Understanding Hydrosols: The Heart of Essentials Kenya

At Essentials Kenya, hydrosols are not just another ingredient – they are the foundation of every product we create. Unlike many skincare products that use plain water as their base, we use these precious plant waters that contain all the water-soluble healing properties from our plants.

Hydrosols, sometimes called 'plant waters' or 'floral waters', are produced through the steam distillation of aromatic plants. When we distill our medicinal plants at our farm in Bisil and our garden in Nairobi, we get two products: the essential oil and the hydrosol. While essential oils are concentrated and potent, hydrosols are gentle enough to be applied directly to the skin.

The plants we distill include Helichrysum odoratissimum (African wild sage), Helichrysum italicum (Italian immortelle), Rosemary, Lemon grass, and Rose pelargonium. Each has unique properties that benefit the skin in different ways.

Why are hydrosols so special for skincare? They contain a wealth of water-soluble plant nutrients that would otherwise be lost if we just used essential oils. These include vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that help soothe, hydrate, and heal the skin.

When you use a Essentials Kenya product, you're not just applying a cream or a gel – you're giving your skin the gentle, healing power of plants that have been carefully cultivated and distilled right here in Kenya. This is what we mean by 'plantpower for your skin'.