5 medicinal plants, for your skin.

Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, is recognisable by its flowers with yellow centres surrounded by white petals. It should not be confused with German chamomile: behind the same common name, the species and extracts can differ. On a skincare product, the ingredient list allows you to know which plant was used.

In the bathroom, we choose chamomile hydrosol for its gentle action and the comfort it brings to skin that feels tight. A fine mist after cleansing, followed by a suitable cream: a short routine, without over-applying products.

The Apoticari reference. The chamomile hydrosol accompanies facial cleansing. To continue your routine, the chamomile moisturising cream combines botanical hydrosol and plant oils in a melting texture.

Its long leaves release a lemony scent when crushed. Lemon verbena, Aloysia citrodora, is native to South America. It has found a special place in the gardens and traditions of the Velay region; however, it is not a species native to Auvergne.

Its hydrosol is a refreshing touch that can be used in the morning, before applying your skincare, or throughout the day. The choice also comes down to the pleasure of a botanical scent: a routine works best when you enjoy the experience.

To choose for: a fresh and aromatic daily mist. The lemon verbena hydrosol is used with a few light sprays. For a more enveloping texture, our verbena face balm provides an additional skincare step.

Peppermint, Mentha × piperita, has a distinct olfactory identity. It is distinct from spearmint, Mentha spicata, which is used in other formulations. The botanical name is a useful guide for identifying the plant from one bottle to the next.

Its hydrosol is popular primarily for its sensation of freshness. After gentle cleansing, a light mist helps to restore that invigorating feeling. The fresh sensation does not mean that the skin needs to be cleansed more; there is no need to follow it with repeated scrubs or harsh products.

The routine: spray the peppermint hydrosol on the face, with eyes closed, following the bottle's instructions. If your skin is easily reactive, introduce any new skincare product gradually.

The cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, bears flowers of an intense blue. Its hydrosol occupies a unique place in facial routines, particularly when seeking freshness and comfort around the eye area.

In this delicate zone, the application method matters as much as the product: apply without rubbing or pulling the skin. A cosmetic hydrosol is for external use; it is not to be put into the eyes and does not replace eye drops.

In the routine: discover the cornflower hydrosol and follow its usage instructions. For a treatment specifically formulated for this area, the eye contour fluid combines cornflower, spearmint, and hyaluronic acid.

Common sage, Salvia officinalis, is an aromatic plant with grey-green leaves. There are many types of sage: once again, the species and the form of the extract matter more than the name of the plant alone.

Sage hydrosol has its place in the routines of those with combination to oily skin, after cleansing and before a moisturiser. Skin that shines can also experience discomfort: the right balance consists of cleansing gently, then maintaining a suitable skincare regimen.

The reference: a few sprays of sage hydrosol are enough to integrate the plant into this ritual. This is a cosmetic product, with no claims to treat acne or alter hormonal balance.

A hydrosol (hydrolat) is the aqueous phase collected during the steam distillation of a plant. An infusion is prepared by contact with hot water. An essential oil concentrates the aromatic fraction of the plant. These preparations have neither the same composition nor the same uses.

Therefore, a hydrosol is not a diluted essential oil, and the properties attributed to a plant or its essential oil do not automatically translate to a mist. To choose, look at the ingredient list, the usage instructions, storage directions, and the desired sensation.

Our guide to hydrosols expands on these points, from distillation to daily habits.

Start with your skin and your habits. For comfort, explore chamomile; for a fresh sensation, verbena or peppermint; for the eye area, cornflower; for a combination skin routine, sage. These markers guide a choice without making it necessary to use multiple hydrosols at once.

1. Cleanse. Choose a facial cleanser suited to your makeup and your skin.
2. Spray. Apply the chosen hydrosol, following the product instructions.
3. Complement. Follow with your usual cream or balm. A mist does not replace this treatment.

Need a starting point? Our five-question skin quiz helps you create a routine based on your habits and concerns.

Can you use a hydrosol every day?

Follow the bottle's usage instructions and adapt the frequency to your skin's comfort. There is no need to layer several mists. In case of discomfort, space out the applications or stop using the product.

How to store your hydrosol?

Observe the "period after opening" and the conditions indicated on the packaging. Close the bottle after each use and keep it away from heat and light. Only use the refrigerator if the manufacturer recommends it.

Does "natural" mean suitable for all skin types?

Each skin type reacts differently, including to plants. Introduce one new product at a time and follow its precautions for use. A cosmetic product accompanies daily life; persistent irritation warrants medical advice.

Botanical references: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — chamomile; International Plant Names Index — lemon verbena. Routine advice refers to Apoticari skincare usage instructions.