Hydosols, the scientific name for flower waters, are produced by steam distilling an entire flower to release its skin helping benefits. Every flower has individual properties and different benefits.

The process of steam distillation maintains the beneficial ingredients of flower essences more effectively than the process of creating essential oils.

Hydrosol sprays tend to smell more like the flower they came from, and are best used as a refreshing, rejuvenating skin splash.

[tag-tec]Flower waters[/tag-tec] are better than essential oils because flower waters are lighter, don’t clog pores, tend to cost less than essential oils, and are more easily portable.

You can fill your favorite mini spritzer or atomizer to carry flower water with you- something you probably wouldn’t try with essential oils.

For dry skin, there are several beneficial flower waters to try. Here are just a few to consider:

• Rose water: this is usually used as a toner, and is gentle and refreshing. It is great for soothing skin which has been irritated by waxing, threading, or epilation.
• Rose geranium: this works well for all skin types, and balances the skin. For [tag-tec]dry skin[/tag-tec], it adds moisture. For oily skin, it can slow down the rate of sebum production.
• Orange blossom: hydrates dry skin and cools burned skin
• Lemon balm: soothes dry skin and eczema. Can also soothe and calm your nerves.
• Lavender: soothes itchiness, calming and healing

As with any skincare product, be sure to read the label.

If you decide to use flower waters in your skin care routine, make sure you’re using true flower water essences, not ones which have been manufactured in the lab and added to alcohol.

Synthetic flower waters can irritate already dry skin.

Winter weather is one of the main causes of dry, itchy skin. The low humidity caused by indoor heating can make [tag-tec]dry skin[/tag-tec] even worse.

The outer layer of your skin is made up of natural oils, fats (lipids) and dead skin cells. This outer layer is designed to protect the deeper layers from environmental irritations and toxins.

Itchy, dry, skin is a clue that this protective outer layer has been stripped away. Dry skin can be aggravated by cleansers, soaps, and skin washes which have colorants, antibacterial properties, and fragrances.

Traditionally, [tag-ice]dry skin[/tag-ice] has been treated by continuous use of moisturizers, in an attempt to replace the oils and moisture to the skin.

New research suggests that this might be all wrong.

Daily use of moisturizers can cause your skin to produce less natural moisture- a sort of negative feedback loop. The skin produces less moisture, so you put on more lotion, which tells the skin to produce less moisture, so you need more lotion, and so on. Over-moisturization may, in fact, make dry skin even worse.

So what’s the solution?

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A new type of lotion- shielding lotion. Shielding lotions bond to the outer layer of the skin and replace the protective barrier. They don’t wash off.

They contain a mixture of thickeners, humectants, and other ingredients to help your skin rebuild its protective layer.

If you experience dry, itchy, winter skin, be sure to ask your doctor if a shielding lotion might be right for you.