Its delicious scent of the Mediterranean immediately plunges us into vacation. Slightly sweet and very sunny, orange blossom distills its scent from the bitter orange tree, a small shrub, on which it grows in southern European countries and especially in Spain, Italy and Morocco.
“Like all floral waters, orange blossom water is obtained by steam distillation,” explains Didier Thevenin, training director at Melvita. Passing through the flower, the steam “captures” some of its volatile molecules. When it cools and condenses to return to the liquid state, the vapor then separates into two phases: on the surface the fatty phase, the essential oil, and at the bottom, the aqueous phase, the floral water which contains the olfactory molecules of the plant and a tiny part of its essential oil. This gives orange blossom water all of its calming and regenerating properties, which are precious in treatments for the face as well as for the body.
And if orange blossom water is often found in small blue bottles, it was originally to distinguish it from medicines, which herbalists stored in brown vials. Today, we know that this blue reflects UV rays, which makes it possible to protect floral water, which is very fragile, from the intensity of light, and therefore to preserve its qualities.
A natural skin toner
Orange blossom water awakens the epidermis and tones it. Softening, it rebalances dry skin, making it more supple and radiant. It would even prevent the itching of the sensitive skins. It can be used pure directly on the skin, unlike the too powerful essential oil.
In misting, in the morning to remove impurities from the skin after the night and excess sebum.
In vaporization to fix make-up in the morning and to complete make-up removal in the evening.
In massage to promote the absorption by the skin of a vegetable oil.
In perfumed water without alcohol in summer, or even as a restorative treatment after a long day in the sun. Some brands choose to replace the water in their formula with this lightly scented floral water rich in soothing active ingredients. In particular in shower gels which prevent the drying out or in skin moisturizers.
Stimulant for hair and nails
In addition to this softening effect on the epidermis, Melvita laboratories have just demonstrated the affinity of orange blossom water with the hair fiber: “It would stimulate about twenty genes, responsible for the good health of the hair and involved in the constitution of hair fibres, continues Didier Thevenin. It would even promote regrow nails. »
Results from which we can draw inspiration to adopt new hair habits. Already in Antiquity, neroli, another name for orange blossom and a symbol of purity, was used to make fragrant wreaths. Today, you can spray this floral water on the roots before combing your hair. We gain even more brilliant lengths…
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