Ingredient Spotlight: Rose Extract
Ingredient Spotlight: Rose Extract for Skincare, Is It Legit?
So friends, today, we're going to be talking about roses. Roses are the quintessential symbol of love and romance. Almost every single skincare company has some sort of rose something in their product line. If they don't, they will. THEY WILL. But are they useful and do they actually improve the condition of your skin? We're going to take a look at the rose's history as a skincare ingredient, its chemical composition, and the studies done on the efficacy of roses.
The Rose Through Skincare History
According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the rose plant is an ancient plant and evidence suggests that it has existed for many millions of years. There have been fossils of roses discovered in America that are as old as 30 million years.Ancient cultures used roses as a treatment for abdominal and chest pains and in the reduction of inflammation. North American Indian tribes have used roses to treat children's cough. Ancient Egyptians used rose as a cosmetic and healing balm. In medieval times, roses, rose water, and rose oil were regularly used to lighten skin and fade scars. In 17th century Europe, roses were so valuable that they were bartered as if they were money themselves.We can still find a vast array of products today that use roses. But given their long history of use by different human civilizations at different points of time, do they really work?
What About Roses Makes Them So Special?
Roses and rose hips (which are rose seed pods) contain Vitamin A (aids in healthy skin cell protection and helps to protect against UV damage), Vitamin C (boosting collagen production and evens skin tone), Vitamin D (UV protection and stimulates cell turnover), and Vitamin E (blocks free radicals).Roses also contain phenolics (which are a class of chemical compounds containing hydroxyl group bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group) which are responsible for a rose's abundant pharmacological uses. Rose's use as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory are due to its phenolic components.
Do Roses Work For Skincare or Is It Hype?
A study in 1972 by Maleev and in 2010 by Hajhashemi has shown that roses have antioxidant properties.Other studies show also that roses do not directly contribute to the slowing of aging but scientists have posited the the rose's antioxidant properties could have some anti aging effects.Rose Extract has been shown to have these anti inflammatory properties which helps soothe skin and minimize redness.Rose Hips contain Vitamin A,C,D, and E discussed before.Rosewater is made from steaming rose buds and contains antibacterial properties that are used in most mists and toners to balance the skin.
Is It the Real Deal?
Given its long history of use, the use of every part of the flower and the multitudes of studies conducted on the rose, it's safe to say that adding some rose to your skincare routine can do you a world of good. They will help reduce irritation and soothe the skin, the multitude of vitamins will help your skin at a cellular level, and its antibacterial properties will help tone and balance your skin. AND you'll smell like roses WHICH IS A PLUS.Just bear in mind that different rose products (extract, oil, and water) are specialized to target different conditions and you're good to go. Grab your favorite rose product and go forth and conquer!Resources:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/emilie-davidson-hoyt/rose-oil-benefits_b_2633703.htmlhttp://blog.mariobadescu.com/rose-extract/https://www.beautylish.com/a/vxsxj/history-of-roses-in-beauty