How to Make Rose Water (DIY Toner, Face Mist, or Spray)
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This homemade rose water spray is one of the first DIY personal care recipes I ever made—and it’s still one I come back to.
It’s simple, affordable, and a really nice way to refresh your skin throughout the day. I especially loved using it when I was dealing with rosacea and needed something gentle that didn’t make things worse.
That said, there’s a lot of confusion online about what “rose water” actually is. Some recipes use real rose petals, while others use essential oils—they're not the same thing and it's crucial to know the difference.
I’ll show you both options below so you can choose what works best for your skin.
Awhile ago I mentioned rose water spray in my post about how to make a Facial Oil Cleanser.
Well, today I am going to show you how to make the rose water spray yourself.
Rose water sprays are used for skin hydration on either your face or your whole body. You can use them anytime for a refreshing, skin nourishing spray, or you can use them as I do in my facial care routine.
Some of them can be quite expensive, especially when you are looking at organic sprays.
Truth be told, I once bought that expensive version out of desperation to rid myself of rosacea that was making me embarrassed to go out in public. That spray, together with a simple skin cleansing routine, helped a lot, but soon I had to find a less costly way to keep my skin healthy.
Now you can benefit from this cost-saving method too.
How to Make Rose Water (2 Simple Methods)
Rose Water With Petals
Add rose petals to distilled or filtered water and heat gently until just simmering. Strain the petals from the water. Bottle and store.
Rose Water From Essential Oils
Add rose essential oil to distilled or purified water.
Shake well before each use, or use a solubilizer for better mixing.
How to Use Rose Water as a Toner, Face Mist, or Spray
Once you’ve made your rose water, you can use it in several simple ways depending on your preference.
As a facial toner
Rose water is most commonly used as a gentle, natural facial toner.
- Use it as-is, or
- dilute with distilled water for a lighter formula:
Basic toner ratio:
- 1 part rose water
- 2–4 parts distilled water
Optional additions:
- a few drops glycerin (for hydration)
- aloe vera juice (soothing)
Apply with a cotton pad or mist onto clean skin after cleansing. If adding additional ingredients, shake before using.
As a face mist or spray
For a refreshing facial mist, simply pour rose water into a clean glass spray bottle.
- Store in the refrigerator if desired
- Mist onto face throughout the day
This works well as a quick skin refresher or even a light body spray.
Optional: Adding Essential Oils
While some recipes include essential oils for fragrance, they don’t naturally mix with water. See the notes above for important safety considerations before using this method.
A Quick Note About DIY Rose Water
You can basically see two main types of “rose water” recipes online:
Traditional rose water (best option)
This is made by steeping or gently simmering real rose petals in water. It’s the most natural and typically the best choice for sensitive skin.
Rose water sprays (quick DIY version)
Most of these use water and rose essential oil. While easy to make, essential oils don’t naturally mix with water.
This means the oil can sit on top of the liquid and be applied unevenly to your skin—which may be irritating, especially if your skin is sensitive (like mine was with rosacea).
If you choose this method, you’ll need to either:
- shake well before each use, or
- use a natural solubilizer for a more stable mixture (learn more about emulsifiers and how oils mix with water here)
Since oil and water don’t mix, shaking will only temporarily disperse the oil. This can lead to uneven application on the skin which can sadly lead to sensitization. I know a number of people whom this has happened to and it's becoming more common these days.
For a more consistent and gentle result—especially for sensitive skin—using a solubilizer or choosing the petal-based method is a better option.
I’ll walk you through both methods below.
Should You Leave Rose Petals in the Bottle?
You may notice some rose water sprays have petals inside the bottle. While this looks beautiful, adding plant material to water-based products can shorten shelf life and increase the risk of spoilage.
For best results, strain the petals out before storing your rose water—especially if you’re using it on your face.
If you prefer the look, you can add a few petals for short-term use, but be sure to store the spray in the refrigerator and use it quickly.
How to Store Rose Water
Because this is a natural, preservative-free recipe, proper storage is important.
- Store in a clean glass container
- Keep refrigerated for best freshness
- Use within about 1 week (up to 2 weeks max)
If the smell or appearance changes, discard and make a fresh batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIY rose water safe for your face?
Yes, when made properly, rose water is generally gentle and suitable for most skin types. The petal-based version is typically best for sensitive skin since it doesn’t contain concentrated essential oils.
Can you make rose water with essential oils?
You can, but it’s not the same as traditional rose water and caution is needed. Essential oils don’t mix with water and can separate, leading to uneven application. For best results and safest application, use a solubilizer or choose the petal-based method.
How long does homemade rose water last?
