Are you wondering about the properties of Damascus Rose essential oil and rose water? How should you use rosehip oil? What dosage and how often should you use it?
I’m here to help you.
As a florist, the Rose is an essential flower! I use it every day to create bouquets and arrangements, which has led me to explore its other uses, particularly its benefits.
Today, I’m sharing my insights on the various natural cosmetics and essential oils made from this extraordinary flower.
Used by humans for thousands of years, the rose offers numerous benefits. It is especially known for its healing and soothing properties. To take advantage of these benefits, you can choose ➡️ rose water, which can be used like a micellar water for daily use
➡️ rose damask essential oil, which is used diluted at 95% for its medicinal properties, particularly for treating eczema, persistent redness (couperose), and sunburns
➡️ Or, you can use rosehip oil, which can serve as a moisturizer or an anti-wrinkle mask.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- The Origins of Rose and Its Benefits
- How to Incorporate a Beauty Routine with Rose Water
- How to Use Damask Rose Essential Oil and What to Substitute It With
- What Rosehip Oil Is and How to Use It Daily
The Rose: A Flower Long Used in Cosmetics
This stunning flower has been a part of human life since ancient times, admired for its beauty and its cosmetic uses. In this article, I will focus on the latter, starting with a brief overview of its origins.
The Origins of a Mythical Flower
The rose has a rich and varied history. Sometimes a symbol of love and beauty, other times representing war and political interests, these flowers have been part of our world for at least 35 million years. In nature, the Rosa genus includes no fewer than 150 species, found all across the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Mexico, and including North Africa.
Since when has the Rose been cultivated?
The cultivation of roses dates back to around 5,000 years ago, with the earliest evidence found in China. During ancient times, roses were primarily grown in the Middle East and were used for:
- as confetti for celebrations
- to prepare remedies
- as a fragrance
The rose has been used for a very long time in cosmetics and medicine: these uses significantly predate the use of roses in bouquets or floral decorations as a romantic symbol, which only began in the 17th century.
What is Rosewood?
Attention, there is another plant-based product commonly used in cosmetics that shares this name: rosewood. However, this wood has nothing to do with the rose, nor is it even related to the rose family. It comes from a tree in the laurel family, discovered in the Amazon in the early 20th century. It got its name because it emits a very distinct scent reminiscent of rose. Therefore, rosewood essential oil is not derived from the flower; it does not have the same properties as Damask rose essential oil, which I will discuss in more detail later in this article.
What is rose water and how to use it?
Also known as rose hydrosol, rose water can be used daily to soothe and calm sensitive skin. It is produced by distilling petals from Damask roses. This is a high-quality product made from carefully selected flowers: it takes over 400 roses to produce a liter of rose water! You can find it at pharmacies or in some specialty cosmetic stores.
What are the benefits of rose water?
This preparation works directly on your skin. It specifically helps with daily treatment of:
- Redness, especially on the face
- Skin and scalp irritations
- Skin dryness and concerns about eczema
- Wrinkles
- Sunburns
- Stress
👉 If you have very sensitive skin or any potential allergies, I recommend testing the Rose Water on a small area of your face before applying it all over. If you experience any redness, itching, or a burning sensation, stop using it immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
How to Use Rose Water?
To enjoy its benefits, you can:
✔️Clean your skin morning and night with rose water,
✔️ Apply it to your skin after prolonged sun exposure to soothe burns and sunburns,
✔️ Pour versing two glasses directly into your bath,
✔️ Use it to relieve a migraine by placing a cotton ball soaked in rosewater on your forehead at the onset of pain,
✔️ Apply cotton pads soaked in rose water for three to five minutes on your eyes in the morning, especially if they are puffy.
How to Use Damask Rose Essential Oil?
Made from the same flower, rose water and Damask rose essential oil should not be confused. They are two different products: rose water is less concentrated than essential oil and can therefore be applied generously to the skin, much like a lotion.
Essential oils are rarely used on their own; you should typically dilute them in a carrier oil. In the following sections, I’ll explain how to enjoy their medicinal benefits.
What precautions should be taken when using this essential oil?
Since this product is highly concentrated, it is strongly not recommended for children under six years old, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
Oral ingestion is not recommended without medical advice.
Undiluted, it can be irritating to the skin, so I recommend diluting it by mixing 5% essential oil with 95% carrier oil. You might consider using macadamia oil, which is very gentle and well-tolerated by most people. Add about 5 drops of rosehip essential oil for every tablespoon of carrier oil.
👨⚕️ If you have any doubts or specific questions, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or pharmacist. Essential oils should be used with caution.
How to Use It?
If you don’t want to change your day cream, you can simply add a few drops of undiluted essential oil to enjoy its benefits every day.
Diluted, you can use it:
- To massage your irritated scalp before shampooing. Let it sit for fifteen minutes, then wash your hair with a gentle product.
- In diffusion, to reduce stress and enjoy a light rose scent. You can also place a pure drop on your wrist once a day to help you relax.
- For application, use twice a day on a scar until it fades away.
What Can Replace Damask Rose Essential Oil?
If you no longer have essential rose oil or if you have a sensitivity to it, you can substitute it with geranium essential oil. To use it, dilute it to 20% in a carrier oil and apply this mixture directly to the affected area to combat wrinkles, acne, or eczema.
For more information on the benefits of this oil, as well as the precautions to take, I encourage you to visit this website dedicated to essential oils, which explains its uses in detail.
When it comes to couperose, persistent redness, and healing, I recommend Italian Helichrysum essential oil. For precautions and usage guidelines, you can check out this website, which will explain in detail how to use it.
What are the benefits of rosehip oil?
Unlike rose essential oil, which comes from the Damask rose, rosehip seed oil is made from a different variety of rose known as rosehip. This particular type of rose is exceptionally effective for repairing the skin and providing daily protection.
Since it’s an oil, you can use it as a moisturizer in the morning and at night. It’s very effective for preventing skin aging, and when used as a mask, it can help with anti-wrinkle treatment.
When applied daily as a poultice, it can help to improve the appearance of an unsightly scar. However, it should not be applied directly onto an open wound: wait a few days or weeks until the risk of infection has subsided.
Incorporate Roses into Your Decor!
As we have seen, roses have many cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. If you’ve decided to incorporate this flower into your daily routine, why not also consider getting some eternal roses?
These exceptional flowers will perfectly complement your new beauty routine, add decor to your bathroom, and provide a daily touch of wonder that enhances the benefits of the rose-based cosmetics you use.
To create an original gift 🎁, you can also put together a rose-themed gift box featuring rose oils and either a preserved rose or a teddy bear made of roses. There’s nothing quite like it to surprise your loved ones and bring them joy!
To explore these decoration and gift ideas, you can visit our online store specializing in floral items.
You will find several dozen models of rose bears, all just as cute as the others. Among the wide variety of available colors, you’re sure to find your favorite color or one that will delight your loved ones!
We also offer several models of everlasting roses under a glass dome, which require no maintenance. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service, available 7 days a week, and they will be happy to assist you!
I hope this article has answered all your questions about rose-based cosmetics and oils and their numerous benefits! To learn more about this flower and its symbolism, I invite you to explore other blog posts dedicated to it: Red Rose, White Rose, or even Everlasting Rose…