Hydrosols and floral waters

Organic and artisanal hydrosols and floral waters

What is a hydrosol?

A hydrosol is not just aromatic water: it is the living imprint of a plant, transmitted by fire, water, and steam in a still. This artisanal plant distillation process, based on ancestral know-how, produces organic floral waters of exceptional quality, free from preservatives and suitable for use by the whole family. Orange blossom to soothe, lavender to purify, cornflower floral water to decongest the eye area, noble laurel to tone… each type of hydrosol reveals a unique range of properties. Gentle and natural, they can be used in cosmetic care for the skin and hair, as a toning lotion, as a toner after cleansing, in aromatherapy, or even in cooking to flavor a recipe. Because they contain a small amount of essential oil, hydrosols are particularly suitable for children, pregnant women, and those with sensitive skin, oily skin, or combination skin.
Discovering floral waters means choosing an effective, respectful alternative that is deeply connected to nature.

What is a hydrosol?

A hydrosol (or distilled water) is the aromatic water obtained during the extraction of an essential oil using a still. It is a naturally scented by-product that contains no chemical preservatives. Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, are used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, or for external use, depending on tradition and custom. Today, they have become essential to a natural and minimalist beauty routine.

How are hydrosols made?

Our organic hydrosols are produced using a traditional process of steam distillation of plants. The flowers, leaves, or twigs are placed in a still and then passed through steam. This gentle method captures the water-soluble aromatic molecules present in the plant. The result is a floral water that is exceptionally fresh, rich in fragrance, perfectly balanced, free from added preservatives, and sourced directly from organic farming.

Which hydrosol should you choose?

Choosing a hydrosol means selecting a floral or aromatic plant water that suits your skin, your hair, or simply your sensory preferences. Whether you have sensitive skin, combination skin, oily skin, irritated, reactive, or dry skin, each product offers a gentle option tailored to your skin type.

Our selection includes, for example:

• Rose hydrosol (or rose water)
• Roman chamomile hydrosol
• Fine lavender hydrosol
• Peppermint hydrosol
• Tea tree hydrosol
• Sage or clary sage hydrosol
• Laurel hydrosol
• And many others: cornflower, rockrose, orange tree, hamamelis, helichrysum…

Each hydrosol is offered at a fair base price, with artisanal quality and exemplary traceability.

Who are these hydrosols for?

Our hydrosols are tailored to you and your daily life:

• For the face, scalp, hair, skin, soothing, toning, purifying
• For babies, children, or adults
• For pregnant women or sensitive skin
• For a simple, natural beauty routine that respects the skin system, both for toning and soothing</ p>
• For daily use as a toner after cleansing, especially on oily skin or combination skin

We can advise you on the best choice for your skin type, your needs, or your preferred plant. Some prefer a gentle floral water such as chamomile, while others choose a more invigorating water such as peppermint or tea tree.

Hydrolatherapy and traditional uses

Historically, hydrosols have been used in plant-based skincare rituals, baths, vaporization, and external application. Some traditional practices mention their use in relation to the nervous, immune, digestive, reproductive, circulatory, and respiratory systems. These cultural references should be explored with discernment.

Explore our collection

Add a floral water from artisanal distillation to your cart. Each product is fresh, additive-free, locally made, with a focus on quality, gentleness, and respect for the plant. Discover our product descriptions, their origins, the parts used, the extraction phases, and find the product that resonates with your skin, your senses, or your daily life.

1. What is the difference between floral water and hydrosol?

In everyday language, the terms floral water and hydrosol are often used as synonyms. However, from a technical standpoint, floral water more specifically refers to hydrosol derived from the distillation of a flower, such as rose, fine lavender, or cornflower.
The term hydrosol is broader: it can come from any part of the aromatic plant (leaf, flower, stem, bark, etc.).

For example, bay laurel comes from the leaves, while rose water comes only from the petals. Both are produced by steam distillation, without the addition of preservatives, and can be used in cosmetics or gentle hygiene products. At Boèmia, all our hydros are organic, natural, preservative-free, and produced in our own artisanal stills.

2. What exactly is a hydrosol?

A hydrosol (or aromatic water) is a plant product obtained by steam distillation of aromatic plants. During this process, steam passes through the plant material (flowers, leaves, bark, etc.), extracts the aromatic molecules, and then condenses back into a liquid: this is called distillation water, or hydrosol. The latter is a natural by-product of the manufacture of essential oils.

Each product contains a tiny concentration of aromatic active ingredients (water-soluble molecules) as well as the olfactory memory of the plant. It is not a scented water, but a genuine mild aromatic extract for external, daily use, often suitable for sensitive skin.

3. How is a hydrosol made?

It is produced by steam distillation of an aromatic plant. At Boèmia, this traditional method is carried out in a copper still, at a slow pace, respecting the plant material. The steam passes through the plants (such as fine lavender, peppermint, or Roman chamomile), releasing their aromatic molecules. Once cooled, the steam returns to water. A thin layer of essential oil forms on the surface, which is separated. Below, the aromatic water obtained is called hydrosol, also known as floral water when it comes from a flower. This natural, organic product contains no chemical preservatives or additives. It is bottled immediately after distillation to preserve its freshness and quality.

6. Why choose an organic hydrosol from organic farming?

Choosing an organic hydrosol guarantees a pure, effective product that is free from pesticides and synthetic residues, and is kind to your skin and the environment. At Boèmia, our hydrosols are made from plants grown organically or harvested in protected wild areas. They are distilled locally in small quantities, using traditional methods that respect the rhythms of nature.

An organic, artisanal hydrosol is also an ethical commitment: each bottle reflects the origin of the plants, the care taken in their processing, and a fair price, with no middlemen. Our hydrosols are bottled quickly after extraction, without preservatives, in order to preserve the natural softness, subtle fragrance, and botanical balance of each species.

Want to learn more about hydrosols?

Here is a selection from our blog that will guide you step by step

👉 What are the benefits of organic peppermint hydrosol?
👉 What are the benefits of organic rosemary hydrosol?
👉 What you need to know about lavender hydrosol

👉 Rose hydrosol: An elixir of beauty and well-being
👉 Hydrosol for hair: natural care
👉 Italian Helichrysum Hydrosol: Complete guide to use and benefits

Clear, educational content with no false promises, to help you better understand plants… and choose the right product for you.