Hydrosols, also known as hydrolats or floral waters, are produced through the same process as essential oils. The distinction between the two products is in the chemical make-up of the end product. Hydrosols are predominately made up of hydrophilic compounds of the plant, with a minute number of essential oil compounds. Hydrosols contain volatile components with a maximum molecular weight of 250.¹ Hydrosols contain between 0.02 –0.05% of the hydrophilic parts of an essential oil. This is only about 10 drops per 34 oz. (one liter) of hydrosol.² Hydrosols also contain carboxylic acids, which may explain their observed anti-inflammatory activity.

Hydrosols are obtained through steam distillation, hydro-distillation or combo-distillation as described above under Distillation. Although hydrosols used to be the by-product of the essential oil distillation process, many small distillation companies are now distilling for either essential oil or hydrosol, deciding which end product they require before starting a distillation. This produces higher quality, therapeutic, and mindful products. Hydrosols which are produced as a by-product of the essential oil process are often of inferior quality.

Non-aromatic plants, as well as aromatic plants, can be distilled for a hydrosol. Examples of plants used to distill a hydrosol from include cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The aroma of a hydrosol may vary from that of the essential oil.

Hydrosols are a great alternative to essential oils for aromatherapists to suggest use with vulnerable groups such as moms-to-be, babies, children, and the elderly, due to their water-based therapeutic properties.

Use of hydrosols include:

• Effective skin toners
• Wound healing
• Anti-inflammatory, cooling
• Skin care products: Serve as hydrating components in a product, e.g. cream, cleanser, etc.
• Safe for infants and young children in baths (1 Tbsp) or spritzers
• Skin inflammation.³