Rose water offers a range of potential benefits, from tension relief to smoothing skin. You can apply it topically to your skin, spray it around you, or ingest it.

Rose water is created by distilling rose petals with steam. Rose water is fragrant, and it’s sometimes used as a mild natural fragrance as an alternative to chemical-filled perfumes.

While there haven’t been many studies on the extent of its benefits, it contains compounds that may give it health-supporting effects, such as:

  • antioxidant
  • antiinflammatory
  • anticancer
  • antimicrobial

However, additional research on how these benefits play out in the human body is still needed.

That said, people have traditionally used rose water in beauty products and in food and drink since the Middle Ages. It’s potential health benefits may include:

Rose water contains phytonutrients that may give it anti-inflammatory properties.

Research from 2018 suggests that rose water applied to the skin may have an anti-inflammatory effect following sun exposure. Researchers suggest it works by reducing a signaling pathway in skin cells responsible for triggering inflammation.

While some people use rose water to soothe irritation from eczema or rosacea, more research is still needed to compare its effectiveness with traditional treatments.

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The same anti-inflammatory properties can also reduce discoloration and puffiness.

People often use rose water as a natural toner to help improve their complexions.

Its mild antibacterial properties may also help reduce certain bacteria on the skin’s surface. In theory, this may help some types of acne and other skin conditions that can worsen when the amount of unhealthy bacteria on the skin proliferates. However, there isn’t specific research on the effectiveness of rose water for managing acne or other skin conditions or comparing it to other treatments.

You can often find rose water as an ingredient in beauty products, such as sprays and mists, that help the skin age more gracefully.

Research suggests that rose water has properties that may help reduce:

  • wrinkles
  • sun damage
  • oxidative stress, which can lead to skin damage

Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, rose water may help wounds heal faster and reduce the risk of infection in cuts and burns.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more effective than medical treatment for these conditions, such as antiseptic ointment.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for sore throats, but you may want to try rose water as well. People have anecdotally used rose water to soothe sore throats. While research is needed to prove its effectiveness, there’s likely little risk in trying it.

A 2022 study determined that mouthwash containing rose water and sumac showed effectiveness in managing the severity of oral mucositis, which causes painful mouth sores and inflammation, in people undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.

Rose water’s antimicrobial properties may potentially help reduce the risk of certain infections.

Research from 2001 suggests that rose water may be beneficial in managing symptoms of conjunctivitis, or pink eye, as well as other eye conditions that cause dryness and irritation. However, rose was not the only herb in the eyedrop mixture, so it’s not possible to determine whether rose water alone would have the same effect.

Research on rose water is limited.

Rose petals and rose oil contain several powerful antioxidants, which may help protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can potentially lead to increased cell damage and, as a result, cell changes that may potentially result in cancer.

A 2022 review of research suggests that eating edible parts of the rose plant may have other beneficial health effects for the body, including the nervous system and kidneys.

The authors suggest consuming rose in:

  • tea
  • jams
  • juices and wines

Rose water and rose essential oil are commonly used in aromatherapy and may have anti-anxiety effects.

A 2021 study examined the use of rose aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality in people hospitalized for cardiac care. The results suggest that rose aromatherapy may improve both anxiety and sleep quality.

You can buy or make rose water relatively easily. You can apply it to the skin topically on its own, or mix it with moisturizers or natural oils like coconut oil.

You can also make tea from rosewater, rose petals, or rose hips or use it to flavor foods.

Rose is an edible flower, so you can also add petals to salads or desserts.

Potential risks

Rose water is generally considered to be safe. There are no known risks for the general population to use it either topically or by ingesting it.

The only exception is if you are allergic to the substance. If you have a reaction to a rose water product, it’s best to discontinue using it and talk with an allergist or dermatologist.

You can purchase rose water, or you can make it yourself. You can use rose water as:

  • A facial cleanser or toner: After washing your face with your usual cleanser, rinse your face with rose water.
  • In recipes: You can add rose water to teas, such as hibiscus iced tea, or flavor other foods such as ice cream or yogurt.
  • As an aromatherapy mist: You can create a rose water mist by adding it to a spray bottle. This may help relieve stress. You can mist the rose water on your wrists, face, or even onto your pillow.