Rose Water For Eyes: 10 Benefits And How To Use It

The practice of using rose water for the eyes is not new. Rose water has long been revered for its beauty benefits and also for its medicinal qualities. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins that can contribute to good eye health and overall wellness. In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, rose water is commonly used to reduce inflammation and other eye disorders. However, this rose water is slightly different from the commercial rose water you use to relieve tired eyes and reduce puffiness.

Persian scientists invented rose water centuries ago, and since then, it has become a crucial part of the beauty industry. If your eyes hurt from staring at the computer for long hours, nothing provides instant relief than the refreshing rose water. However, you must consult with a doctor before using any home remedy. Read on to know how to use rose water for your eyes, the benefits, and the precautions to follow.

Is Rose Water Good For The Eyes? Can You Put It In The Eyes?

Yes, rose water is good for the eyes. But, what you need to remember is, the rose water used for eyes is not the regular rose water you buy from the market, nor is it the one you prepare at home. The rose water that is used in eye drops and eye medicines is specially extracted for this purpose by researchers or those who develop medicines.

Note: Do not try putting regular rose water in your eyes as it can cause damage.

In fact, you should not put anything into your eyes unless it is a medicine specially formulated for the eyes and suggested by the doctor.

• Traditionally, rose water was used to cure constipation, inflammation, and swelling and for easing throat infection. However, a study observed how it worked in managing eye issues when used as eye drops. The study used a herbal eye drop (named Opthacare) that also included rose extracts. The anti-histaminic effect of the drops was studied on guinea pig ileum, and the anti-inflammatory effect was studied on healthy albino rabbits.

• Researchers found that the eye drops possessed strong anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic properties. They concluded that these herbal eye drops could play a useful role in managing inflammatory, degenerative, and infective eye conditions. The study evaluated the effect of Opthacare on eye conditions such as conjunctival xerosis or dry eyes, pterygiumⁱ  Growth of the mucous membrane or conjunctiva that covers the white part of the eye over the cornea. or pinguecula, acute dacryocystitisⁱ  An inflammation in the tear sac that is usually caused by a bacterial infection. , and postoperative cataract patients. The researchers observed improvements in most of the cases (1).

• Rosewater is mostly used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. It is used for treating inflammatory and allergic skin conditions and addressing eye issues. An Unani eye drop containing a distillate of Damask rose (rose water prepared by distillation method) along with other herbs showed anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic effects. The study states that rose water has analgesic and antiseptic properties, which can help manage conjunctivitis and ocular diseases (2).

A medicinal preparation containing rose water (used only for therapeutic purposes) is good for the eyes. Avoid using commercially available rose water as it contains other ingredients and preservatives.

Here are some benefits of using rose water for your eye area.

Benefits Of Rose Water For The Eyes

1. Soothes Your Eyes

Rose flowers (petals and hips) contain flavonoidsⁱ  A group of polyphenols that have antioxidant benefits and may prevent cell damage and inflammation. , anthocyanins, and terpenesⁱ  Naturally occurring chemical compounds in plants and flowers responsible for their fragrance. . Moreover, roses are rich in phenolic compounds that scavenge free radicals and have anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties (1). Applying rose water to your eyes soothes them instantly helps reduce eye bags.

2. May Help Soothe Skin Irritation

This is one of the most significant benefits of rose water or rose extracts. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties due to the presence of vitamin C, tannins, and anthocyanins that may help in soothing multiple skin irritations (3). You can also use rose water to hydrate your skin before applying any skin product containing hyaluronic acid.

3. May Calm Skin Redness

Rosewater helps in improving your skin tone by reducing redness. It has a calming effect when applied to the skin, and since rose extracts have anti-inflammatory benefits, it may help manage redness. It is also good for the pH balancing of the skin.

4. May Prevent Cell Damage

This is because rose petals and rose water contain many powerful antioxidants and free-radical scavenging compounds (phenolic compounds) that may help prevent cell damage around your eyes (1), (4).

5. May Have Anti-Aging Benefits

Since rose extracts contain antioxidants and are beneficial for dry and aging skin, applying rose water around your eyes may improve skin cell turnover rate and help you deal with fine lines, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging.

6. May Help Lighten Dark Circles

Applying rose water on tired and dull eyes can help to brighten them and make the dark circles less apparent as it works well for skin brightening in the long term.

7. Is A Soothing Eye Wash

Many people have used rose water as an eyewash to soothe tired and irritated eyes. If you are someone who works for long hours in front of a computer, it is natural that stress will take a toll on your eyes. You can spray rose water on your eye area or apply it with cotton pads to relax your tired eyes instantly.

8. May Help In Removing Dust Particles From Eyes

How often has it happened that a dust particle got into your eyes, and your countless attempts to remove it with water didn’t work out? Rosewater may help you out. All you have to do is pour a few drops in your eyes just before you hit the bed. Press them slightly, and the dust particle will come out quickly.

