The Power of Roses For the Skin

“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose”
—— from Gertrude Stein's poem Sacred Emily, 1913

More than just a pretty face with intoxicating smell, roses, the ‘Queen of Flowers’, are one of the most studied and efficacy-proven natural remedy with thousands of years of research behind it. It all started with Ancient Egyptians boiling down roses to make healing salves, and also infusing rose scent in their oils to cleanse and protect the skin against harsh dry desert winds. Rumour has it that Cleopatra even bathed in petal-infused milk, soaked the sails of her ship in rose water so that the breeze would surround her with scent, and filled her home with rose petals whenever Marc Anthony would visit, in the hope that every time he smelt a rose he would think of her.

Whether you like roses or not, the proven benefits of roses simply cannot be denied. Here’s the catch however. Not all roses are created the same. Subject to things like species, origin, extraction method, and formulation, the benefits they provide can be quite different.

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Key Rose Species in Skincare

Rosa Damascena: The best Rosa Damascena comes from Bulgaria and Turkey and blooms for only a month between May and June. Considered the most powerful species of roses found in skincare. Mostly used in rose oil and rose hydrosol.

Rosa Centifolia: Also known as Rose de Mai or Cabbage Rose, the best Rosa Centifolia is found in Morocco, France, and Egypt. Mostly used in rose hydrosol and rose extracts.

Rosa Rubiginosa & Rosa Canina: While it grows in many countries, Chile and Lesotho produces the best ones. Mostly used as the source of rosehip oil.

Rosa Alba: White rose grown primarily in Bulgaria. Mostly found in rose hydrosol only, as twice as much Rosa Alba is needed to produce the same amount of oil as Rosa Damascena, and is thus extremely rare and only produced on demand.

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How Roses Appear in Skincare & Their Benefits

Roses are found in skincare products in four major forms——(in order of potency) rose oil, rosehip oil, rose hydrosol and rose extracts. While they share mostly the same benefits, some extra distinct qualities can be observed in each category.

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Rose Oil

Only a few oil producers from Bulgaria and Turkey for Rosa Damascena, and Morocco, France, and Egypt for Rosa Centifolia, have the unique climate and soil conditions with the right air humidity, cloudiness, and rainfall to grow these roses without compromising the correct process for the harvest and processing of rose oil. Combined with the fact that 4-6kg of rose petals are needed to create just 1ml of pure Rose Oil (extracted by distillation), and a bit more for Rose Absolute (extracted by solvent), no wonder why true rose oil, or true rose oil-infused products, are incredibly expensive. In other words, do not trust any products that claim to contain rose oil but are relatively cheap, because they likely do not use real rose oil and would not deliver the same skin benefits.

Brimming with a hundreds of components including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, rose oil used topically is anti-aging, collagen boosting, rejuvenating, toning, firming, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, detoxifying, and can help reduce acne, pigmentation, scars, and stretch marks. Studies have also shown it to improve eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis and help heal wounds.

Remarkably, even the aroma of rose has a direct impact on the skin——a 2011 study conducted in Japan found that inhalation of the scent of rose essential oil decreased the effects of chronic stress on skin, inhibiting transepidermal water loss and the disruption of skin barrier function.

AGENT NATEUR
holi(oil) Ageless Face Serum  <- Click to shop

With a base of Rice Bran Oil and Rosehip Oil, as well as actives including Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Ketogluconate, Damascus Rose, Helichrysum and Sandalwood Oils that are high in a wide array of antioxidants, the lightweight holi(oil) reduces fine lines and wrinkles, promotes cell and collagen regeneration and self-hyaluronic acid production, reduces redness, soothes and improves rosacea and eczema, and effectively slows aging. The ingredients are also clinically-proven to actually reduce acne, scarring and hyperpigmentation!

KLUR
Elements of Comfort  <- Click to shop

Enriched with oils like Hemp Seed, Rose, Rosehip, Avocado, Kukui Nut Seed and Tamanu Seed, Noni extract, Benzoin Resin, as well Neroli and Rose Absolute, this lightweight body oil delivers and replenishes nourishment and nutrients to even the driest skin, soothes irritations and sensitivities including eczema and psoriasis, provides anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant actions, and boosts the skin's natural process of collagen synthesis.

