ALL ABOUT ROSE

Rose infused skincare - is it just the hype?

Last year I was all about green tea and 2018 has been a year of rose so far. This is not the rose you’re thinking off. Gone are the days when rose scent reminded us all of grandma’s perfume. The modern rose scent is lighter, little fresher and very feminine. But we are not here to talk scent per se, as the rose is an incredible ingredient commonly used in skincare. Be that extracts, purified water or oil, a bit of rose in your cream or serum should be on your wish-list. Why? Let’s chat! 

You probably heard a lot of rosehip oil and/or Rosa Damascena extracts or water lately. It’s an IT girl of beauty not so secret ingredients and for once the hype isn’t just promotional bullshit. Not all oils can be safely used by all skin types, yet rosehip seed oil seems to manage it pretty damn well. Almost non-comedogenic formula (2 on a scale) does not cause blocked pores which makes it perfect for any skin with tendencies to breakouts. Dry, combination or oily, rosehip seed oil has something it can offer to them all! It’s harvested from the seeds of rose bushes grown predominantly in Chile if you’re after the best! Full of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids it works like a dream on acne skin to reduce scarring and inflammation, oily and combination skin will love it for its balancing properties, and dry & mature skin will benefit from the reduction of fine lines and immense hydration. Similarly to argan, it sinks in easily & leaves skin soothed and glowing after only a few uses. Rosa Damascena is most commonly used for its intense scent and big oil concentration. 

Battle dehydration with rose infused skincare

A rose water is a by-product of rose oil production so it's important to know where your ingredients are coming from. The less chemicals the best it is. It can be used on all skin types and have strong anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness, irritation, help rid skin of acne, dermatitis and ease eczema symptoms. It’s truly a miracle worker. The benefits of using rose water do not stop here. It helps to hydrate, revitalise, refresh and balance the excess sebum production. This all-rounder is also known for its antibacterial properties and has been used for centuries aiding the healing process. Rose water is a potent antioxidant, it strengthens skin cells and helps them regenerate at the same time acting as astringent, helps clean pores and tone the skin.

Can rose get any better? Have you ever wondered why rose became a symbol of beauty and love? Dating back to ancient Egypt, even Cleopatra appreciated the benefits of using rose extracts for its powerful moisturising and anti-ageing properties. Rose extract or essence is rough 3x the concentration than rose water and can either be concentrated by-product of rose oil/water production. It has strong antioxidant properties, therefore, prevents cellular oxidation caused by environmental stress factors. Anti-pollution skincare is talked about a lot lately and it simply makes sense. Look around you, the smog, the lights from the screens we can’t seem to get away from, sun, environmental conditions and many more cause our skin to deteriorate quicker. It’s important to not only protect it and try to reverse the changes buy the most important factor is to prevent any more. 

Cleanse and tone with rose skincare

There are so many rose infused skincare around so it’s important to do your research. I’ve been blessed with trying out a lot of newbies lately, starting with Indie Lee Rosehip Cleanser* enriched with Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil and only 4 more natural ingredients plus water has been formulated with dry, sensitive and rosacea skin in mind. It cleanses, gently exfoliates and preserves moisture levels when used. Perfect as a morning cleanser, it keeps my redness-prone skin calm and soothed. And while we’re on a subject of the morning routine, the super gentle and soothing Pixi Rose Tonic* has earned a title of AM fave! It balances PH and leaves skin fresh, hydrated and normalise. If you’re pale, you probably should avoid acids in the morning, so change your AHA or BHA toner for something gentler and not sun sensitive is the way to go. 

Essence forms a part of my unique routine as an extra step in the fight against dehydration. Pixi Rose Caviar Essence’s* innovative ‘oil drops’ suspended in the watery gel formula provides a great source of hydration for the dehydrated skin. Flower oils such as macadamia seed, bergamot, sunflower seed, jojoba, grape seed and aloe leaf oils to name a few provide dry skin with the moisture it needs, while the ultra light gel sinks in instantly. I take a pea-sized amount and press it onto the skin after toning and before the serum. In summer even the drier types may have tendencies to become more oily despite the appropriate sun protection we wear. Finding a light gel moisturiser which also keeps the dryness at bay is like finding a unicorn but I’m pleased to inform you, I found one. The new La Cure Beaute Paris Multi Benefit Rose Cream Gel* is super light, sinks in beautifully but also provides my skin with intense moisture. Perfect skin prep in the morning! 

Rid skin of texture with rose enriched skincare

Additionally, there’s always a mask or a balm you can introduce to your routine. Enriched with rose Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay* helps skin to rid of the bumps, uneven tone and other texture while restoring the glow making skin looks its best. It’s a multitasker which gently yet deeply cleanses while refining the skin’s texture. All thanks to rose clay, willowherb and jojoba beads! After mask a clay mask, dry skin requires a boost of moisture and if it can be another hard-working multitasker, the easier and more effective the routine is. Pixi Rose Flash Balm* combines the power of rosa centifolia flower water and rose extract, witch hazel and oil leaf extract to instantly brighten, moisturise and give that healthy glow. The 3-in-1 product can be used as a balm moisturiser, a mask or a makeup primer. What’s even crazier, it performs really well whatever for and whenever you use it. 

Nighttime faves aka facial oils take a prideful place in my routine. I love combining oils at night but one thing is always the same, I need to have some rosehip oil magic in my mixtures.  Urban Veda Reviving Facial Oil* has been formulated with too many oils to count to include safflower, squalane, geranium, argan, borage, rosehip seed, cannabis, evening primrose, pomegranate and sweet cherry seed to the only name a few makes a perfect addition to any routine. Use alone with 4-6 drops pressed into the skin of your face, neck and décolletage or add 2-3 drops when mixing with others. The other fave, Pixi Rose Oil Blend* combines the powers of sweet almond, rosehip, jojoba, pomegranate and rose geranium oils to ‘feed’ the skin all that it needs to revitalise overnight. Add a drop to your moisturiser or serum, or press alone using 4-5 drops, it sinks quite quickly, soothes and allows for the healthiest glow the next morning. 

Moisturise like a pro with rosehip seed oil

What are your experiences with rose skincare? I’d love to know your thoughts and recommendations! As always, if you find yourself inspired, please share with #BDQmademedoit on social media. You can find Beauty Drama Queen on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook. Let’s share this beauty-full journey together! 

Thank You For Reading.
With love,

*Disclaimer*

All of the products featured have been sent for review consideration, they are clearly marked with * for the ease of reference and the affiliate links used throughout this post. What it means is that I receive a teeny tiny commission for any sale made through the link. I do not receive a commission for clicks alone. This does not influence my opinion in any way. I’ll always relay my unbiased thoughts to my readers.