What is a hydrosol? Plant water simply explained

Hydrosols are currently enjoying a real renaissance. More and more people are discovering the gentle power of these natural plant waters and making them part of their daily skincare routine. Whether as a refreshing facial toner, for caring for sensitive skin or as a natural base for homemade cosmetics – hydrosols impress with their versatility and their particularly mild application.

But what exactly is a hydrosol? How is it made? How does it differ from an essential oil, and why is it so highly valued in natural cosmetics?

In this article, you will learn how hydrosols are produced, which natural plant substances they contain and why they have become an indispensable part of modern skincare. We will also introduce you to our new Artemisia annua hydrosol from Tesana, which is obtained from our own Artemisia annua variety grown in Germany.

A hydrosol, also known as plant water or floral water, is a particularly gentle plant product that is created during the production of essential oils. It is obtained through what is known as steam distillation – a traditional process that has been used for centuries to process a wide variety of plants.

During the distillation process, the plants are treated with hot steam. This releases both volatile fragrance compounds and water-soluble plant constituents. When the steam subsequently cools, two valuable products are created: the essential oil and the hydrosol.

Unlike essential oils, a hydrosol consists mainly of water. At the same time, it contains fine traces of essential oils as well as natural, water-soluble plant constituents. This gives it a subtle fragrance and particularly mild care properties.

It is precisely this gentle composition that makes hydrosols a popular part of natural skincare today. They are ideal as a facial toner, for a refreshing boost during the day or as a natural addition to your daily care routine.

The production of a hydrosol is based on a traditional process that has been used for many generations to obtain high-quality plant extracts: steam distillation.

Fresh or gently dried plant parts are placed in a distillation vessel, and hot steam is passed through them. The steam releases the natural fragrance compounds as well as water-soluble plant constituents from the leaves, flowers or herbs.

The steam, now enriched with plant substances, is then cooled again. It condenses into a liquid that separates into two natural components:

• the essential oil, which floats on the surface,
• and the hydrosol below it – a particularly mild plant water.

Every hydrosol has its very own character. Depending on the plant used, the fragrance, composition and care properties differ. It is precisely this natural diversity that has made hydrosols a valued part of plant-based and natural cosmetics for centuries.

Although hydrosols and essential oils are produced at the same time during steam distillation, they differ significantly in their composition and use.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences. Just a few drops contain a large amount of volatile plant substances, which is why they are usually used sparingly or only in diluted form.

Hydrosols, on the other hand, consist mainly of water and contain only fine traces of these essential oils as well as water-soluble plant constituents. This makes them considerably milder and ideal for daily skincare.

Hydrosols are much more than just pleasantly scented plant waters. Thanks to gentle steam distillation, numerous natural plant constituents are preserved, each shaping the hydrosol in its very own way.

The most important components of a hydrosol include:

Water-soluble plant substances

Unlike essential oils, a hydrosol mainly contains the water-soluble components of the respective plant. They give each plant water its individual character and make hydrosols a particularly gentle form of plant care.

Fine traces of essential oils

While most of the essential oil separates from the hydrosol, small natural traces of it remain in the plant water. This creates the pleasantly subtle fragrance that makes hydrosols so special.

Natural plant aromas

Depending on the plant used, each hydrosol has its own characteristic aroma. It feels pleasantly fresh and underlines the natural origin of the plant water.

The plant's own accompanying substances

In addition to the water-soluble components, a hydrosol contains other natural accompanying plant substances that pass into the plant water during distillation and round off its composition.

It is precisely this balanced interplay that has made hydrosols a valued part of natural cosmetics and daily skincare for many years.

Hydrosols have been growing in popularity for several years – and for good reason. They combine the power of plants with a particularly gentle application and can easily be integrated into your daily care routine.

Since hydrosols consist mainly of water and contain only fine traces of essential oils, they are considered particularly mild and pleasant to use. This is why they are often used as a natural facial toner or for a refreshing boost during the day.

Many people also appreciate hydrosols for their versatile properties:

• They give the skin soothing moisture.
• They leave the skin feeling pleasantly fresh.
• They are ideal as a mild addition to your daily facial care.
• They are alcohol-free and therefore particularly gentle on the skin.
• They can be used for many different skin types.

In natural cosmetics in particular, hydrosols are therefore often used as an alternative to classic facial toners and form an ideal basis for a natural skincare routine.

Using a hydrosol could not be easier, and it fits into everyday life in many ways. Depending on your personal care routine, the plant water can be used in different ways.

As a facial toner

After cleansing your face, you can spray the hydrosol directly onto your face and neck. It leaves the skin feeling pleasantly fresh and optimally prepares it for the care that follows.

For a refreshing boost during the day

Whether at the office, on the go or on warm summer days – a fine mist gives your skin a pleasant refreshment at any time.

As part of your daily skincare

Hydrosols combine wonderfully with serums, facial oils or creams and complement your daily care routine in a particularly gentle way.

For homemade natural cosmetics

Hydrosols are also very popular in DIY recipes. They are suitable, for example, as a base for face masks or other homemade care products.

For soothing compresses

A cotton pad or cloth soaked in hydrosol can be used as a cooling compress and leaves the skin feeling pleasant.

Thanks to their versatility, hydrosols have become an indispensable part of modern natural cosmetics and accompany many people in their skincare every day.

With our Artemisia annua hydrosol, we would like to introduce you to the gentle power of a high-quality plant water.

For our hydrosol, we use only our Tesana® original variety of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), which we grow in Germany under certified organic conditions. Every plant is carefully harvested by hand and then processed particularly gently in order to preserve its natural properties as best as possible.

Steam distillation produces a pure, alcohol-free plant water that is ideal as a mild facial toner. Its gentle formulation makes it a pleasant companion for daily skincare and leaves the skin feeling fresh and cared for.

After cleansing your face, simply spray the hydrosol onto your face and neck. It absorbs quickly and complements your daily care routine in a particularly natural way.

Like all our plant products, our Artemisia annua hydrosol stands for what has been close to our hearts for many years: careful handcraft, natural raw materials and a respectful approach to nature.

Hydrosols combine centuries-old plant knowledge with modern natural cosmetics. Thanks to their particularly mild composition, they are ideal for daily skincare and have therefore been growing in popularity for years.

Whether as a refreshing facial toner, as an addition to your personal care routine or simply as a soothing boost of freshness during the day – plant waters are versatile and impress with their natural gentleness.

Our Artemisia annua hydrosol combines these properties with the quality that TESANA has stood for over many years: our own cultivation in Germany, certified organic farming, careful handcraft and gentle processing.

The result is a natural plant water that is ideal for daily skincare and complements your care routine in a particularly gentle way.