Hydrosol contains trace mixtures of essential oils and other water-soluble compounds that are good for the body. The fragranced water is the remains from the steam distillation of plants when making essential oils through the liquid extraction process.
Hydrosols made from varieties of plants have become increasingly popular in cosmetics, aromatherapy, traditional medicine, and the food industry.
What Do Hydrosols Do For The Body?
Due to the many health benefits associated with hydrosol, its use for cosmeceuticals is linked to counteracting wrinkles, photo-aging, hair damage, hyper-pigmentation, and acne.
Hydrosols derived from medicinal plants, as well as the residual of aromatic plants, have been discovered to be promising for extracting phytochemicals and phenolics due to their natural and inexpensive fragrance.
The steam distillation of aromatic plants yields two immiscible phases which are the essential oil (containing the majority of the volatile compounds) and the hydrosol phase which is made up of condensed water and a small amount of dissolved essential oil and has organoleptic properties.
Hydrosols are considered to have valuable aromatic or biological properties due to the contained oxygenated compounds that are significant as antioxidant or antimicrobial properties.
Is Hydrosol Safe To Consume?
Hydrosol usage is becoming increasingly popular in the market, and several cosmetic products have been formulated with it as its base ingredient. Some of these products include shampoo, soap, conditioner, lotion, and cream.
Hydrosol is obtained by the removal of essential oil. The distillate water which contains a small amount of essential oil in the water fraction is usually aromatic potent and its composition differs from the primary essential oil which has a separate and distinct layer.
The amount of essential oil remaining in the hydrosol is influenced by many factors, including the distillation technique and the plant species.
Hydrosols are usually safe to consume as they can be added to water for making drinks (training is needed) or in any aromatherapy formulations for skin, and physical and emotional pain.
In addition, they can be added to recipes for cooking and baking as well as cleaning and disinfecting. They are also great in martinis and coffee.
Are Hydrosols Effective?
During the steam distillation of the plant material, hydrosols become secondary products of essential oil extraction or the sole output of plant material distillation.
In addition, the application of hydrosol as a raw material reduces waste-water treatment costs and the environmental burden as they are no longer discarded into the environment.
Further, studies revealed that hydrosol is believed to be an extremely diluted aqueous solution of the most hydrophilic volatile components extracted after distillation.
During the collection process of distillation, the hydrosol odor can range from light to intense, pleasant to unpleasant, and comparable to or distinct to the essential oil extracted.
They should be collected, sealed, and stored in a cool place in aseptic containers to prevent any impurities.
The recommended shelf-life of an adequately processed hydrosol is one year because it is extracted from an aromatic plant containing compounds that are essentially volatile at room temperature.
Flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, fruits, and roots are all sources of hydrosol that can be extracted in several methods, but the most common and simple method is liquid-liquid extraction.
How To Use Hydrosol for Skin
Hydrosol possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The antioxidant properties are important in cosmetic products as they prevent oxidation of the ingredients. The antimicrobial properties on the other hand maintain the quality of the cosmetics.
When compared to pure essential oils, hydrosol is moderated and balanced by water and its water-soluble volatile components. It is gentler than and does not need to be diluted before being applied to the skin.
Hydrosol is therefore one of the effective substances that can be used in the cosmetic industry and can be an alternative for cosmetic ingredients instead of essential oil that is harsh and might cause irritation to the skin.
Even though it is not a very popular product is widely used in the cosmetics and aromatherapy industry for its antibacterial, anti-infectious, antioxidant, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic properties.
Combined with face or body oil, hydrosol will help the oil absorb more efficiently into the skin. By spritzing some hydrosol onto the body the oil should be added while the skin is still damped for easy penetration.
It can also be used as a face mist 3 – 4 times a day to replenish your skin to give it a plump, nourished, and hydrated appearance. You can also use hydrosol to set your makeup.
Hydrosol can be used to replace water content in cosmetic formulations, soap making, shampoo, conditioner, and cream and lotion. When used there is no need for added fragrance or essential oils as the water is already fragranced.
Conclusion
Hydrosol is a byproduct of aromatic plants from steam distillation and is good for the body as it contains many health benefits that are used to counteract wrinkles, antiaging, hair damage, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
There are two phases of the steam distillation process which include the essential oil and hydrosol which has a small amount of dissolved EO and organoleptic properties.
Hydrosol is safe for consumption as it is obtained by the removal of essential oil and a very small amount of essential oil remaining in the water is aromatic and potent.
They are usually safe to consume as they can be added to drinks, aromatherapy formulations, and for skin and physical and emotional pain. Hydrosols are also great to include in your recipes when cooking or baking, as well as make great cleaning and disinfecting agents.
Hydrosols are effective as they help to reduce wastewater treatment and lighten the environmental burden as they would no longer be deposited into the environment.
They can be stored for up to one year when collected and properly. A great skincare subsidy, it contains antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which help to prevent oxidation of the ingredients and maintain the quality of the products
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you have a question, please feel free to drop me a comment below and I will be more than happy to help. Click Here for more information on purchasing hydrosol.
MazieT
This was interesting to learn about hydrosol and its benefits. It is good to know that there are better alternatives to products that can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation. Using them for cooking and baking sounds interesting. Are there products you recommend that contain hydrosols? I like to bake and it would be good to include ingredients that are good for the body.
Hi Scott, Thanks for your comment. These are some popular hydrosols you can try as a starter:-
Rose Water
Thyme
Lemongrass (very excellent in baked products)
Hope my response helps to add some spice to your cooking. Happy baking and merry Christmas when it comes.