Because it doesn’t contain preservatives, homemade rose water should be stored in the refrigerator and used within about 1 week (possibly up to 2 weeks at the most).
Should you dilute rose water for toner?
Not necessarily. Many people use pure rose water as a toner. However, if your skin is very sensitive, you can dilute it with distilled water to make a lighter formula.
Can I leave rose petals in my spray bottle?
While the petals are pretty, leaving petals in the bottle can shorten shelf life and increase the risk of spoilage. It’s best to strain them out before storing.
DIY Rose Water (Natural Toner, Face Mist, or Spray)
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups rose petals
- distilled water
Instructions
- Add rose petals to a small saucepan.
- Pour in enough distilled water to just cover the petals.
- Heat gently until the water begins to simmer, then turn off heat.
- Let the mixture cool completely.
- Strain out the petals.
- Pour the rose water into a clean glass container or spray bottle.
Notes
Have you made anything with essential oils that you particularly like?
Where did you find Rose Otto?
Hi there. I had bought another company’s product when I wrote that post, but since did a series on choosing the company that I wanted to use for my family. So I just redid the post and put a link in for you there. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. You can read about the essential oils decision here: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
Hope that helps!
Hello, I just found your site and wanted to try the Jojoba and Rose Water natural face cleanser. I have repeatedly searched for organic rose otto and amazon brings up something that I don’t think is what you have in mind because it has a lot of stuff in it that doesn’t sound good (w.amazon.com/Rose-Essential-Bulgaria–Damascena–8oz/dp/B007C08O72/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414546729&sr=8-3&keywords=organic+rose+otto) and the price doesn’t match up with what you are saying.
I also know that you are not supposed to use eo’s with plastic, but you said if it’s good quality it’s okay. I wouldn’t know good quality from bad quality and the link to the plastic bottles actually goes to an aluminum spray bottle and you mentioned to not use metal. Could you send me a link to something you consider to be a good quality plastic? I look forward to giving this recipe a try!! Thank you for any answers you are able to share with me.
I think you go for heavy plastic and food grade. I’m pretty sure that is what you should look for.
Why do we add water for all these mist type sprays? Can we just do witch hazel (unscented) and essential oil? Also, I am travelling and was wondering if I put this combo in one of those travel bottles sold in CVS or Target – would that be ok?
You need to dilute the essential oils and I think the witch hazel would be a little stingy straight. I supposed you could do it though. The water helps moisturize if you are putting in under moisturizer especially. As long as the plastic is decent quality you should be fine. The EOs can eat the plastic if it’s not sturdy.
Thanks for the quick reply… What do you mean by stingy? Drying? And I was thinking more like body mist than as a face spray… I have some lavender EO and I thought I could mix the 2.
I think so. Witch hazel is more of an astringent than a moisturizer so I would see it being drying.
Hi, Can you use distilled water instead of filtered?
Distilled is like ultra-filtering. It would work fine. I have read about not using that for drinking water long term, however, so I would recommend doing research on that if you are drinking it.
Do you refrigerate yours? Can this be used as a toner too?
I don’t. Can you clarify what you mean by a toner?
Would rose hip oil work for this?
The owner of Native American said that the two aren’t good subs for each other. I will try to find out why.
Here is a more detailed answer from the owner of NAN:
What is the shelf life? You don’t mention this in the article at all.
Hi. I don’t make claims about shelf life b/c a lot of factors are outside of my control but I have seen store bought rose water sprays made with filtered water and high quality oil that say 6 months on the label. Thanks!
How long does yours last for?
I honestly didn’t keep track but I had it for quite awhile. At least 6 months.
hi adrienne
u suggest doterra in yr rosewater article, but i cant find rose eo on their site
Thx
sz
Oops – I forgot they don’t sell it. I would go to this site but it is expensive. I can just verify that their stuff is great. Maybe try their Rose Blend. They are very honest and I would so appreciate it if you would mention you heard of them from me. You can mention Whole New Mom or #90166. Thank you!
Oops – this is the company I would look at right now: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
Adrienne, Thanks for the info. I’d never heard of NOW at all until my newbie asked. I started with ess oils via the store in Ithaca, NY, that had some connection to the Finger Lakes School of Massage, which has courses in Aromatherapy.
The lady there was wonderful about respecting my fears. I’m hypersensitive to fragrances, but did not know then that “fragrance” means “fake hydrocarbon smell” and that I actually tolerate many pure essential oils very well.
I have a rep with my pharmacist for being one of those weirdos whose reaction to pharmaceuticals in unpredictable. But my body LOVES essential oils. If the literature says it’ll do such and such, then I get that result.
