Not only does rose water smell so delicious, but this age-old beauty elixir offers so many skincare perks. A brief history lesson on this versatile beauty treatment: rose water dates back to ancient civilization, with the earliest historical accounts of its beauty use being in Ancient Persia (now known as modern-day Iran). Many millennial and Gen-Z beauty enthusiasts also associate rose water with queen Cleopatra of ancient Egypt, as she was known to drench herself in rose and milk baths to keep her skin flawless and supple.

If rose water isn’t currently a staple in your skincare repertoire, reconsider it, and you’ll thank us later! Here are six reasons why we’re obsessed:

It works wonders for SOS skin moments: One of the number one benefits of rose water is its anti-inflammatory effects, which help ease flare-ups and irritations and lessen the appearance of redness and swelling.

It’s hydrating AF: Dispense some rose water into a travel-sized bottle and keep this on your office desk or daily tote. And whenever your skin is feeling extra parched, a good spritzing of rose water will instantly quench dryness – and this includes your body, too.

It soothes breakouts: Rose water also delivers antibacterial activity that can help calm any discomfort caused by acne, razor nicks, or grazes.

It’s rich in antioxidants: Rose water is abundant in vitamin A and C. As a result, it accelerates skin healing while boosting hydration and radiance.

It can aid in keeping excess sebum in check: We love to double up on our rose water use, incorporating it into our routine as both a face mist and toner. When utilized as the latter, it does an excellent job of rebalancing your skin’s pH to help keep oil levels steady.

It’s an effective pore minimizer: If large pores are familiar and you wish they weren’t, rose water also offers mild astringent properties, meaning it’s an effective skin clarifier. As a result, it aids in decongesting pores (that can catalyze unwanted breakouts), so you can enjoy a fresh and refined skin texture.