Rose is one of the most coveted botanicals in the beauty and fragrance industry with Rosa Centifolia sitting comfortably on the throne. Its composition in perfumery, purpose in aromatherapy, and efficacy in skincare remains unparalleled, and essential within every perfumer or formulator’s repertoire. Rosa Centifolia absolute is an extraction from the petals of the rose flower, which also goes by the following names: Rose de Mai, Rose Morocco, Rose Maroc, Provence Rose, Cabbage Rose, and Rose of a Hundred Petals depending on the location of where the rose was cultivated. This absolute of Rosa Centifolia is organically cultivated and extracted from hexane-free organic solvent, performed during the month of May in France when the rose blossoms are at it’s olfactory peak. Thus, our Rosa Centifolia is referred to as Rose de Mai, and delightfully envelops the user with a sweetly rich, honeyed rose aroma that is slightly spicy, clear, and deeply tender. It is commonly used in skincare formulations as a soothing and nurturing anti-inflammatory ingredient, as well as an uplifting and comforting component in aromatherapy to help with depression and grief.
The aroma of Rose de Mai absolute is different than Rosa Damascena, the other superb quality rose oil that is often used in beauty and fragrance. Rose de Mai goes through a specific extraction method that isolates the aromatic compounds, pigments, and wax into a concrete that is then vacuum processed, washed, and evaporated to yield a final Rose de Mai Absolute. Unlike steam distillation in which Rosa Damascena endures, Rose de Mai is processed at a low temperature, and thus tends to be closer to the true scent of the fresh rose and has a clear, youthful honeyed rose aroma that is potent and highly tenacious.
Regardless of extraction method, rose oil itself commands a high price point since it requires approximately 60,000 rose petals to obtain a single ounce of oil. Coupled with a labor-intensive harvest done by hand before sunrise and processed the same day, it’s no wonder Rose oil is one of the most expensive botanicals in the world.
Although it is costly, Rose centifolia is one of the best all-purpose pure essential oils for your collection. This is a tender, uplifting and soothing oil that helps fight depression, grief, anger and fear, and is also used as a tonic for the heart and digestive system. Other reputed benefits of Rose de Mai include relieving depression, sedative, anxiety, calming, laxative, aphrodisiac, nervous tension, may increase semen count, cooling, liver, stomach, blood purifier, and spiritual love. Rose oil is used in cosmetics for broken capillaries, dry skin, eczema, herpes, mature and sensitive skin, and anti-wrinkle formulations.
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