Meet Our NZ Hydrosols, and Why We Only Stock Local

Hydrosols have been used in skincare for centuries, and they’re making a not-so-quiet comeback! Gentle yet effective, beautifully aromatic, and incredibly versatile, these fragrant waters offer an easy way to incorporate the benefits of botanicals into your daily routine.

At Go Native, we’re proud to offer a curated selection of New Zealand-grown, spray-free, preservative-free hydrosols. In this post, we’ll share why we now source exclusively from local distillers, how hydrosols are made, and what makes each of our options special.

Why We Only Stock NZ-Grown Hydrosols Now

Shifting to Aotearoa-grown hydrosols was a conscious decision we made to reduce waste, lower our carbon footprint, and support our local industry.

While we were initially disappointed to say goodbye to some of the more exotic hydrosols we used to import, the reality is that hydrosols are delicate and have a much shorter shelf life than many other raw ingredients. By the time international stock arrived by sea (which can take three to five months), a large portion of that shelf life was already gone.

We also had to commit to large volumes, which often led to unnecessary waste, which is something we actively try to avoid.

Now, we work directly with trusted New Zealand growers and distillers who produce fresh, small-batch hydrosols, usually bottled just days after distillation. We genuinely believe the hydrosols grown and distilled here are world-class, and with less travel, fresher product, and lower impact on the planet, it’s a win-win all round.

What Are Hydrosols?

Hydrosols (also known as floral waters, hydrolats or aromatic waters) are the pure, distilled water co-product of essential oil production. When plant material is steam-distilled to extract essential oil, the resulting condensate contains both oil and water. The water, now infused with water-soluble plant compounds and micro-droplets of essential oil, is the hydrosol.

Unlike essential oils, hydrosols are far gentler and suitable for direct application to the skin. They carry the botanical’s scent and properties in a soft, skin-friendly form.

Why Use Hydrosols?

Hydrosols are a great all-rounder in any skincare or self-care routine. You can:

• Mist them over your face as a toner or midday refresh
• Use them as a water replacement in DIY creams, gels or clay masks
• Add them to haircare for a light botanical boost
• Spritz on linens or into the air as a natural room spray
• Use them as a gentle option for babies or sensitive skin

Our NZ Hydrosol Range

All of our hydrosols are spray free, preservative free, and distilled here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Rose Hydrosol Soft, floral and beautifully fragrant, this gentle hydrosol makes a lovely facial toner or linen spray. Ideal for most skin types, including dry or mature skin.

Lavender Hydrosol A calming, balancing option with a light floral scent. Great as a facial mist, cooling spray, or after-sun refresher. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.

Mānuka Hydrosol Earthy and slightly sweet, mānuka hydrosol is a good choice for skin that’s prone to imbalance. Use it as a gentle toner or to support your skin’s natural clarity.

Kawakawa Hydrosol Distilled from wild Aotearoa kawakawa, this hydrosol is ideal for reactive or delicate skin. A lovely daily mist to help refresh and calm.

Lemon Myrtle Hydrosol Bright, citrusy and uplifting, this hydrosol makes a refreshing facial mist or room spray. A good pick-me-up for oily skin or a mid-afternoon energy boost.

Kānuka Hydrosol Clean and subtly herbaceous, kānuka is a gentle daily mist for skin prone to congestion or redness. Also great as a post-gym or travel spritz.

Rosemary Hydrosol Our newest addition. This crisp, herbaceous hydrosol is perfect for oily or blemish-prone skin and makes a great scalp mist or focus-enhancing room spray.

A Fresh, Local Approach

We’re committed to offering only the freshest, most sustainable ingredients possible, and our hydrosols are no exception. When you shop with Go Native NZ, you’re not only getting high-quality, functional ingredients, you’re supporting New Zealand growers, distillers and a lower-waste supply chain.

Explore our full range of NZ hydrosols here.