Posted by Suzie Sorenson
From their velvety petals to the simple symmetry of their shape, for centuries roses have symbolized beauty and balance, luxury and love, and they speak to us of care on a nearly archetypal level. But, like so many other gifts that nature has to give us, they're more than just pretty.
A rich source of empowering nutrients and restorative fatty acids, roses are incredible for integrating into your skincare routine. And one of the very best ways to experience their benefits is through the light, soothing magic of nourishing rose water.
Made by steam distilling roses (petals and stem included) to create an ultra-pure elixir that concentrates all the beneficial components of these beautiful blossoms, rose water has found its way into cosmetics and the skincare routines of everyone from Cleopatra to Queen Victoria––and for good reason!
Its ability to support beautiful skin lives up to the legends, with new research backing what humans have anecdotally known since the time of the ancients: that rose water has an unparalleled capacity to refresh, resurface, and renew skin.1
Revitalize Your Skin With Natural Vitamins and Essential Acids
Just like you need to fuel yourself with healthy food to feel your best, your skin needs nourishment to look its best. If you’ve been troubled by sensitive skin, clogged pores, blackheads, or bouts of breakouts, rose water, combined with Prickly Pear oil, could be just what you need to turn over a new leaf.
Science is showing that rose water is full of the nutrients most needed for skin health (including vitamins A, C, D, and B6), giving your skin the building blocks to maintain appropriate collagen levels and strong cell barriers. This leaves your skin firm, yet supple, and helps you maintain optimal moisture levels.4
Additionally, its ability to bring ease to even the most issue-prone skin means that these precious vitamins get a chance to do their work. Rose water contains several antioxidants and essential fatty acids that can keep your skin calm, promoting a healthy glow from within.5 To enjoy rose water's powers of renewal, use it nightly to tone and cleanse after removing your makeup (the fatty acids it contains help dissolve the oils used to bind most make-up residue for an unparalleled level of clean).
It also makes a good aftershave: its astringent properties help close your pores, making for a smooth, clean surface, while its subtle aroma will add a little je ne sais quoi to your scent.
Empower Balance When It Comes to Your Skin’s pH
We often think that we have to scrub our skin clean in order for it to look and act its best. However, if we were to trust nature, we might find that the most effective cleansing agents are right before our very eyes.
Far from a simple fragrant water, rose water is a gentle yet powerful toner loaded with antibacterial properties that can help dissolve dead skin cells that might be dulling your complexion, promote an even skin tone, and improve the general quality of your skin.3
It even helps maintain a healthy pH balance, which is crucial for that glowing, youthful complexion. It’s critical for all health actually!
Here’s how it works:
Our natural pH is often thrown off kilter from things like eating the wrong foods or using products full of artificial additives. And when your pH is out of balance, it’s difficult for your skin to fight off enzymes that destroy collagen and cause premature wrinkling and dryness.
Rose water supports the proper balance of acidity and alkalinity on your skin barrier, which helps to ensure that it keeps in the essential lipids and moisture while keeping out undesirable pollutants, toxins, and bacteria. As with anything in life, gorgeous skin is all about balance!
Reinvigorate Your Senses
Rose water offers an invigorating renewal for both the skin and the psyche. Its delicate, airy texture adds an instant infusion of reinvigorating moisture.
What’s more, the beautiful scent of rose petals is a potent aromatherapeutic. With a light, uplifting scent, rose water instantly lowers stress levels. Since your stress levels are intricately connected to your skin (via your gut-brain-skin axis), this means that your skin looks just as relaxed, radiant, and soothed as you feel (and smell!).2
Try a simple whole-body spritz every morning before you head out the door, or as an added benefit, you can use rose water to help set any make-up you're wearing. You'll walk into the world with your head held high!
Make It a Ritual of Facial Rejuvenation
With so many ways to use rose water, you're really spoiled for choice. But to truly enjoy all its benefits, why not try this simple nightly ritual?
After you've washed your face, gently apply via spritz or directly to a cotton ball or a soft pad. Hold it in your palms, and take a deep breath in. As you breathe out, let the events of the day go with it. Smooth the cotton ball over your face, giving yourself a gentle face massage as you go. Take one more deep breath in, enjoying the delicate aroma, feeling yourself unwind from the day, and enjoying the sensation of replenished skin. It's a perfect way to remove the stresses of the day and rejuvenate yourself inside and out.
How to Choose the Best Rose Water
Historically, Turkish rose water has been considered to be top of the market, known for its beautiful scent and potent properties. You should also look for rose water that's made with organic roses (so as not to compromise the purity of the product with pesticides or other unwanted irritants), and of course, make sure it's free of artificial preservatives and synthetic adulterants.
It does take just a little more time to find the right product, but it's well worth it––using the authentic version of this light, airy mist will have you seeing the world through rose-colored glasses as you enjoy your newly petal-soft skin!
References:
1. Boskabady, M.H., Shafei, M.N., Saberi, Z., Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 14(4), 295–307.
2. Bowe, W. P., & Logan, A. C. (2011). Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis - back to the future? Gut Pathogens, 3(1).
3. Shohayeb, M., Abdel-Hameed, E-S.S., Bazaid, S.A., Maghrabi, I. (2014). Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Rosa damascena MILL. Essential Oil, Different Extracts of Rose Petals. Global Journal of Pharmacology, 8(1), 1-7. doi: 10.5829/idosi.gjp.2014.8.1.81275
4. Mirali, N., Aziz, R., Nabulsi, I. (2012). Genetic Characterization of Rosa Damascena Species Growing in Different Regions of Syria and Its Relationship to the Quality of the Essential Oils. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2(1), 41-52.
5. Kazaz, S., Baydar, H., Erbas, S. (2009). Variations in Chemical Compositions of Rosa damascena Mill. and Rosa canina L. Fruits. Czech Journal of Food Sciences, 27, 178–184.
