The rose is known as the king of flowers — it can be used as an antiseptic herb, an antidepressant and has a gentle fragrance; the water obtained from roses is very useful for the skin, besides the cheapest way to make skin healthy and gorgeous. Rose water has been used for ages and is used, till today, in many cosmetics.

Rose water is a marvellous treasure: due to its antiseptic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it is suitable for all skin types. It is helpful in maintaining the appropriate amount of water in the body which keeps the skin smooth and shiny. It removes dryness from the skin and is a natural moisturiser for all seasons.

Rose water serves well as a natural and cheap cleanser. Soak up a cotton ball in rose water and gently rub it on your skin to remove dirt. Preferably, do this at night so as to remove all traces of grime your face has collected all day.

Not just beautiful, roses are beneficial too

Treating sensitive skin is very difficult and sometimes no skincare product works. In this situation rose water works as a good toner. Simply apply rose water on the skin with a cotton ball; it will soothe the irritated skin.

When it comes to treating pimples and acne, applying rose water reduces the growth of bacteria; it hydrates the skin and removes the pimples. The best way to apply rose water in this case is to combine two tablespoons of sandalwood powder and one tablespoon rose water to make a thick paste. First wash your face and pat it dry, then apply the paste on your face and leave until dry; after that wash it off the face. The combination of the two leaves the skin smooth and shiny.

Rose water is no less than a tonic; when going outdoors in any weather or after a long journey when you are back home and you want to freshen up your face, splash a few drops of rose water on the face — it will hydrate and freshen the skin with a natural glow.

Continued use of nail polish spoils the colour of nails — to retain the natural brightness of your nails, mix equal quantity of rose water and lemon juice and massage on nails.

Rose water is perfect if you want to remove freckles from your face. Mix two tablespoons of gram flour, a pinch of turmeric and rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply on the face and when dry, rinse the face. Nothing freshens your face more!

Another wonderful benefit of rose water is that it reduces dark circles. Simply mix together one tablespoon of cucumber juice and a few drops of rose water, and then wet the cotton ball in mixture and gently dab on dark circles.

Massage your lips with a mixture of rose water and beetroot juice daily three to four times in a day. This moisturiser is a wonderful way to get pink lips and prevent them from becoming dark.

Washing dishes and clothes with detergent and bleach can make your hands dry. Want to make your hands soft and smooth after these chores? Make a lotion that leave syour hands soft and smooth: combine four tablespoons of glycerin, four tablespoons of lemon juice and eight tablespoons of rose water. Keep the mixture in the bottle and apply after washing dishes and clothes.

Face packs have a significant impact on the glow of your skin: mix together one tablespoon Multani mitti (natural clay), two tablespoons rose water and four drops of lemon juice. Apply this natural pack all over the face and neck, leave for 15 minutes and then wash away with normal water.

Rose water can also be used to treat eye puffiness. Dip a cotton ball in rose water and dab gently on tired eyes. You will get instant relief.

The benefits of rose water are not restricted to skincare — it also aids in repairing damaged hair because it stabilises the pH balance in locks. This is an excellent treatment if your strands are damaged from excessive use of heating products. Take a bowl, add one cup rose water, two vitamin E capsules and half a teaspoon of olive oil and mix. Pour mixture in a spray bottle and spray on your freshly washed hair.

One of the simplest ways to use rose water is to use it as a final rinse.Shampoo your hair as normal, then take one cup rose water and rinse your hair. This will add a long, lasting fragrance and shine to your hair.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, March 13th, 2016