Caution: Do not use commercially available rose water for this purpose. Always ask a doctor before putting pure rose extracts into your eyes.

9. May Aid Wound Healing

If you have a wound or infection in or around your eyes, applying rose water may help. Traditionally, women have used it for wound healing. It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that may help heal the wound (1).

10. Boosts Relaxation And Enhances Your Mood

Applying cotton pads dipped in chilled rose water on the eyes after a hectic day at work is the best way to relax. Apart from the cooling effect, the fragrance of rose petals provides a relaxing effect. A study found that the fragrance of rose petal extracts could calm the central nervous system. This has an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effect (1).

Here are some easy ways to use rose water for your daily eye care. These will hardly take a minute or two to prepare and use. All these are home remedies and are commonly followed by people for keeping their eye area healthy and soft.

How To Use Rose Water For The Eyes

1. For Dark Circles

Mix two tablespoons each of cold milk and rose water. Dip two cotton pads in the mixture and place them on your eyes. Leave them on for 20-25 minutes and then remove the pads.

2. As An Eye Wash

Mix two teaspoons of rose water in two cups of cold water. Splash this mixture on closed eyes. Let it dry naturally or use a towel to pat your eyes dry.

3. For Removing Dust Particles From The Eyes

Use a dropper to put one to two drops of pure rose water in the affected eye (or both eyes). Close your eyes and then gently press to remove the foreign particle.

Note: Do not try this without consulting a medical practitioner.

4. For Calming Burning And Tired Eyes

Dip two cotton pads in rose water and put them in a ziplock bag. Store them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Put them on your eyes and wait for 10 minutes before removing them.

5. For Brightening The Eye Area

Mix a teaspoon of sandalwood powder with rosewater. Apply the paste around your eyes. Ensure that it doesn’t get into your eyes. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash it off. This is great for gently exfoliating the area around the eyes.

6. For Moisturizing Benefits

Mix half a teaspoon of almond oil with a few drops of rose water in a bowl. Dab two cotton balls with the mixture and place them on your eyes. Wait for 30 minutes. Remove the cotton pads and massage the eye area gently for a while before washing.

7. For Relaxing Your Eyes

Take a cotton ball and use it to apply rosewater to your eyes. Let it dry for a minute or two. Place two cucumber slices on your eyes. Leave them on for 20 minutes and then remove them. This helps with eye hydration.

8. For Treating Eye Puffiness

Mix half a tablespoon each of rosewater and glycerin. Apply the mixture around your eyes just before going to sleep. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next day.

9. For Preventing Dryness Around The Eyes

Mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a teaspoon of rosewater. Dip cotton pads in the mixture and place them on your eyes. Leave them on for 20 minutes and then remove them.

10. For Tired Eyes

Soak a handful of almonds in water overnight and make a paste the next day. Mix it with rosewater and apply it to the area around your eyes and on your eyelids. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash it off.

A blogger shared their experience of using rose water as an eye makeup remover. They used a mixture of rose water and olive oil to remove waterproof makeup. They stated, “Both these ingredients are soothing and moisturise the eye area while removing every drop of waterproof eye-makeup I may have on my eye (i).” They further added, “Its quick and easy and I don’t have to.rub and tug at the gentle eye area.”

The topical use of rose water is generally considered safe for most people. However, there may be some side effects of rose water on the eyes and skin. Find out more about them in the next section.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Rose Water?

There are no significant side effects of rose water. However, anecdotal evidence suggests it may lead to the following:

• It may cause skin irritation, redness, itchiness, and a burning sensation if you are allergic to it.
• It may lead to irritation and redness if it comes in contact with your eyes.
• In rare cases, it may cause allergic reactions that include symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of the face or throat.

So, if your skin is sensitive to rose water, avoid applying it to your eyes. It is advisable to perform a patch test if you are using it for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe is it to use rose water (Gulab jal) as eye drops?

It is unsafe. Do not put it into your eyes as eye drops.

Is it safe to use rose water for pink eye?

No. Consult a doctor for proper treatment of the condition.

Can rosewater remove wrinkles?

Possibly. Studies have found that rosewater or rose petal extracts may exert anti-wrinkle properties as their bioactive components suppress the formation of wrinkles (5).

What are the side effects of rose water?

Commonly reported side effects of rose water include skin irritation, burning, itching, or redness. Allergies to rose water are also observed. Perform a patch test to figure out if you are allergic to rose water.

How can I make my own rose water?

Simmer rose petals in a pot full of water for about half an hour or until the petals lose their hue. Remove the petals and filter the mixture into a clean, sterile container. Set aside to cool it down.

Illustration: Rose Water For Eyes: 10 Benefits And How To Use It

What happens if you put rose water in your eyes? Uncover the potential beneficial effects of this natural ingredient by watching the video below.

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