The rose - indispensable in pure cosmetics!

Around Valentine's Day, INDISHA focuses on rose products. Why are these flowers so special for cosmetic products? In this blog more about the special power of the rose. After reading the blog, you will understand why rose ingredients are used so often in (natural) cosmetics!

History of the rose

Did you know that the rose already bloomed on earth, centuries before we humans walked around it? Fossil leaves have been found in California from over 40 million years ago! Ever since man has been on earth, the rose has been a beloved flower. The most loved in the world.

The Greeks embalmed their dead heroes with rose oil. Flower garlands have been found in Egyptian tombs where the rose played the leading role. The Romans believed that the scent of roses kept diseases at bay and crowned victorious generals with roses. Roman emperors filled their baths and fountains with rose petals and had carpets of rose petals laid out for their feasts. The Chinese distilled medicines from roses. The Persians were known for the production of rose oil. The wonderful rose scent was very practical in the less hygienic times of the past to cover up unpleasant odors! Fortunately, this is no longer really necessary these days. But is the rose, because of its scent, still the basis of many (famous) perfumes.

The aurochs

The aurochs was a simple wild flower, with five to seven fragrant petals on a stamen. And bloomed only a few weeks a year. Even now there are still wild species, with a small number of leaves and a short flowering time. The cultivation of roses probably started about 5,000 years ago in Asia. Today there are more than 30,000 varieties of roses. And hundreds of new varieties are grown every year. Which bloom several times a year. And with many times more leaves (up to more than 100!) than the original wild variants.

Wild rose occurring in the Netherlands: Rosa Rugosa (Wrinkle Rose)

The (medicinal) power of the rose

It is a fact that the rose has a medicinal effect. Rose ingredients are even used in the pharmaceutical industry. Not all roses have the same medicinal effect. The medicinal power mentioned below differs per rose variety.

Rose petals

Contain, among other things, medicinal dyes called anthocyanins. These have a strengthening effect on the blood vessels and counteract clotting of platelets. And its strong anti-oxidants. In China, for example, the leaves are used to regulate vital energy and strengthen blood circulation. Rose water (hydrosol) and essential oil are distilled from the rose petals by means of steam distillation.

Rose hydrosol (rose water)

Rose water has many positive influences on the skin!

• It functions cooling and soothing for the skin. Tired eyes benefit from a few cotton pads soaked in rose water! Rose water compresses are also said to help relieve headaches.
• Scientific research has proven that rose hydrosol inhibits inflammation. And, for example, helps with inflamed or stinging eyes, skin irritated by eczema or rosacea, acne, an irritated scalp or dandruff.
• The antioxidants in rose water protect your skin against harmful influences from the outside. And counteract the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Which, among other things, helps prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles to go.
• The antibacterial and antiseptic effect of rose hydrolate ensures that wounds and scars on your skin heal faster.
• Rose water helps natural PH balance regulate the skin. And reduce excessive sebum production .
• Also does rose water shrink your pores .
• The scent of roses works aromatherapeutic . This has a harmonizing effect, makes you feel more relaxed, helps against feelings of anxiety and promotes good sleep.

It is quite an art to make a good quality hydrolate. A good hydrosol is obtained via steam distillation. During the steam distillation process, the water-soluble components end up in the distilled water - the hydrosol.

Rose hip oil

• This oil from the rosehip and rosehip seeds is packed with antioxidants that protect your skin.
• Rosehip oil also contains a high content of essential fatty acids. Which, among other things, help protect your skin, improve scar tissue and fine lines and soften stretch marks and pigment spots. The vitamin A component (retinoic acid) also helps with the latter.
• Vitamin C and A (retinoic acid) in the oil are indispensable components in the build-up of collagen in your body (a shortage of collagen stimulates wrinkle formation).
• Retinoic acid (vitamin A) and vitamin C, in addition to the essential fatty acids, are important components to renew and rejuvenate the skin. Among other things, this ensures that your skin looks less gray.
• The essential fatty acids also provide hydration to your skin and help your skin retain moisture better. The oil is easily absorbed by your skin, so that the anti-oxidants in the oil quickly penetrate the deeper skin layers.
• Phenolic acids in the oil have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal functions.
• The oil hydrates and ensures that your skin retains moisture better.
• Polyphenols (including phenolic acids), anthocyanins and vitamin E have an anti-inflammatory effect. And, like rose water, can soothe rosacea, psoriasis, eczema.
• Vitamin E is a natural protector against the negative effects of UV radiation. Together with vitamins A and C, vitamin E helps against skin aging caused by sunlight.
  
  

Essential rose oil (petals)

This (Rose Damascus or Rose Centifolia) oil is very precious! A liter of essential oil requires 3,000 to 5,000 rose petals. The scent has a calming and relaxing effect and gives a good mood. Just smell fragrant roses to get an idea of ​​what the oil obtained from the leaves can do for you.

Because Rose Damascus essential oil is so precious, Rose Geranium is also used as a cheaper alternative. This is an essential oil from geranium. With a rose scent. But without the powerful properties of rose essential oil.

Because essential rose oil is so powerful, it is always used diluted in skin care products.

The effect of essential rose oil is comparable to that of rose hydrosol. The concentration of active ingredients in rose essential oil is only higher. And the aromatherapeutic effect is also stronger.

Essential rose oil also helps with couperosis (damaged capillaries on your skin). The oil has the power to 'repair' it.

Organic cosmetics products with roses

As mentioned earlier, rose ingredients are a popular ingredient in cosmetic products. After reading the above, it should be clear why. Below are a number of examples of the products at INDISHA in which the rose plays an important role.

• Perfume house Floracent uses rose scent as top, heart or base note of many perfumes. In the context of Valentijn, we have the perfumes with rose elements highlighted
• Dr. Hauschka . A 'mother' rose tincture is the basis of many Dr Hauschka products. It takes three years to make the tincture. This tincture also ensures that no synthetic preservation is necessary. Dr Hauschka has her own fair trade biological dynamic rose cultivation project in Burkina Faso, Africa. Dr. Hauschka uses precious rose damascus extract, hydrosol, essential oil and wax in her products. And rosehip extract. The Rose cream has been the classic cream in the Dr Hauschka range for over 40 years.
• Rose hydrosol is the basis of the Mamiel's toner: the Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist . This one also contains wild rose extract and rose quartz powder! In the Sleepy series from deMamiel, essential oil of damascus rose or rosewood is used to calm your mind or to improve your mood. In the Rosey Lipbalm , Rose Damascus wax to prevent your lips from drying out. And Rose Damascus essential oil for its fragrance and anti-inflammatory effect.
• The basics of the 'Little Miracle in a bottle' Rosehip Serum by BalmBalm is rosehip oil.
• Yard soap uses precious essential oil of the Damascus rose in hair rose soap .
• Botanical Beauty uses essential rose oil in her rose line with scrubs, butter and oil. And has a delicious rose hydrolate as a toner.
• OHM has a deodorant scented with rose essential oil.
• Shankara used in her facial serum's rose elements such as Damascus rose essential oil and rose extract.

Sources : www.derozenhoflottum.nl, regiobloemist.nl, dewilde.nl, rozevereniging.nl, Wikipedia, earthmatters.nl, medicalnewstoday.com, foodndtv.com, NCBI, healthline.com, beautymunsta.com