Rose Water (Bulgarian Organic Hydrosol)

Rose water is widely assumed to be rose oil dispersed in water. A true hydrolate is the condensed water of distillation, and its composition differs from the oil. Phenylethyl alcohol, readily soluble in water, stays largely in the distillate and leads the water-soluble fraction.

01 · Origin

Rosa damascena has been grown for centuries in Bulgaria's Rose Valley, between the Balkan Mountains and the Sredna Gora, at 300–400m. Bulgarian rose oil has held Protected Geographical Indication status from the European Commission since 2014. This water is distilled from certified organic Bulgarian blossom.

02 · Process

Blossoms are hand-picked in the early morning through the May and June harvest and distilled the same day. The hydrolate is drawn from the still as a product in its own right. Citronellol and geraniol are present in smaller proportion beside phenylethyl alcohol, which gives the water a softer, more honeyed scent than the otto.

03 · In Practice

Sweet, green and honeyed, closer to the fresh flower than to the oil. Facial toners and mists, the water phase in skincare formulation, compresses, linen sprays, and olfactory study alongside rose otto. Fine sediment or slight colour variation between batches is normal in an unadjusted hydrolate. Store below 10°C / 50°F once opened.

General information: For external use. Keep cool and away from sunlight. Use within 12 months of opening. Keep out of reach of children.