The use of rose water for hair and skin care dates back to the ancient Egyptians- that is, more than five thousand years ago! Honestly, it’s very likely that they used rose water on their dreadlocks too. 

After all, the first archaeological evidence of dreads was discovered on Egyptian mummies, so it would make sense for them to use the products that were common in their society. 

About two years ago, I started using rose water on my locs and it gave me noticeable changes, primarily by making them softer. And as you’ll learn in this article, that is one of its primary benefits. 

In this post, I’ll be discussing what rose water is, its benefits, how to use it on your dreads, and how to make homemade rose water for your locs. 

This blog is about rose water for dreadlocks. 

What is rose water?

Rose water is made by steeping dry or fresh rose petals in nearly boiling water, sort of like tea. 

Once the water has absorbed the nutrients and color from the roses, the petals are strained, and you’re left with fresh rose water. 

This water is most commonly used for beauty products like cosmetics, skincare, and perfume. It can also be taken orally, either by drinking it or by adding it to desserts and baked goods. 

11 Benefits of Rosewater for Locs

Rose water in its most natural form contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. It promotes scalp health and restores dry dreadlocks. 

These are its main benefits: 

• Hydrates and retains moisture- Rose water provides instant moisture and nourishment to your hair. If you have dehydrated or brittle locs, then this is a great remedy for that. It’s also a humectant, which means that it provides long-lasting moisture retention in your scalp. 

• Reduces frizz– Rose water’s moisturizing properties help repair your hair’s porosity if it has been damaged. As a result, this helps to control frizz. 

• Softens locs- This is an amazing benefit for those of us who have had (or currently have) stiff, “crunchy”, or dry locs.
  
  I’m not the only one to say how effective this is. I’ve read countless reviews on Facebook, Reddit, and Quora from other dread heads who rave about the way rose water made their locs soft.
  
  Some go as far as to say rose water has done a better job at softening their dreads than coconut oil has. For this reason, too, it should be used in moderation because overdoing it could loosen up your locs. 

• Improves the health of your scalp- It detoxifies and cleanses the scalp, and soothes irritated skin. It has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help speed up healing for common skin conditions like itchy scalp, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. 

• Prevents dandruff- It can reduce or prevent dry scalp and dandruff that is caused by fungal infections. 

• Protects locs- It also forms a gentle protective barrier around the overall hair shaft, shielding it from environmental pollutants, harsh water, and the damaging effects of UV rays. 

• Mild astringent that reduces oiliness- It is a natural skin toner that decreases excess oil production on the scalp and prevents sebum buildup. This is a great option for people with oily scalp. 

• Promotes hair growth- Rose water is packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients that provide maximum nourishment from the roots to the tips of your locs. It contains vitamin A, B3, C, D, and E, and flavonoids, all of which are vital for strong hair.
  
  By giving yourself gentle scalp massages with rose water, blood flow is improved, and the hair follicles are stimulated, thereby promoting healthy hair growth while preventing hair loss. 

• Adds shine to hair- As a result of having healthy, hydrated locs, you’ll notice your hair becomes a lot shinier after using rose water. 

• Has calming effects- The pleasant scent of roses is an effective therapeutic aroma that alleviates stress. 

• Great for all hair types- Its pH level is similar to that of human hair, making it ideal to use in hair products. 

How to Use Rose Water for Locs

• Daily moisturizer: Pure rose water can be used as a daily moisturizer spray for mature locs. For starter locs, it’s best to use it sparingly due to its softening properties- everyday use can hinder or slow down the locking process.
  
  Those with starter locs should also moisturize their dreads, but water sprays like these 8 Loc Moisturizers are better.

• Add it to shampoo: As I’ve described in my shampoo routine article (read it here), I always dilute liquid shampoo before I wash my locs.
  
  Instead of diluting it with plain water, you can use rose water. Massage the shampoo on your head and leave it for a few minutes so that the nutrients from the rose water penetrate your scalp and hair follicles. 

• Post-shower: After washing your hair once a week, spray rose water all over your locs as a post-shower moisturizer. Let it air dry. This will help combat itchiness and dryness, bringing essential moisture back into your locs that were removed by the shampoo. 

• Hair soak: If your dreads are extremely dry or dull, you can make a big batch of rose water and soak your locs in it for 20 to 30 minutes. This is a similar take on the method we’d use for a dread detox (minus the additional ingredients). I recommend this for mature locs only. 

• Rose water scalp treatment leave-in: For an itchy or flaky scalp, you can apply rose water directly to your roots using a plastic pointed mouth lid bottle like this one.
  
  If you want an extra boost of hydration, add a tablespoon or so of pure aloe vera gel to the water mixture. Let it air dry.
  
