Why Roses Are Stellar For Skincare

By: Natasha Eziquiel-Shriro

Rose is not just a trending beauty care ingredient. Used for thousands of years, from Asia through the Middle East, by Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and much later, by Western Europeans, roses have long received special attention by those after flawless skin.

Fast forward to your mother’s (or grandmother’s) medicine cabinet. There’s a good chance she had a musky rose perfume oil or a pale pink rose lotion bottle stashed away somewhere. Or maybe you caught her making rose water in the kitchen, simmering down the velvety petals, that floral scent heavy in the air, and watched her pour her prized product into a spray bottle or jar to keep with her makeup or in the linen closet.

Your abuela knew it, and so should you: roses are the truth. Need some evidence as to why, before you’re convinced to add rose to your skincare routine?

• Rose protects the skin. Rose petal extracts are proven to be anti-inflammatory, thanks to their high antioxidant activity and ability to scavenge free radicals that could otherwise damage the skin. Try a toner with rose water as a refreshing after-sun spray to help protect your skin from the damage caused by UV rays, or to simply fend off the damage of a day’s worth of air pollution.

• Rose is calming. If you’re looking for even skin tone, or suffer from rosacea or hyperpigmentation, it can be helpful to treat your skin with a soothing natural product. A facial cream with rose would be a perfect choice.

• Rose plumps the skin. Thanks to its anti-oxidant powers, extracts of rose can prevent the breakdown of skin collagen and elastin, in turn delaying loss of skin elasticity and wrinkle formation. Try layering a daily-use facial serum with rose extract under your moisturizer.

• Rose is moisturizing without blocking pores. Rosehip, which is whats left after the petals drop from the flower, is an excellent source of skin-nourishing vitamins A, C, E, and essential fatty acids. Rosehip oil will protect the barrier of the skin and prevent water loss, but is also mildly astringent because of its slightly acidic pH. This combination helps maintain the skin’s natural balance. Look for rose oil in your daily moisturizer or nighttime facial product, to help control excess oil production, tighten pores, and hold onto a nice, healthy glow.

• Rose extract is a natural makeup remover. Thanks to this plant’s composition, rose is a perfect choice for removing makeup. At the end of the day, reach for a makeup remover infused with rose to gently cleanse, nourish, and soothe your skin.

There are many ways to receive the benefits of roses. If you’re the DIY type, you can try using naturally-grown or wild roses the old-school way: turn a bouquet into a simple facial steam, and then bottle the left-over brew in a spray bottle to refresh your skin whenever needed.

Have you used roses in your skincare routine? Tell us in the comments below.