The Inspiration of Roses 

A beautiful, long rose hedge at home was one of the inspirations for starting to make skincare in 2012.

I was studying herbal medicine at the time and was becoming aware of all the healing treasures in the wild areas around our home. I soon realised that the rose hedge was not just a gorgeous addition to the joy of the garden but a precious resource.

We had just learnt that one of the best ways to sooth the itchiness of psoriasis was to use an extract of rose because of its cooling effect. It helps to reduce redness and inflammation, from the short term discomfort of sunburn to the long term impact of aging. On top of that, it is also highly effective in helping to tone and nourish dry skin. It really is one of the most effective remedies for the skin.

How We Use Roses in Our Skincare

The first time I picked the rose petals for the rose infused oil we use in Belle&Basil skincare I felt like a little girl on an adventure. Did you ever pick petals as a child, trying to make a perfume, only to discover a horrible, stinky black mess several weeks later? I certainly did. It turns out that the secret is that you have to dry the petals before putting them in oil (or whatever crazy carrier your 8 year old mind came up with…) 

It is still one of my favourite jobs for Belle&Basil. You have to pick the petals on a bright, dry day (if the petals are wet when you pick them their healing qualities will be reduced) so it is always a sunny Summer experience. Then there is the stunning fragrance that comes from being surrounded by hundreds of roses, the gentle buzzing of the bees and butterflies getting drunk on nectar, and the softness of the petals as they are slowly pulled from the flower. It is a sensory delight and a privilege that I always look forward to.

Once the petals are picked they are dried for several days and then carefully stored in a cool, dry cupboard. When we get low on the rose infused Organic Apricot Oil which is in all our moisturisers we make up a new batch. We fill a kilner jar with rose petals, pour the oil over the top and leave it for 2 weeks, shaking the jar every day. It is such a simple process and yet the end result is a powerful, active botanical oil which can soothe your skin.

Different Ways of Using Roses in Skincare

We also use organic Rose essential oil, organic Rosehip Oil and organically grown Rose Water in our products. Anything made from roses is going to be great for nourishing and soothing your skin. 

The organic Rose essential oil we use is one of the most expensive fragrances in the world but definitely worth it because of its healing benefits for the skin, and also for the heart. Rose Essential Oil is a very effective natural antidepressant and relaxant, bringing softness and comfort.

I have some friends who have been put off rose in skincare because they have experienced the unpleasant smell of synthetic rose but even they agree that this essential oil is an extraordinary fragrance, so similar to the true scent of garden roses.

Rosehip Oil is one of my favourite oils. It is a rich oil, high in Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 and full of antioxidant carotenoids which protect and repair the skin.

Since ancient times, Rose Water has been used for skin because it is so gentle yet effective as an anti-inflammatory, helping reduce the redness in pimples and eczema.

Roses are normally associated with a feminine fragrance and not used in products for men. It’s one of the reasons we developed our Balancing Moisturiser with Wild Seaweed, Juniper & Sandalwood. However, roses offer so much more to our skin then the familiar floral scent. If you are a man who suffers from redness, itchiness or dry skin you should try it. 

We really hope you enjoy our moisturisers, especially the Nourishing Moisturiser with Wild Seaweed, Comfrey and Rose, as it has all 4 rose based active botanicals in it.

As you can tell, we have a deep love and respect for the power of the rose at Belle&Basil.