good for acidity balance. (The natural pH of the skin is generally about 5.5.) Many commercial skin toners are made from blends of hydrolats, but they generally contain alcohol and preservatives. Oshadhi hydrolats are 100% pure and natural. A gentle mist with Bulgarian Rose Hydrolat is recommended for ageing skin, and has a beautiful aroma too.
So what are hydrolats? When you distil plant material you end up with a mixture of water and oil. This quickly separates out into two parts: an oil (the plant’s essential oil), which floats on the surface, and a water based product which is known as a hydrolat or hydrosol. The hydrolat contains more of the plant’s water-loving compounds, while the other (oil soluble) compounds go to create the plant’s essential oil.
Free hydrolat fact sheet: We have prepared a fact sheet on hydrolats, and you can download it here. It has a special emphasis on facial care. In all Oshadhi supplies approximately 60 different hydrolats, many certified organic. You will also find more information about hydrolats on our website.