Once, a ewer full of scented washing water was considered the ultimate luxury in the bedroom or the bathroom. It was added to bathwater to impart a delightful aromatic scent to the skin, and, before cutlery as we know it came into being used, bowls of scented water were always placed on tables in manor houses and castles to enable guests to wash their hands between dinner courses.
Today, scented waters are still the most natural and gentle way in which to cleanse, tone and soften the skin. Although fragrant flower water can be purchased, it can be just as easily made by infusing aromatic flowers and herbs with water.
Use your floral water, without soap, to gently cleanse and refresh the complexion at night, just before going to bed, or first thing in the morning, rather than using it for a thorough wash after heavy work. Not only will its fragrance be long lasting, you will find floral water is gentler on the skin than is soap. Floral water also acts as a skin tonic, helping to control overactive sebaceous glands and to close the pores, firming the skin and redressing its pH balance at the same time.
To make your fragrant water, put four tablespoons of fresh, or one tablespoon of dried, flower petals or herbs of your choice in an enamel or stainless steel saucepan and cover with one-and-a-half cups of distilled water. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool and steep for a further two hours, then strain through clean muslin or cheese cloth, squeezing any remaining liquid from the flower petals or herbs.
Repeat this process with the same liquid and more fresh ingredients, depending on the strength and type of flowers or herbs used - up to four times for greater potency. Simply add fresh flowers to the liquid and top up the level.
Your fragrant washing water can be kept from seven days to three weeks in the refrigerator (discard if it begins to smell off), and can be used cold or mixed with warm water in a basin. Fragrant water feels best when you use it with a small natural sponge for washing. Let your skin dry naturally or gently pat it with a soft towel.
Herbs and flowers you can try are: chamomile, which is slightly antiseptic and particularly beneficial to people with oily skin, especially when blended with equal amounts of rosemary; elder flowers, which act as a mild astringent, is particularly good to use after cleansing the skin; nettle has good cleansing and toning qualities, leaving the skin with a refreshing tingle; rose petals will soothe and soften the skin, and is especially good after exposure to strong winds or sun. Rose petal water also makes a refreshing bath for the eyes, while sage is invigorating and cleansing to the skin; thyme is a powerful astringent and helps to clear spots and acne, and yarrow is a light astringent that is good for oily and greasy skin.
