Roses have long been associated with beauty for thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Persians all used it to enhance their beauty and recognized its value for those purposes even in that time period. The petals were used to make oils, creams and perfumes in order to harness its beauty boosting powers. Those same boosting properties are the reason why roses still reign supreme in the skincare and beauty industry. It’s no surprise when this delicate, yet fanciful flower is packed full of skin-loving nutrients that nourish and have lasting effects on our biggest organ. Roses are packed with both Vitamin C & E, both which are known to boost collagen production. They also contain natural antioxidants and fatty acids that protect our skin from free radicals and can potently soothe and hydrate thirsty skin. This can ultimately have an overall plumping effect on dry, tired skin, which is why it is commonly found in anti-aging products. It’s soothing properties make it a great choice for most skin types and can even help calm sensitive skin. Vitamin C is a natural brightener. Another interesting fact about roses is that one specific type, Rosa gallica, an ancient variety, was sequenced in 2018 and showed several genetic similarities with our skin in regards to senescence (aging).This rose species undergoes several specific changes in response to environmental stressors/changes (excessive heat, drought) that limit growth and lead to premature aging of the plant. The actual genetic changes that occur within the plant are similar to changes that occur in human skin during the aging process. Perhaps these mimicked changes are conserved throughout the rose family and could be contributing to the overall benefits against aging? It should be noted that every part of the flower is useable for skincare purposes, even when it goes to seed. At that point it’s referred to as rosehip and most are familiar with rosehip oil which has a whole host of benefits on its own. We use both rose oil and rosehip oil in many of our Flower-Power oils depending on the specific skin goal. Rosehip oil also helps to fight the signs of aging and acts as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and it even has antifungal properties. As you can tell, the list of rose benefits is ever-growing and perhaps even more will continue to be discovered over time. This beautiful, delicate yet thorny flower has so much to offer. It teaches us that, most often, the tools we need for beauty are growing from the earth and not from a laboratory. The long history of the rose is a perfect example of this.
