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Rose water: This simple yet disputed beauty ingredient is often misunderstood and underestimated. Some cult-followers swear by its hydrating and anti-inflammatory qualities, while others say that it’s all a misty rose-scented placebo. So what’s the truth? Ashley White, esthetician and founder of Skin Class Hero Studio, says that rose water is good for “hydration, aromatherapy, and protection from free radicals that are responsible for damaging our skin's collagen.”
Research suggests that rose is a natural antiseptic that reduces skin redness and even boosts your mood. Ready to add rose water into your routine?
We’ve rounded up the best rose water sprays on the market. Keep scrolling to find your best match.
Best Overall: Rosen Skincare Rose Water Face Dew
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This refreshing face dew comes in at the top of our list for its pure, beneficial ingredient list. With rose water listed at number one, you will also find castor oil and rosehip oil—giving this mist super hydrating qualities.
Ashley of Skin Class Hero Studio recommends using rose water sprays “after cleansing and before moisturizer.” You can also just give yourself a spritz throughout the day for a quick, hydrating refresh.
Best Budget: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs & Rosewater
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This refreshing mist is a great option for skin that is not sensitive to alcohol or fragrances. It contains a floral infusion of aloe, rose, and gardenia to boost the complexion and leave your skin feeling hydrated while thyme clarifies. With a cult-like following and only $7 a bottle, it’s certainly worth a try.
Best Drugstore: Pacifica Beauty Rose Flower Hydro Mist
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Bring on the dew! This indulgent moisturizing mist marries aromatherapy and skincare for refreshed, dewy skin. Rose water is the star of the show, but the real power ingredient is kombucha (fermented tea), which works to restore, tone, and balance the look of skin. It also contains glycerin to lock in moisture.
Store your rose water spray in the fridge for an even more refreshing effect.
Best Scent: Pure Rose Pure Rose Mist
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Before you start thinking of parfum and synthetic fragrances, this rose mist has the best rose scent because it has a higher concentration of rose than most other sprays on the market! Ashley cites it as her favorite because “it's cold-distilled, so the natural oils and antioxidants are preserved better. Plus, it comes in amber glass packaging to protect from UV light.”
Best for Dry Skin: Glossier Soothing Face Mist
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We all know that rose water spray is soothing and refreshing, but it can also work to lock in moisturize. This formula contains aloe to hydrate and glycerin to seal in moisture, making it an effective step when applied immediately before serums or moisturizers.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Heritage Store Rosewater
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Some of the purest rose waters come with a pretty steep price tag, but this facial mist only has two ingredients: damask rose oil and vor-mag water. Plus, it costs less than $15! With so few ingredients, this is a prime choice for sensitive skin. Use it as a skin refresher, a makeup setting spray, or even spray it as a refresher for locs.
Best With Hyaluronic Acid: Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist
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Everybody is raving about the hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid, and this super-fine mist is one more way to work it into your routine. In addition to the hydration-famed molecules, you’ll also find organic rose water (of course) and hibiscus flower extract, which contains malic acid to smooth and soften skin.
Best Toner: Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner
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This alcohol-free toner works wonders for dry, dehydrated skin. It minimizes the look of pores, increases hydration, and clears the skin of leftover impurities. Best of all, it has the soothing effects of rose water that leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed while hyaluronic increases suppleness. Some users even claim that it has improved their overall skin tone.
Best Mini: Garnier Soothing Facial Mist with Rose Water
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If you’re looking for a rose water spray to keep as a pick-me-up in your purse or as a go-to in your carry-on, look no further. The vegan formula has 99% natural ingredients and gets praised for the ultra-fine mist that distributes evenly throughout your face.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Thayers Rose Petal Facial Mist
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Rose water sprays are a great addition to any skincare regimen, but most are not an acceptable substitute for a toner—this one is the best of both worlds. Your skin gets all of the refreshing dew of rose water and aloe vera, while witch hazel works to soothe and reduce inflammation. Users boast that it doesn’t upset sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Best Multipurpose: Anne’s Apothecary Rose Floral Water
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This rose floral water is so much more than aromatherapy. It contains antioxidant sunflower oil, Irish moss to heal inflamed skin, and marshmallow for smooth skin and soft hair—and that’s just scratching the surface. Use it as a regular part of your skincare routine or as a refreshing hydrating spray while wearing protective styles.
Best Natural: Sky Organics Organic Rosewater Facial Mist
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If you’re looking for pure rose water without the frills of added ingredients, this one is for you. It’s made of 100% organic steam-distilled rose water to hydrate and balance all skin types—from oily skin to dry and sensitive.
Just because a product is natural doesn’t mean that it is for you. When trying a new product, it is always good to spot test to ensure that you don’t have any allergies to the natural ingredients.
Best Value: Rosense Rosewater
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You’ll find one ingredient in this hydrating spray: 100% pure natural rose water made from the precious Damascena rose. With such a pure concentration of rose and a pretty generous size for the less than $20 price tag, this all-natural spray is a great value.
Final Verdict
We can’t get enough of Rosen Skincare Rose Water Face Dew (view at Amp Beauty LA) as a daily addition to any skincare routine. Its hydrating ingredients are great for dry skin. If you’re looking for a more potent formula, Pure Rose Pure Rose Mist (view at Pure Rose) has one of the highest concentrations of rose on the market. Finally, Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner (view at Sephora) is a great option for a toner that minimizes pores and promotes a radiant skin tone.
What to Look for in a Rose Water Spray
Ingredients
“All rose waters are NOT created equal,” says Ashley White. “A lot of formulas are unfortunately diluted or have additives like fragrance or dyes that render the calming benefits of rose water useless.” So if you really want to get the effects of rose, look for a spray with a high concentration of it. A good rose spray may also include other ingredients that support the calming benefits of rose, such as aloe, witch hazel, or marshmallow.
Value
Some rose waters can certainly cost a premium, and this could be due to a high concentration of rose, the product’s size, or even the quality of the other ingredients added to the formula. However, more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Compare the size, ingredients, and production processes of the products you’re interested in to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.
Your Skin Type
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare, so always shop with your skin type in mind. Those with dry skin might appreciate a rose water spray that also includes hydrating oils to lock in moisture, while those with oily skin may be more interested in a more pure formula. To be sure you’ve made the right choice, always spot test new products to avoid breakouts.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Kindra Moné is a freelance writer who has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. Her work has appeared in other publications such as Cosmopolitan, HollywoodLife, and more. She also launched her own website, theStylingSOUL, which covers fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and more.
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