Hydrolates: The Hidden Treasure of Distillation
Called "by-products," they are actually extraordinary natural remedies — delicate, versatile, and safe even for children
In this article
We recently received a question that made us reflect. A mother asked what she could give her 9-year-old daughter to alleviate the annoying symptoms of spring allergies: sneezing, but especially that itching in the eyes that makes spring days so difficult.
A child with spring allergies, sneezing, and eye discomfort. What essential oils can I give her?
— Question received via chat
Our answer was: not essential oils. Not for that situation, not for that child. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts — wonderful, but to be used with great care, especially near the eyes and with children.
Our answer was: hydrolats. And from that question, this article was born — because hydrolats are probably the most underrated product in aromatherapy, and they deserve to be known.
What Are Hydrolats?
Hydrolats — also called floral waters, distilled waters, or aromatic hydrolats — are the aromatic waters obtained during the steam distillation of plants. They are, in a sense, the water that has "lived" inside the plant during the essential oil extraction process.
They contain the water-soluble aromatic molecules of the plant — those that dissolve in water rather than oil — plus traces of the molecules that make up the essential oil. The result is a product with a delicate, refined scent, often more faithful to the fresh plant than the essential oil itself.
How They Are Born: Distillation
To understand the value of hydrolats, it's helpful to briefly understand how steam distillation works — the primary method of extracting essential oils.
Raw material
Fresh plant
Flowers, leaves, roots, wood
Process
Steam
Steam passes through the plant
Condensation
Cooling
Steam returns to liquid
Result 1
Hydrolat
Aromatic water
Result 2
Essential Oil
Liposoluble fraction
As you can see, hydrolat and essential oil are the two products of the same distillation. There is no waste product and a main product: there are two fractions with different characteristics. For centuries, the industry has prioritized essential oil — more concentrated, easier to transport, with a more established market — relegating hydrolat to a "by-product." A mistake we are slowly correcting.
Hydrolat vs. Essential Oil: What's the Difference?
| Characteristic | Hydrolat | Essential Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | Very low (0.02–0.05%) | Very high (100% pure) |
| Components | Water-soluble molecules + traces of EO | Concentrated fat-soluble molecules |
| Skin use | Direct, without dilution | Always diluted in carrier oil |
| Use near eyes | Yes (with due caution) | Never |
| Children | Generally safe | Requires great caution |
| Scent | Delicate, close to fresh plant | Intense and concentrated |
| Storage | 6–18 months (in refrigerator) | 2–5 years (in the dark) |
The Five EUODIA Hydrolats
Let's now look in detail at the five hydrolats in our Oshadhi selection, with their characteristics, properties, and practical uses.
Chamomile Hydrolat
The sweetest, safest, and oldest family remedy
€ 15,00 · 100 ml · Organic
Let's return to our customer's question. If there is an ideal hydrolat for a child with spring allergies and irritated eyes, it is this one. Chamomile hydrolat is probably the oldest natural remedy for eye irritations: compresses of chamomile water on the eyes are a gesture passed down from generation to generation, and science confirms its properties.
It contains alpha-bisabolol oxide and water-soluble chamazulene — molecules with strong anti-inflammatory, calming, and anti-allergenic properties. It is very delicate, non-irritating, and among all hydrolats, it has the longest tradition of pediatric use.
Note: the cited studies refer to chamomile extracts and creams. The hydrolat shares the same active molecules in water-soluble form, but specific scientific research on hydrolats is still limited.
How to use it:
Compress on irritated eyes Soothing after-sun spray Toner for sensitive skin Compress for insect bites Pillow spray for childrenRose Hydrolat
Affordable luxury, the queen of natural beauty
€ 15,00 · 100 ml · Organic
Rose water is perhaps the best-known hydrolat in the world, used for millennia in cosmetics, cooking, and beauty rituals. Damask Rose hydrolat is obtained from the distillation of the same petals from which the precious rose essential oil — one of the most expensive in the world — is extracted. The fact that the hydrolat retains many of its properties at a fraction of the price is, literally, a hidden value.
Rich in water-soluble geraniol and citronellol, it has a toning, moisturizing, slightly astringent, and calming action — both on the skin and on mood. In psycho-aromatherapy, it is associated with the heart chakra, self-kindness, and emotional openness.
How to use it:
Face toner after cleanser Refreshing spray Natural make-up setting spray Spray for dry hair Morning ritual Flavoring for sweets and dessertsNeroli Hydrolat
The scent of serenity, an ally for the nervous system
€ 15,00 · 100 ml · Organic
Neroli is bitter orange blossom (Citrus aurantium), and its hydrolat is one of the most precious and rare. Traditionally used in Tunisia and Morocco as orange blossom water, it has been an ingredient in Mediterranean pastry and female well-being rituals for centuries. In aromatherapy, neroli is synonymous with deep calm, reassurance, and support in anxiety crises.
It contains water-soluble linalool and methyl anthranilate — molecules with anxiolytic, mild sedative, and autonomous nervous system regulating properties. Particularly indicated in moments of acute stress, emotional tachycardia, and difficulty falling asleep.
