Quick and Easy Rose Petal and Witch Hazel Toner

Rosebush in Meadow Sweet Grove

Though we are into Fall now; the roses are still blooming here in the Grove, so I thought I would try my hand at some cheap and cheerful, homemade skin care. Here is my recipe for "Quick and Easy Rose Petal & Witch Hazel Toner":

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You will need:
2 handfuls of fresh rose petals
boiling water
1 covered dish
metal tea strainer and funnel
witch hazel
2 same size containers
1 dark glass bottle

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Step 1.  Collect two handfuls of perfect petals from your most beautifully scented rose bush.  Rinse lightly with cool water, place in a covered dish and pour boiling water over; just covering petals. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 2.  Strain water and petals through a metal tea strainer; to catch petal debris. Press down slightly with a clean spoon to extract rose water.  Pour collected rosewater into a container, using a clean funnel.

Step 3.  Measure out an equal amount of pure witch hazel to your rosewater.  Pour both the witch hazel and rosewater together into a dark glass bottle, cap tightly and shake gently or rotate bottle to mix. Store in a dark, cool cupboard. Apply to skin with a cotton ball.

Rosewater is anti-inflammatory and has anti-bacterial qualities and so soothes irritated or acne-prone skin. As a natural astringent; it tones skins and tightens pores as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It is also used to hydrate, revitalize and moisture all skin types as it balances the serum of the skin. Witch hazel has similar benefits as it pertains to toning, tightening and cleansing the skin.

And since the beautiful Queen Cleopatra is said to have washed her face in rosewater and indulged in milk baths heavily laced with rose petals; as part of her beauty regime ... I think that is good enough for me to incorporate some rosewater into my daily skin care routine!

Bibliography: Magical Powers of Rosewater for Glowing Skin, Read & Digest, 2020

    Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2020