Rose Water Can Give You Shiny, Healthy Hair That Smells Amazing Too
One thing we know about H2O is that our bodies crave it inside and out—and when it’s soup-ed up with a powerfully hydrating ingredient, be it cucumber water, rice water, or aloe vera water, its skin and hair beautifying benefits get kicked up a notch. Serving up our latest ingredient obsession: rose water. And (yup) it’s as luxurious as it sounds.
The scalp-saving, frizz-taming, strand-silkening powers it holds make rose water nothing short of a magical potion for your hair. Nope, it’s not just a buzzy TikTok trend or a pricey new elixir. Using rose water to nourish the body from head to toe has been popular for ages dating back to its origins in the Middle East. That means it’s tried and true. Plus, it’s backed up by science. According to one study, roses, the star ingredients in rose water, are packed with phenolic compounds, which carry with them an array of hair care helpers such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and even mood-boosters.
Thick, shiny hair, a healthy scalp, and strands that smell amazing? We’re into it. We chatted with Dendy Engleman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at the Shafer Clinic in New York City, all about the benefits of rose water for your hair and how you can incorporate it into your beauty routine.
Meet the Expert
Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board certified cosmetic dermatologist at Shafer Clinic, NYC.
4 Ways Rose Water Benefits Your Hair
It soothes your scalp.
Rose water’s inherent anti-inflammatory properties can help calm irritation caused by a dry, itchy scalp (and can even help ease the discomfort of psoriasis and eczema). “It’s like a natural hair treatment packed with antioxidants and vitamins to promote healing,” says Dr. Engelman. Bonus: It also works as a mild astringent to help clear up build-up for a flake-free scalp.
It cuts grease.
Got a slick scalp? Rose water works to ease oiliness too. It turns out that drying out an oily scalp will only up the grease factor. Applying hydrating rose water to your scalp helps curb oiliness without sending your sebaceous (oil-producing) glands into overdrive, according to Engleman. Rose water helps create balance by locking in much-needed moisture, reducing scalp residue and boosting volume (perfect for capturing those slo-mo hair flips).
It boosts shine.
Hydrated hair is happy hair (and the key to shiny strands). Rose water has the ability to condition lackluster, dry hair without weighing it down. Plus, it’s a great natural alternative to slathering on a shine serum—even though we love those too!
It fights frizz.
If you’ve got unruly curls or need to tame some wild flyaways, rose water acts as a superb (and all natural) smoother. When spritzed, it polishes frizz with the built-in bonus of a soothing scent. We’ve got a great derm-approved DIY recipe below.
How to Add Rose Water to Your Hair Care Routine
What’s great about rose water is that it’s super versatile (so get creative!). You can use it pretty much any way you want, according to Engleman. Drop some rose water on a cotton pad and dab gently on your scalp to treat dry spots. Mix some with your shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask to enhance your wash (and add a mood-boosting scent). Store some in a spray bottle and spritz on damp or dry hair as you style. You can even spray rose water onto a brush and comb through dry hair for a quick style refresh.
The Easy Rose Water for Hair DIY You Need
What you’ll need:
3 freshly picked or organic roses (chemically treated ones can irritate your scalp)
Distilled water
Spritzer bottle
What to do:
Pluck ½ cup to 1 cup of organic rose petals from their stems.
Gently rinse them in water and place them in a pot.
Add just enough distilled water to cover the petals.
Turn the heat to medium. Once the water starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.
“Let the rose petals 'cook' for 15-30 minutes or until they lose their color,” says Dr. Engelman.
Shut the heat off, let it cool, strain the water, and discard the rose petals.
Store your batch of homemade rose water in a sealed jar or spray bottle and spritz it on your scalp, mix it with shampoo and conditioner - apply it however you want.
Can Everyone Benefit from Rose Water?
Curly, coily, straight—Dr. Engleman tells us that rose water is kind to all hair types (just steer clear if you’ve got an allergy to roses). Like all ingredients, we suggest doing a patch test before. If all is clear, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the hair-helping benefits of rose water for a long time to come.
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