"Beauty Glossary" is a HuffPost series that breaks down beauty product techniques, treatments and ingredients so you know exactly what you're putting onto and into your body.
While a dozen roses look beautiful in a vase, the beauty world has another use for these incredibly romantic flowers: rosewater.
The fragrant liquid -- created through the steam distillation of rose petals -- has several beauty benefits that make it suitable for all skin types and conditions, according to Dr. Tabasum Mir, a skincare physician in cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic laser surgery. Often found in facial sprays, toners, moisturizers, makeup removers and masks, rosewater has ancient homeopathic roots dating as far back to ancient Egypt.
Mir highly recommends rosewater for people with sensitive skin or rosacea, because its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritation, and can help calm skin after having a facial procedure or applying too much retinol.
"It's anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, has antioxidants and it hydrates -- four main reasons why it's so affective and can be used for so many reasons," says Mir. Vitamins A and C and the antioxidants found in this aromatic solution can also help repair sun damage and hydrate drier complexions. "It's also good for those who are acne prone because people don't realize that acne is caused by bacteria on the surface of your skin," says Mir.
Mir believes the "aromatherapy kick" you get from spritzing your face with rosewater is good for elevating your mood and making you feel fresh and awake. "It's a great pick-me-up throughout the day and can be used to set your makeup," she adds.
One word of caution when shopping for beauty products with rosewater: Be sure to pay close attention to the ingredients. While Mir says there are hardly any side effects of using rosewater, it can potentially irritate skin if mixed with other things such as drying alcohols or synthetic fragrances. As always, be sure to patch test any new beauty products you introduce into your routine.
Want to add rosewater to your beauty regimen? Click through the slideshow to learn more about its beauty benefits and to shop our editors' picks.
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