Hydrosols

Certified Organic | Conventional

The term hydrosol is derived from the Latin words hydro and sol, meaning "water solution." Hydrosols are also known as hydrolates or as distillate water. Pure hydrosols are not the same thing as Floral Waters.

A hydrosol is the pure, distillate water that is carefully collected after aromatic plant material is hydro or steam distilled. Hydrosols are usually clear and have the appearance and consistency of water.

Hydrosols contain trace amounts of essential oil. They primarily contain the water-soluble aromatic compounds present within the distilled botanical.

Hydrosols are highly beneficial for inclusion in toners, creams, lotions, body sprays, room sprays and in place of water in most formulations. They will impart both their natural aroma and their beneficial properties into to your products. Hydrosols are also wonderful when used as wetting agents in clay facials. Hydrosols are also generally much safer than essential oils for use with babies. A suitable preservative should be considered for preserving products that contain hydrosols.

Pure hydrosols are more fragile than essential oils. Hydrosols do not have the same concentrated anti-microbial properties that essential oils possess and are subject to more rapid degradation. Even when stored in an ideal, sterile environment, the shelf life of hydrosols is limited to 6-24 months, depending on the specific hydrosol.

Due to the highly fragile nature of hydrosols, we strongly encourage our customers to use the following guidelines for storing and handling hydrosols:

• Store your hydrosols in dark glass bottles.
• Store hydrosols away from direct sunlight and ideally in a cool, dark location.
• Keep bottle caps tight.
• Keep bottles full by transferring hydrosols to smaller bottles as needed. When a bottle of hydrosol is left only partially full, the oxygen that also lives inside the bottle reacts with the hydrosol and begins to oxidize it. This process can cause the hydrosol to deteriorate more quickly. Oxidization can harm the fragile aromatic and therapeutic constituents of the hydrosol.
• Don't allow unsterilized items like your fingers, cotton balls or other items to come into direct contact with your hydrosols. Instead, pour off the quantity that you need or measure it into a different container. Then, work from that container, leaving the integrity of your original hydrosol intact.

With the exception of our Witch Hazel Hydrosol, preservatives have not been added to our hydrosols. If desired, you may extend the shelf life of your hydrosols by adding 2% high-proof vodka.

For more in-depth information about hydrosols, we offer the 290 page book Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy written by Suzanne Catty. Suzanne Catty is well known for her knowledge and work with hydrosols. Please see the Bookstore section for pricing information.

We ship our hydrosols in plastic to avoid breakage, but the hydrosols should be transferred to dark glass as soon as possible.

Certified Organic Hydrosols

FNWL is pleased to offer certified organic hydrosols. To view detailed information about each of our organic hydrosols, click on the links displayed below.