  This is okay for daily use until your head stops itching. Once the itchiness/ flakiness subsides, use it as necessary. 

Do you put rose water on dry or wet hair?

You can use it on either wet or dry hair. 

Can it be used in a protective style?

Yes, rose water mixes are an excellent choice for butterfly locs, box braids, and other protective styles.

Important note: If you have sensitive skin

Like any ingredient, natural or not, there is a small number of people who may experience side effects or adverse reactions when using a rosewater solution. Before applying it to your scalp or hair, it’s recommended that you do a skin patch test. 

For this, spray a little bit of it into the inner part of your arm. If no irritation or allergic reactions occur, you should be good to go. 

Best rosewater for dreads

The best rose water for locs is the kind you make yourself.

I recommend making your own loc products versus buying them for two main reasons.  

1. The majority of hair products (even the so-called “dreadlock-friendly” products) contain a lot of unwanted chemicals and harmful ingredients (e.g., synthetic additives, preservatives, fragrances, wax, etc). To prevent product buildup, stick to water-based products only. 

2. It’s MUCH cheaper! Homemade products will cost you a fraction of the price (on average, a tenth of the price or less!) than store-bought products. That’s without taking shipping and taxes into account. 

My loc journey has led me to discover how much junk (for lack of a better word) the beauty industry adds to hair and skin products. 

And being that I live on a budget and can’t afford expensive dreadlock products, I decided to study herbalism where I’m learning the healing power of plants, not just for our hair and skin, but for our overall health. 

That was a lot of babble, but the point I really wanted to make was that making your own rose water is preferred. 🙂 

DIY Rose Water Spray for Locs

When looking for ingredients, you may find dried rose petals or rose hips. Even though they are not the same thing, rose water can be made from either rose petals or rose hips, fresh and dried. 

In this recipe, I will be using fresh rose petals. 

Whenever possible, it’s recommended that you use organic ingredients. 

Ingredients: 

• Rose petals: Edible roses are better for making rose water. The best varieties are the Damask rose (Rosa damascena), French rose (Rosa gallica), Dog rose (Rosa canina), and Cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia).
  • For fresh petals, use 1 cup
  • For dry petals, use 1/2 cup

• 2 cups distilled water: Distilled water is free from contaminants, trace elements, and minerals. It has a longer shelf life when compared to tap or bottled water. 

• Essential oils (optional): A few drops of your preferred essential oils, like peppermint oil, tea tree oil, or rose extract, can add nutrients and enhance the scent of your spray.

• Carrier oils (optional): Natural oils like argan oil, carrot oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and extra virgin olive oil help your locs retain moisture. They are a great way to add nourishment to your roots. 

• Vitamin E oil (optional): Vitamin E is moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. Its properties help reduce skin itching and heal wounds, eczema, and psoriasis. This is a great choice if you’re planning to use it on your scalp. 

• Stainless steel pot with lid

• Spoon

• Bowl

• Fine mesh strainer

• Spray bottle

• Funnel

Directions: 

1. Heat the water in the pot. Once the water is about to boil, turn off the burner and add the rose petals. Swirl the petals around with a spoon until they’re all wet or submerged. Cover the pot and leave it alone for 20 minutes.

2. Using a fine mesh strainer, pour the rose water into a bowl. Toss the rose petals. 

3. Once the water has reached room temperature, pour it into a spray bottle using the funnel. 

4. Optional: Add a few drops of Vitamin E oil, essential oils, or carrier oils. Remember, less is more… add only a few drops. 

5. Cover the bottle with the cap. Shake and spray throughout your locs.

This rosewater spray does not contain preservatives so it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. It may last about a week and a half or a maximum of two weeks. For this reason, I tend to make small batches at a time.  

If you’re doing a soak, then increase the amount of water and roses, while maintaining the same ratio. 

Does it work on all hair types? 

Yes, it is suitable for all hair types. 

Does it benefit oily hair?

Yes, due to its mild astringent properties, it’s perfect for those with oily hair. 

Can rose water help with dandruff in locs?

If your dandruff is caused by a fungal infection, then rose water should help minimize that.

How often can I use it? 

For starter locs, use it sparingly to prevent your locs from loosening up too much. Once a week should be fine. 

For mature locs, it can be used as needed. You can spray rose water on your locs once a day, but keep it to a “light misting”. Don’t use it excessively.

Other natural alternatives to rose water

If roses are not your thing, then you’ll find that we can make similar “flower water” from other natural ingredients. Some options you can consider are:

• Lavender water
• Chamomile water
• Catnip tea 
• Peppermint water
• Orange blossom water is another great alternative but requires a different process of extraction. 

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If you’re interested in the natural approach to dreadlock hair care, you’re gonna love my loc moisturizer recipes!