Distillation is an ancient technique that refines and separates volatile elements…

I transform plants via distillation to create hydrolates for use in skincare and perfume formulation, and for you to use as face mists, room sprays and rituals.

While most people think of alcohol distillation like whisky or gin. The technique can be also be applied for herbalism, skincare and perfumery.

The process can use copper, glass or stainless steel apparatus and applies heat and pressure to separate out essential oils and hydrolates. Probably the best known hydrates are rose water, orange blossom water and witch hazel.

Hydrosols contain some of the essential oil in suspension plus other compounds not found in the essential oil due to the heat and pressure.

Indian Attars, for example, are pure perfumes which are created by a complex combination of co-distillations and re-distillations.

I’m particularly interested in distilling my own hydrolates to use in skincare formulations, as ingredients in perfumes and in co-distillations to produce unique perfumed oils, similar to Indian Attar production.

 If you’re curious to learn more about distilling there are several articles in our blog and learning opportunities here.