How to make Lavender water and 14 ways to use it

This homemade lavender water is refreshing, relaxing, and genuine condensed water made from fresh or dried lavender. Considered astringent, it has amazing benefits for the skin and can refresh your home or relax your senses.

What is lavender water?

Lavender water, also known as lavender hydrosol or hydrolat, is a botanical water derived from the distillation of lavender plants. It captures lavender's aromatic and healing properties in a colorless, gentle-scented liquid. 

While commercially produced lavender water is often a byproduct of essential oil extraction, you can create a similar substance at home by infusing dried or fresh lavender flowers in water and condensing the steam. This transparent solution holds lavender's water-soluble and aromatic components, offering a versatile and soothing product for skin and hair care. However, lavender flower water also makes a refreshing drink.

Lavender water benefits in skincare

Moisturizing and soothing

Lavender floral water possesses antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, providing extra hydration that benefits the skin. It soothes and moisturizes the skin and helps with redness, acne and irritated skin. It makes an excellent addition to facial toners.

Anti-aging effect

Lavender-infused water contains antioxidants that protect us from the free radicals partially responsible for wrinkles and fine lines. Similarly, this rose hydrosol has been made with the same technique but using rose petals. 

Lavender water for skin lightening

This floral water can reduce discoloration, including dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Lavender water for hair

This lavender blossom water may help stimulate hair growth and promote thicker hair. Its antimicrobial properties help prevent bacteria and fungi from growing, promoting a healthy scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff and head lice.

Insect repellent

Lavender spray acts as an insect repellent that relieves itching after a bite.  

Relaxing 

Lavender is well-known for its calming and relaxing properties that promote sleep. When consumed, it helps calm down the nervous system.

Refreshing

You can use its refreshing properties to refresh the air in your home and freshen up linen, cloth or bed sheets in the form of multi-purpose linen spray. 

Lavender hydrosol vs lavender essential oil

While both derive from the same lavender plant, lavender hydrolat, and lavender essential oil offer distinct benefits and applications. 

Lavender water is a water-based solution that captures the water-soluble compounds of lavender. It has a softer, more subtle aroma, making it ideal for those who prefer a gentler fragrance. Versatile in use, you can apply lavender water directly to the skin, serve as a facial mist, or body spray, or incorporate it into skincare products. 

On the other hand, the lavender essential oil is the concentrated, oil-soluble portion extracted during distillation, with a more potent lavender scent. Whether you use it in aromatherapy or skincare formulations, dilute it before using it. 

Things you need to make infused lavender water

• Prepare a cooking pot with a lid that fits upside down
• two heat-safe bowls. Place the first bowl upside down on the bottom of the cooking pot with the second on the top upright to collect the condensed water. The selection of bowls is imperative for a smooth process. When you assemble them, make sure there is a gap between the top of the bowl and the upside-down lid.
• You will need at least 1 kg (35 oz) of ice cubes
• I used a pipette to suck the melted water from the lid.
• Spray glass bottle

Ingredients

Culinary Lavender

Fresh lavender is more scented, so if you get freshly cut flower heads, you will benefit from its intense scent of lavender. However, dried culinary lavender will work effectively, too. Culinary or food grade lavender is subject to food regulations and free of artificial fragrances, colors, and pesticides. You can use leaves and stems if your lavender is not blooming yet, though the infusion will be less potent.

 I love most varieties of culinary lavender, but if you want a milder taste, opt for English Lavender (also known as Lavendula Angustifolia). If you're looking for a more aromatic, delicate flavor, opt for lavender lemon, a.k .a. Lavandula x intermedia.

I have been using English lavender flowers to make jams or lavender cakes.

Distilled water

I prefer to use distilled water rather than plain water as it is chemically free from impurities and minerals that can affect the quality and shelf life of the hydrosol. Moreover, it is an excellent carrier for the properties of the lavender during the hydrosol-making process. 

Preservatives (optional)

I usually make a small batch that I keep in the fridge and use within a couple of weeks. If you wish to preserve it for longer, use preservatives.

As a water-based product, distilled lavender water is sensitive to the growth of bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms.

You can use citric acid or Eco preservative Germall Plus as they are natural and effective.

However, keep the lavender water preservatives free if you use it for drinks. Just refrigerate. 

How to make Lavender water

First step: Prepare your distillation setup

Place 2 cups of fresh or dried lavender bud in a medium-sized cooking pot to cover its bottom completely. Make a space in the center of the bottom and place a heat-safe bowl upside down on the bottom.

Cover the flowers with 2 cups of water. Place another heat-safe bowl upright on top of the first one and an upside-down lid on top of the pot. This will become the place of condensation where the vapor reaches the bottom of the cold lid and drops in the form of hydrosol in the second bowl.