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Rosehip Oil

Unlike rose essential oil, which is derived from rose petals, rosehip oil is distilled from the fruit that is left behind after the rose has bloomed. Rosehip oil usually comes from the Rosa Rubiginosa (also known as Rosa Mosqueta) or Rosa Canina species. It’s a great source of vitamins A, C, D, and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, and therefore is beneficial in promoting cell regeneration and collagen synthesis, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, strengthening the lipid barrier, inhibiting melanin production, fading pigmentation, reducing redness, acne and inflammation, and soothing eczema and rosacea.

The main attribute that makes Rosa Rubiginosa stand out against Rosa Canina is its Trans-Retinoic Acid content, as this natural active is effective at repairing the skin, accelerating skin renewal, restoring and regenerating scar tissues, as well as fading fine lines, wrinkles and stretch marks.

MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Reson8™  <- Click to shop

A lightweight moisturizer in a hydrogel texture suitable for all skin types, Reson8™ comprises ingredients including Green Tea Extract, Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Marine Collagen, Gotu Kola Extract, Neroli Oil, Frankincense Oil and Rose Geranium Oil to calm, repair and stabilize the skin’s barrier while providing penetrating hydration, healing, rejuvenating and regenerating effects to the skin.

KLUR
Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum  <- Click to shop

A wide array of brightening ingredients, including 20% Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Ferulic Acid, Licorice Root and Rosehip Oil, works to dissolve and inhibit melanin formations, brighten skin, reduce hypigmentation, stimulate collagen synthesis, and increase elasticity, whilst Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Superoxide Dismutase, Vitamin E, as well as carefully selected botanical extracts and oils work in synergy to balance, calm, hydrate, and repair the skin.

Agent Nateur
holi(body) Ageless Body Serum  <- Click to shop

Fortified with high concentrations of organic Rosehip Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Jojoba Oil, Damascus Rose Oil & Helichrysum extracts, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caffeine & Theobromine, etc., it provides long-lasting nourishment, stimulates collagen & elastin production, tightens & firms skin, lightens, smoothes & prevents scars, cellulite & stretch marks, whilst French-patented Calcium Ketogluconate promotes hyaluronic acid & elastin production and lifts skin!

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Rose Hydrosol

Rose hydrosol, also called rosewater or rose flower water, is filled with vitamins, especially vitamin C, and antioxidants such as polyphenols. It also has strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Beneficial for all skin types, not only does rose hydrosol calm, hydrate, balance, and fight free radicals, it also helps prevent and treat infections, speed up wound healing, reduce skin redness, and soothe inflammations like eczema and rosacea.

AGENT NATEUR
holi(water) Hyaluronic Pearl & Rose Essence  <- Click to shop

Fortified with Bulgarian Rose Water, Lavender Water, Pitaya, Cucumber, Pearl Powder, Jasmine Oil, Honey, Sandalwood Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate, this ultra hydrating toner intensely hydrates, softens, soothes, plumps, tightens and brightens the skin. Its rich content of antioxidants and phytonutrients also provide anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial benefits, thereby reducing and improving acne and redness.

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Rose Extract

Rose extract, which also comes from the rose fruit, is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamins, especially from the rosa canina variety. Studies show that rose extract is effective in finding and scavenging free radicals that can cause cell damage, hydrating skin, reducing redness, soothing inflammations, brightening skin, whilst smoothing wrinkles.

KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex  <- Click to shop

Featuring star ingredient 1.8% Encapsulated Retinol, as well as Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Willow Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosehip Oil, Squalane, etc., the powerful yet gentle watery serum stimulates collagen synthesis and rejuvenates skin to effectively reduce wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation, smooth skin texture, slow aging, and minimize pores in a soothing, hydrating way.
 

 ANFISA
LILOU Radiant Hydra Balm  <- Click to shop

Highly anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing, the organic formula rich in organic Blue Tansy, Helichrysum, Hemp Seed oil, Rosehip Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Green Tea, White Tea and Matcha, etc., contains 80 different antioxidants to help relieve sensitivity, redness, dryness and swelling, promote skin regeneration, strengthen the skin lipid barrier, restore water-oil balance, soothe acne, while inhibiting elastin breakdown and slowing down the aging process.

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