Winter Skincare - Orange Hydrosol

You may wonder why I put orange hydrosol under winter skincare.  Of course it's a great thing to

use all year, but for those of us who do not enjoy the winter, orange is great at helping to lift your mood.

Studies suggest orange essential oil is helpful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Orange peel is also a great skincare ingredient. 

Everyone knows oranges are full of vitamin C and other antioxidants that are good for

your skin as they are for your body. However, vitamin C is heat sensitive and breaks down

when it gets to over 86 degrees, so I like to use orange peel powder for its

antioxidants.  They will help protect your skin from free radicals.  Vitamin C helps brighten

your skin and keep you younger looking.

Today we are going to make an orange peel hydrosol which makes a great toner and can

be used for its citric acid content.

Hydrosols

What are hydrosols? Hydrosols or hydrolats or floral waters are made through steam

distillation.  They mostly contain hydrophilic compounds of the plant with a tiny amount of

essential oil compounds.  Depending on the plant matter used, there are many different

ways to use hydrosol but the most popular use is a facial toner spray. You can also use it

on your body, hair, feet, linen, clothes, car or anywhere else you want to smell nice.

They can be used as a calming spray, a deodorant spray, or an aphrodisiac,

depending on the flowers/plants that are used.

Directions:

 In a large pot, put one heat safe bowl upside down with a smaller heat safe bowl right side up on top of it.  You can also use a vegetable steamer.

Place about 5 cups of dried or fresh plant material around the bowl.

Cover plant material with water. Do not let water level go above the top of the bigger bowl.

Put the pot lid on upside down. Put a freezer bag filled with ice on top of the lid.

Boil the water and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Replace the ice in the bag when it melts.

Take pot off burner and remove the lid. The small bowl will contain the hydrosol. Pour the water in a dark bottle or jar. Store in a cool, dark place

Take pot off burner and remove the lid. The small bowl will contain the hydrosol. Pour the water in a dark bottle or jar.

Store in a cool, dark place

You may like to read:

Orange Hydrosol benefits and how to use - Cocojojo

Orange Essential Oil Uses, Benefits, and Safety (healthline.com)