Since becoming too ill to go out at all, I shop online and have been using AromaThyme exclusively for my oils. They work well for me, Debbie provides good customer service and offers the bottles and other supplies I need to test and mix my own.
My newby is in Hawaii, and with shipping time for AromaThyme, she was interested in assessing the brands she could get faster from local stores. She got some Aura Cacia and got good enough results that she stepped over that “needs an RX from an MD, doesn’t trust alternative anything” line into the wonderful world of “willing to experiment and take charge of her family’s wellness.”
I’ll tell her to steer clear of NOW oils, but that I’ve heard their other products are good quality.
I’m a little confused – a newbie for what? I am hypersensitive to fragrances as well. I have heard nightmare stories of adulteration of oils. One expert told me he tested a health food store brand that said it was 100% pure and it came back as 75% propylene glycol, a common additive to essential oils.
“a newbie I’m teaching by email saw this brand at a local store and wanted my opinion.”
I sent her the link for this page and she emailed back, “Thanks for letting me know. Dh had an allergic reaction to the NOW lavender, and he’s not allergic to lavender. Also, I noticed you said I’d had good results with Aura Cacia. The brand I’ve had good results with is Nature’s Alchemy; Aura Cacia is whence came the stinky pine. I find it interesting that the Vitamin Shoppe has almost exclusively Nature’s Alchemy, while the hippie store had only NOW and Aura Cacia. It reinforces my initial impression that the EO crowd there was in it for the smells and not the therapeutic value.
Interesting. I really hope to have more on my thoughts on EO’s in the near future. I’ve been without internet and phone almost all day and have plans tomorrow -so most likely next week or the week after. I’m just swamped and trying to keep things together :).
A lot of lavenders bug me. There is lavendin which is often used instead of real lavender – you can read about this all over the web.
Just want to say hi and thank you for the mister proportions! I will be exploring your site for more goodies. I got here by googling for customer reviews of NOW brand oils. I am homebound and usually get my oils online from AromaThyme, but a newbie I’m teaching by email saw this brand at a local store and wanted my opinion. Happy question since it led me here. I am always glad to find another mom willing to share actual, in person experience with our wonderful botanicals.
You’re welcome. I think NOW is OK but I wouldn’t call them therapeutic. Take care!
I’m only interested in ess oils for therapeutic use and only want the purest and best. What are your reservations about NOW?
Hi Chrissy. I feel the same way. The whole oil industry is a mess. I have not used their oils and so I can’t say anything about that. I will say that their prices seem outrageously inexpensive. I suspect, from what I have been learning, that there is no way that they could be supplying pure high quality oils at that price. I am not saying that their oils won’t work, but I find it odd. I have used other low priced oils and have found them to be ineffective. I do like NOW a lot and like most of what their company does. I just have found that I need higher quality to do what I need to do. Have you used them? What do you think of them and their effectiveness?
Mountain Rose Herbs is great, and have excellent quality oils. Right now they are ‘upgrading’ their online sales order form, but usually they have great service!
I almost always use their products.
HI and sorry for the delay – I have looked into them and will do more. I need more questions answered. I did just come out w/ this guide that might be of interest to you: https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/
I have been using essential oils since the early ’90s. For when I feel I’m coming down with something I use 1 drop each of Tea Tree and Lavender oils, rubbed into the soles of my feet at bedtime every night until a few days after I feel better. For minor backache I use Black Pepper oil blended 1 drop to 4ml sweet almond oil, I also add a drop or two of Ylang Ylang and Patcholi or Sandalwood just because I think they smell nice with the Black Pepper. I have made this blend for several friends and they were pleasantly surprised how well they worked. Black Pepper oil is very strong and can cause stinging or rash if too much is used in a blend so err on the side of caution. My favorite for perfume is Rose, Sweet Orange and Patcholi, a total of 5 drops in 10 ml of sweet almond oil. With Patcholi I find it developes a better scent the older it gets so I try to get an extra bottle to let it age. Lemon and Ylang Ylang or Jasmin and bergamot make nice perfume blends as well. All three perfume blends also are mildly deoderant too. They do seem expensive when you look at the little bottles but go a long way and with some practice (and a bit of study there are many books that can help)you can blend your own perfumes and remedies often combining the two. Like you I was sceptical at the start but I have learned to love many of these oils. It’s kind of like cooking as you go along you learn more become more confident and willing to experiment. It is important to remember that these oils can be potent and to learn about each oil before use to be safe. Hope something in this ramble is of use. Love your blog, by the way!
Very useful, Carol! I just got off the phone with another oils “expert” and I am really intrigued. So much more to learn…I think this series is going to get longer. I might need a little break right now, though, because I am worn out :-).