Hydrosols in Focus: Benefits, Applications, and Sourcing
From skincare to haircare and wellness applications, hydrosols have emerged as a quiet powerhouse in botanical formulation. At NAP, we offer a growing selection of high-quality, traceable hydrosols crafted with care and consistency — ready to elevate your product line. Explore the full collection here.
What Are Hydrosols?
Hydrosols — also called floral waters, plant waters, or distillates — are the aromatic waters collected during the steam distillation of plant material. While essential oils are the concentrated lipid-soluble extract, hydrosols are the water-soluble counterpart, carrying a gentler concentration of volatile compounds, trace aromatic molecules, and beneficial plant constituents.
How They’re Made
Hydrosols are produced during the steam distillation process:
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Plant material (flowers, leaves, bark, etc.) is placed in a still.
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Steam passes through the botanicals, carrying both oil- and water-soluble compounds.
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The vapors are condensed, separating into two layers:
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Essential oil (on top)
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Hydrosol (the aromatic water below)
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Our hydrosols at NAP are never by-products — they’re distilled intentionally, for maximum potency and consistency.
Why Choose Hydrosols Over (or With) Essential Oils?
| Hydrosols | Essential Oils | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Gentle | Highly concentrated |
| Solubility | Water-soluble | Oil-soluble |
| Skin Safety | Ideal for sensitive skin, children | May require dilution |
| Formulation Ease | Direct use in aqueous phase | Needs solubilizers or emulsifiers |
| Fragrance | Subtle, fresh | Intense, aromatic |
Hydrosols are ideal for water-based formulations, mists, toners, wipes, and even edible or oral products (depending on the plant and purity). They offer a gentler aromatic experience with broad formulation compatibility.
Common Applications
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Facial mists and toners
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Hair refreshers and scalp tonics
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After-sun and calming sprays
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Aromatherapy blends
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Natural wet wipes
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Baby care and sensitive skin products
Our Most Popular Hydrosols
Here our most requested hydrosols from our General Collection:
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Rose (Rosa damascena) — soothing, balancing, loved in skincare and aromatherapy.
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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — calming, cleansing, great for sensitive skin and baby care.
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Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) — grounding, hydrating, and delicately aromatic; perfect for mature skin, aftershave mists, and calming rituals..
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Neroli (Citrus aurantium amara) — uplifting, toning, and delicately floral; ideal for brightening skincare, mood-boosting mists, and luxury water-based formulations.
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Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) — purifying and clarifying, ideal for oily skin and scalp products.
- Blue Cypress (Callitris intratropica) - calming, anti-inflammatory, and grounding; ideal for soothing skincare and aromatherapy.
Looking for something specific? We offer a range of classic and native Australian hydrosols — all traceable, clean, and ready to ship.
Whether you're formulating your next skincare mist or scaling up production, our team is here to help. Contact us at sales@napproducts.com to request datasheets.