How to use it:
Spray on the nape of the neck during moments of anxiety Toner for combination skin Pillow spray Pre-sleep ritual Flavoring for sweetsLavender Hydrolat
The most versatile — always keep it at home
€ 15,00 · 100 ml · Organic
If we had to recommend just one hydrolat for those wanting to enter this world, we would say: start with lavender. Its versatility is extraordinary. Soothing, healing, mildly antimicrobial, calming — lavender hydrolat covers so many daily situations that it almost becomes a natural first-aid kit.
In this article, I discuss Lavender Hydrolat in the treatment of herpes zoster.
It contains linalool and linalyl acetate in water-soluble form. It has the same sweetness as essential oil but in an even more accessible form — safe for children's and adults' skin, on sunburns, minor irritations, as an evening room spray.
How to use it:
Spray on sunburns After insect bites Daily facial toner Pillow spray for sleep Minor abrasions and irritations Relaxing room sprayRosemary Hydrolat
Energy, mental clarity and hair beauty
€ 15.00 · 100 ml · Organic
Rosemary is the hydrolat of vitality. While its siblings focus on relaxation and skin care, rosemary looks in another direction: stimulation, energy, concentration. It's the hydrolat for mornings, for days of mental fog, for those who study or work intensely.
In terms of beauty, rosemary hydrolat has earned an excellent reputation as a scalp tonic — capable of stimulating microcirculation and strengthening hair structure. It contains water-soluble rosmarinic acid and camphor derivatives, with stimulating, antioxidant, and toning properties.
How to use it:
Scalp tonic Final hair rinse Spray on nape for concentration Oily/impure skin Spray for tired legsHow to Use Hydrolats in Practice
The beauty of hydrolats also lies in their ease of use. They don't require dilution, don't stain, and aren't greasy. Here are the main ways to use them:
- Direct spray on skin — the simplest way. Mist on face, body, or hair depending on the hydrolat.
- Compress — saturated cotton pad applied locally. Ideal for eyes (chamomile), irritations (lavender), small wounds.
- Facial toner — after cleansing, in place of traditional alcoholic toners. Balances skin pH without damaging the hydrolipidic film.
- Room and pillow spray — to delicately scent the air or fabric, creating an aromatic atmosphere without the potency of essential oils.
- Added to bath water — 50–100 ml in a full tub for an aromatic bath accessible to the whole family.
- In cooking — Rose and neroli are used in pastries, desserts, cocktails, and herbal teas for a delicate and natural aromatic touch.
Storage and Quality
Unlike essential oils, hydrolats contain water and are therefore subject to bacterial oxidation. Here are some fundamental rules for proper storage:
- In the refrigerator after opening — significantly extends shelf life and enhances the decongestant effect on eyes and skin.
- Away from direct light — prefer dark glass bottles.
- Within 12 months of opening — if turbidity, unusual odors, or mold appear, stop using them.
- Attention to quality — beware of products with preservatives, added alcohol, or the generic term "floral water." A true hydrolat comes from distillation, not infusion.
Discover EUODIA Hydrolats
Chamomile, Rose, Neroli, Lavender, and Rosemary — five high-quality aromatic waters from Essenthya for every need.
Go to collection →One Last Thought
That mother who wrote to us was looking for a solution for her daughter. The right answer wasn't concentrated essential oil — it was something milder, more direct, safer. Something that aromatherapy has always had, but which we often forget to appreciate.
Hydrolats remind us that nature produces no waste. What seemed secondary is, in many cases, exactly what we need.
Practical Reference Dosages
One of the most frequent questions: how much to use? Here are general guidelines for main uses.
| Use | Quantity | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Irritated eye compress | 2–3 sprays on cotton pad | 2–3 times a day |
| Facial toner | 2–4 sprays on face | Morning and evening |
| Pillow/room spray | 2–3 sprays | Before sleeping |
| Aromatic bath | 50–100 ml in full tub | As desired |
| Scalp tonic | 5–8 sprays on roots | 2–3 times a week |
| Final hair rinse | 2–3 tablespoons in 1 liter of water | After every shampoo |
| Nape spray (neroli, anti-anxiety) | 2 sprays | As needed |
Questions about Hydrolats
Are hydrolats safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, thanks to their gentleness, they are often recommended even for reactive skin.
Can they be used instead of essential oils?
No, they have a milder action. They are complementary, not substitutes.
How should hydrolats be stored?
Preferably in a cool place, away from light and heat. During warm months, refrigeration is recommended.
Sources and Scientific References
The claims regarding chamomile's properties are supported by the following scientific publications. The studies concern extracts and topical preparations of chamomile; specific research on hydrolats is still in development.
- Charousaei F. et al. — Proof of efficacy of Kamillosan® cream in atopic eczema. PubMed PMID: 10799352. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10799352
- Anti-inflammatory effect of chamomile from randomized clinical trials. PMC12269088. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC12269088
- Health Benefits, Pharmacological Effects of α-Bisabolol. PMC9002489. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC9002489
- Effect of German chamomile oil on atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations. PMC2833428. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC2833428
- Therapeutic effects of chamomile volatile oil nanoemulsion. PubMed PMID: 39111460. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39111460
- Mechanism Action of German Chamomile in Treatment of Eczema. PMC8515037. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PMC8515037