Rose Water Facial Mask for Aging or Sun-Damaged Skin

Rose water not only smells and tastes nice, but it also helps heal skin. During the 17th century, royalty considered it so valuable that it was used as currency. Today, it is still just as valuable, especially concerning skin care. It has been shown to be a highly effective moisturizer. Rose water may also reduce damage to elastin fibers in skin. This makes it great for reducing wrinkles and dullness. Needless to say, it is an important addition to any skin care regimen.

Rose Water

Rose water can be used alone as a toner or spritzed as a moisturizer. If you want more fighting power, add some other great ingredients to make a mask. I have made a chart that shows what each ingredient does, and the best part is that they go with all skin types.

Face Mask Ingredient Guide

All of the natural ingredients listed above are great at what they do. One thing to keep in mind when using honey is that it should always be raw to get the full effects. I have mentioned almond oil in the past, and I have experienced how awesome it is. On top of everything it does, it seems to help even skin tone. Aloe Vera is another super ingredient, especially concerning sun burns. One that surprised me is chia seeds. They are known for being healthy to eat, but they also help skin. Really it’s a good idea to both eat them and apply them to help aging. Finally, there is matcha green tea powder, which has basically the same effects on skin as it does internally.

Rose Water Mask

1 tsp. Rose Water
1 tsp. Raw Honey
1/2 tsp. Almond Oil
1/2 tsp. Aloe Vera
1/4 tsp. Chia Seeds
1/4 tsp. Matcha Green Tea

Before getting started, keep in mind that the mask mixture must soak for 30 minutes up to 2 hours. This keeps the chia seeds from absorbing your skin’s moisture and it allows their nutrients easier access to the dermis. Take a small bowl and add everything together. Mix well and let set at room temperature. Make sure that your skin is clean before applying any mask. It is best to take a warm washcloth and place it on the face for a couple of minutes to open pores for maximum absorption. After soaking, take the mask and apply it, being careful to avoid the eye area. Keep it on for about 15 minutes or until it is mostly dry. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Rose Water Face Mask IngredientsRose Water Face Mask

Marzipan Brownie Recipe with Rose Water

Marzipan has a very interesting history for such a simple dessert. It seems that it originated from the Orient and was traded to the Middle East and Europe. It has been so popular throughout history that even Shakespeare wrote about it in Romeo and Juliet, where he refers to it as “marchpane“. Regardless of the exact location it came from, marzipan has been around for about one thousand years! I found a great recipe from the Daring Gourmet to use for the brownies.

Marzipan Ingredients

Marzipan LogMarzipan Portion for BrowniesMarzipan Brownie Prep

Once the marzipan is ready, brownies can be made. If you refrigerate or freeze the almond mixture, be sure to let it come to room temperature before using. For this recipe, I used half the amount I made (approximately 6 oz.).

Marzipan Brownies

3/4 C. Flour
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
Dash Salt
1/3 C. Butter
3/4 C. Sugar
1 Tbsp. Water
1 C. Chocolate Chips
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Tbsp. Rose Water
2 Eggs
1/4 C. Chocolate Chips
6 oz. Marzipan

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Melt the butter in a microwave, then add sugar and water. Stir the wet ingredients, then put them into the microwave until they bubble. Take the bubbling mixture and add 1 cup of chocolate chips, vanilla, and rose water to it and stir until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and beat each one into the mixture well. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients until the batter is smooth. At this point, add the rest of the chocolate chips (1/4 C.) and stir. Pour the batter into a greased 8″ X 8″ pan, then evenly distribute the marzipan. After placing the marzipan, cover it with batter. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. If in doubt about it being baked, insert a toothpick into the middle of the pan. If the pick comes out clean, the brownies are done, but if the pick has food, the brownies need more time.

Flour AddedChocolate Chips Added
Marzipan BlobsBlobs Covered with Batter

Marzipan Brownies Baked