Why use Damask rose in cosmetic formulations?
Considered one of the oldest varieties of roses, Damask rose has survived through the centuries and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is said that in the past, it was cultivated for its beauty and used as an offering for the goddesses Venus and Aphrodite. Today, it is rather coveted for the scent that emanates from its petals. Given the many virtues of this powerful, intoxicating part of the flower, it is an ingredient of choice in the perfume and industry and gourmet cuisine. In addition to its beauty and delicate fragrance, Damask rose is also widely used in cosmetics thanks to its numerous benefits.
Let’s now discover all the virtues and benefits of its use in cosmetic formulations:
The history of Damask rose
The Latin word for Damask rose, Rosa Damascena, belongs to the Rosaceae family and is one of the oldest varieties of roses. The shrub, the Damask rose, is named after the Syrian capital. Originally from the Middle East, the Damask rose was first introduced in France in the Middle Ages, at the time of the French knights’ crusades. History has it that it was the knight Robert de Brie who brought the Damask rose back from his journey to the city of Provins in 1254.
Since it requires considerable exposure to sunlight, the Damask rose is more likely to grow in the southern regions of France. However, this flower is not typically grown in France, with Damask rose cultivation mostly being based in Morocco, Turkey, Iran, and Bulgaria. Damask roses are shrubs measuring 1 to 2 meters in height, on average, and have thorny stems. The flowers have the particularity of growing in the form of a bouquet and, depending on the variety, the color and bloom of the latter will vary. Here are just a few:
- Rosa damascena (“Trigintipetala”): Particularly resistant to heat, it is mainly grown in Bulgaria and offers abundant flowering from June to July. It is light pink in color, with a golden heart.
- Rosa damascena (“Four Seasons”): Widely used in the perfume industry, this variety enjoys a reflowering period from June to November. In other words, it can bloom twice in the same growth cycle. It is particularly fragrant and pink in color.
- Rosa damascena (“Mme Hardy”): Different from other varieties, particularly in terms of its appearance. It is white in color and has an intense green heart. It grows in pairs from June to July.
This list is not exhaustive. There are others, such as Rosa damascena (“Rose de Rescht”), or even Rosa damascena (“Isfahan”). As you may have already guessed, depending on the environment in which they grow, their needs and characteristics will change. The one thing that all these varieties have in common is the sweet, mellow scent that emanates from their magnificent petals.
The cosmetic properties of the Damask rose
In addition to the pleasant fragrance that emanates from the Damask rose, it has numerous properties that make it an ingredient of choice in cosmetic formulations. In order to fully enjoy its benefits, it is essential that harvesting be carried out under certain conditions. First of all, Damask roses must be harvested at dawn so that the sun does not attenuate their scent. They must then be distilled soon after to preserve all their benefits. Once the petals have been distilled, it is possible to harness their benefits through two natural ingredients: essential oil and flower water.
Renowned for its tightening and astringent effect, it is particularly useful in anti-aging care to fight against the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging. But that’s not all it can do to enhance your beauty; although it is rich in anti-aging active ingredients, it is also suitable for all skin types. The Damask rose soothes and moisturizes sensitive skin, revitalizes dull skin, and cleanses oily skin.
As you may have already guessed, the Damask rose has it all, making it an excellent addition and an ingredient of choice in cosmetic formulations!
Flower waters by Groupe Berkem
Groupe Berkem, a specialist in plant-based chemistry, has many areas of expertise, including plant extraction. Always on the lookout for the latest trends and market needs in terms of natural cosmetics, flower waters are part of the plant extracts developed by the Group.
Damask rose flower water developed by Groupe Berkem can be used in many products with various applications: Anti-aging products and care, care for sensitive and irritated skin, cleansing hydrogel masks, face cleaners, etc. To find out more, please refer to the Damask rose flower water product sheet.