Second step: Distill lavender and water mixture 

Now, you are ready to switch on the heat source, bringing the water to a boil and then reducing it to a slow simmer. Cover the bowl and allow the lavender buds to steep. Gradually add ice cubes to the lid to cool down the steam, causing it to condense. Use a pipette or spoon to remove the water as it collects in the second bowl. Add another batch of ice cubes and continue removing the melted ice until the bowl is full. This process takes about 20 minutes and requires one kilogram of ice to achieve optimal results. It's crucial to remember that the distillation process is slow, so maintain a medium heat to avoid speeding it up by increasing the heat. The remaining water contains small quantities of essential oil and many of the plant's water-soluble (hydrophilic) components.

Third step: Cool

Allow the water made from lavender flowers to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, you can transfer it to a sterile glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid for storage.

Fourth step: Consider Adding a Preservative

If you plan to store the lavender water for an extended period, especially if it will be used in homemade cosmetics, consider adding a preservative to prevent bacteria or mold growth. Follow the recommended guidelines for the specific preservative you choose.

A few tips for better result

• Check during the process if there is always water at the bottom of the pot
• Don't remove the lid during the process, as you will lose a large portion of the condensed water due to quick evaporation.

Lavender water uses

Making lavender water at home has a wide spectrum of uses.

1. lavender water toner

This lavender water is a natural way to promote healthy skin and youthful appearance. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties keep the face clean, free of any pimples or redness. In addition to toning, it moisturizes and hydrates the skin, keeping it as beautiful as possible. Spray directly on the skin or use a cotton ball to apply.

Aloe vera toner

Rose toner

2. Lavender hair rinse

With its beautiful fragrance and antibacterial properties, this lavender water makes an excellent hair rinse that helps to thicken your hair, helps with dandruff, and keeps your hair clean, shiny, and healthy. 

If you want to strengthen the hair shaft and make your hair grow thicker, this lavender vinegar works wonders.

3. Freshener lavender mist

Lavender linen water is a great natural alternative to a chemical-free home. It adds a lovely scent to your house, keeping it fresh and clean. Simply spritz the lavender spray water on your bedding, or add it to your humidifier water to be evenly distributed in your home.

4. Lavender water for laundry

Use it instead of distilled water for your ironing. As a result, your clothes will be steamed beautifully, adding a nice subtle smell.

5. For aromatherapy

It makes a great alternative for those who are sensitive to essential oils. You can replace them with lavender-infused water that provides similar calming and relaxing properties, benefiting both the body and mind, helping relieve stress and soothe your muscles.

6. For dog Care

It makes a go-to first aid spray that keeps your dog healthy and happy. It helps disinfect your dog, heal wounds and scratches, and keep it shiny and clean. I also spray my dog's bed.

7. Use it as a mosquito repellent.

Lavender water can repel mosquitoes and can be one of the main ingredients or your natural DIY mosquito repellent. With a few drops of lavender essential oil, spray it on your body and your clothes before you go outside.

Lavender water - Best summer drink

Lavender floral water smells wonderful and gives you a relaxing feeling. Add a few slices of lemon and blueberries to make a tasty and refreshing summer drink. When I visited a lavender farm this summer, I learned to make these summer delights - a lavender lemonade cocktail and sugar-free lavender simple syrup.

Use it for making a perfume.

Absolutely. Add rubbing alcohol to prolong its shelf life and a few drops of lavender essential oil, and you are ready to go. It's better than any best patchouli perfumes you can buy in stores.

Foot spray

It may help to control foot odor if sprayed on the feet.

Aftershave water

Thanks to its astringent properties, this botanical water is suitable to apply after shaving.

Make lavender spray

 The lavender spray is cooling and soothing; a spritz on the face can refresh and tone tired skin. Use a spray bottle, close your eyes, and mist your face. I like to keep my lavender water in the fridge for a cooling effect.

Make creams and lotions.

A great way to benefit from its moisturizing and soothing properties is to blend it with other ingredients and make other skincare products such as creams or lotions. I used rose water to make this lovely rose cream, for instance.

Relaxing bath experience

Lastly, add it to the bath to make a relaxing and calming bath experience.

What does infused water with lavender smell like?

The lavender water has a light floral scent, more earthy with a grassy aroma. It is mild compared to the intensive lavender scent of essential oil, and the smell will fade gradually.

What is the shelf life of this lavender water recipe?

It is best to use lavender water without preservatives within a week or two, especially if stored at room temperature. Refrigerating the lavender water can help extend its shelf life, but using it within a few weeks is still advisable.

Adding a preservative can significantly extend the shelf life of lavender water. Depending on the type and concentration of the preservative used, it can last several months to a year or more.

How to store it?

It's essential to store the lavender water in a dark, cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat, as these factors can degrade the quality of the hydrosol. Additionally, using clean, sterile containers and avoiding contamination during application can contribute to a longer shelf life.