Spring is back, the first flowers are blooming, and with them pollen fills the air. For many people this season means red, puffy eyes, sensitive skin and irritation. It’s hard to feel good when renewal becomes a daily ordeal.
What if the answer came straight from the lavender fields? Organic lavender hydrosol, also called floral water, comes from the same distillation as the essential oil, but in a much weaker concentration. As a result, it can be applied directly to the skin, including the eyelids and the most reactive areas. As a compress on puffy eyes or as a treatment on skin irritated by pollen, it’s one of the simplest gestures of the season.
In this article, we explain how to use it, with the hydrosols we have produced on the Valensole plateau for four generations.
To discover all our organic floral waters, visit our page: Lavender and lavandin hydrosols.
What is a hydrosol?
A hydrosol is the water collected during the steam distillation of aromatic plants. When we distil our Valensole lavender and lavandin, the steam laden with active molecules condenses and separates from the essential oil. The resulting water is the hydrosol. It contains some of the plant’s aromatic compounds, in a low concentration that can be applied directly to the skin.
In spring, it has four real advantages:
- No dilution needed: unlike essential oils, hydrosol can be applied directly to the skin, eyelids and delicate areas of the face.
- Soothing effect: lavender is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. As a compress, it helps reduce redness and discomfort caused by pollen.
- Light hydration: floral water tones the skin without damaging its barrier – ideal for tired complexions at the start of the season.
- Well tolerated: even very reactive skin, prone to redness or eczema, tolerates lavender hydrosol well.
To find out more about the properties of lavender: The benefits of lavender.
Pollen-puffy eyes: the hydrosol compress
A lavender hydrosol compress soothes the eye area: puffy eyelids, red eyes, a burning feeling. No chemicals, no prescription.
Lavender hydrosol is a comfort treatment. If allergy symptoms persist (significant swelling, breathing difficulties, widespread skin reactions), consult a health professional.
What you need
- 1 bottle of Lavande Bio Berenger organic lavender hydrosol
- 2 cotton pads or small washable fabric compresses
- A clean bowl or deep plate
The method
- Pour the hydrosol into the bowl. You can keep it at room temperature or put it in the fridge for 15 minutes before use: the cold boosts the decongestant effect.
- Soak the compresses. They should be wet but not dripping.
- Lie down, place the compresses on your closed eyelids and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat morning and evening during pollen peaks. The hydrosol can safely be reused throughout the day.
Tip: keep your bottle in the fridge throughout the pollen season.
Discover our Organic fine lavender hydrosol and our Organic lavandin hydrosol.
Skin irritation: add hydrosol to your routine
Pollen doesn’t only affect the eyes. Red cheeks, a tight neck, an irritated forehead, spots appearing on contact with the outside air: sensitive skin reacts quickly at this time of year. Lavender hydrosol can be used as a base treatment morning and evening, before applying your usual cream.
As a toning lotion
After cleansing your face, spray the hydrosol directly onto still-damp skin, or apply it with a cotton pad. It prepares the skin, rebalances its pH and calms the first signs of redness.
As a mist throughout the day
Slip your bottle into your bag. If your skin feels hot or tight, spray the hydrosol 20–30 cm from your face and let it dry. No rinsing, no marks on light make-up.
As a compress on irritated areas
Apply compresses soaked in hydrosol to the areas of the face or neck that react. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes. It’s quick, safe and can be repeated every day.
To find out more about natural facial care: The benefits of lavender for the skin.
Fine lavender or lavandin: which one to choose?
At Lavande Bio Berenger, we distil two different hydrosols:
- Fine lavender hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia): the gentlest. It suits facial care, sensitive skin, skin irritation and eye compresses. It’s the one we recommend first during the pollen season.
- Lavandin hydrosol (Lavandula x intermedia): more invigorating, slightly camphorated. It suits combination to oily skin, or anyone looking for a stronger toning effect in the morning.
Both come from plants grown organically on our Valensole farm and distilled on site. No preservatives, no additives, no artificial fragrance.
Find our organic hydrosols: Organic fine lavender hydrosol and Organic lavandin hydrosol.
Storage and good practice
- Keep in the fridge once opened, and use within 6 to 12 months.
- Check that the liquid is not cloudy and has no unusual smell before use.
- Use clean cotton pads for each application so as not to contaminate the bottle.
- If you suffer from strong allergies, test first on the inside of your wrist before applying to your face.
- A hydrosol is not a scented water. Only hydrosols from genuine steam distillation have active properties.
A bottle distilled in Valensole
Looking after your skin in spring doesn’t take many products. A carefully distilled bottle, from a plant grown without pesticides: that’s what matters. Our hydrosols come straight from our fields in Valensole. We grow, distil and bottle them on site.
Four generations of work in the fields, no middlemen, no additives. Just lavender from Provence.
The pollen season has begun
Before the first peak, adopt the hydrosol habit: two compresses in the morning, a mist during the day, a treatment in the evening. Your skin will thank you.
Order our organic fine lavender hydrosol now and enjoy a calmer spring.
