Roses are undeniably beautiful to look at (and smell!), but did you know that their extracts also possess some pretty amazing skincare benefits? Spoiler alert: They do!
The flower has been used as a skincare ingredient for centuries: rosewater has been employed as a perfume in certain religious ceremonies, and the Ancient Romans were reportedly the first to classify and document the healing powers of all-natural rosewater. Rosewater helps control excess surface oil and also aids in balancing the skin's pH levels. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce visible redness, in addition to soothing acne breakouts and eczema. Nowadays, it’s pretty easy to secure it in spray bottle form, making it easy to mist your face for a refreshing pick-me-up. (We like the ones by Glossier and Mario Badescu.)
Rose hip oil comes from the seeds of a specific variety of rose, Rosa aff. rubiginosa or Rosa moschata. A cold-press extraction method separates the oil from the hips and seeds. Skincare-wise, rose hip oil offers several benefits since it’s super rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C and B-carotene, a form of vitamin A. There are proven anti-aging benefits from using rose hip oil on your face, due to the bounty of antioxidants, collagen-stimulating vitamin C, and the oil’s ability to be fully absorbed by the skin. We’re in love with the one by Chantecaillle!
Call us biased, but our all-time favorite rose beauty product has to be our Rose of Damascus Hammam soap. Each bar is formulated with moisturizing olive oil, vitamin E, shea butter and glycerin for hydrated, dewy skin from head to toe, and is scented with pure rose and a blend of geranium, litsea, mint, bay and lime essential oils. What’s your favorite way to incorporate roses into your daily beauty routine? Let us know @senteursdorient.