I have spent years experimenting with natural skincare and aromatherapy, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with both rose absolute and rose oil. While they’re both derived from the same iconic flower, their differences are more than skin deep. If you’ve ever wondered about the differences between these two luxurious rose extracts, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through my own personal experience with rose absolute vs rose oil, including how each has fit into my skincare, emotional wellness, and beauty routines.
Rose Absolute vs Rose Oil: The Basics
Let me start with the basics: the key difference between rose absolute and rose oil is how they’re extracted. Rose oil, also known as rose essential oil, is steam-distilled, which gives it a light, fresh scent and potent healing properties. Rose absolute, on the other hand, is extracted using a solvent, which creates a thicker, more aromatic extract that’s commonly used in perfumes.
At first, I was confused about why these two products that come from the same flower could be so different. After using both in my daily routine, though, I quickly realized that they serve very distinct purposes.
Here’s the catch: both forms have their unique strengths and purposes. Let’s break them down.
Rose Oil: Pure, Potent, and Healing
Rose oil is obtained through steam distillation, which requires a massive number of rose petals—some estimates suggest around 60,000 roses for just one ounce of oil! The result is a product that is highly concentrated and therapeutic. In my personal use, I’ve found rose oil to be incredibly powerful for skin healing. Whether you’re dealing with inflammation, acne scars, or aging skin, rose essential oil works like a dream.
Benefits of Rose Oil:
let’s take a look some of the key benefits of Rose Oil:
Healing Properties and Anti-Aging Properties
Rose oil is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making it ideal for anti-aging and rejuvenating the skin. I personally love mixing a few drops with my moisturizer to help with fine lines and dull skin.
Dr. Jessica Wu, a dermatologist in Los Angeles, explains rose oil’s benefits,
"It's packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These helps shield the skin from harm caused by free radicals, which speed up aging."
Dr. Wu says,
“Rose oil can lessen fine lines and wrinkles. It also calms irritated skin and enhances skin texture with regular use.”
A 2017 study in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications backs this up. It shows rose oil’s vitamin C boosts collagen. This makes wrinkles less visible and improves skin flexibility.
Aromatherapy Benefits
Emotionally, rose oil has an immediate uplifting effect. Whenever I’m feeling anxious or stressed, a whiff of rose essential oil helps balance my mood. Its gentle aroma is also known to promote feelings of love and comfort.
A 2016 clinical trial in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice journal showed rose oil’s power. It greatly helped new moms with postpartum depression.
Perfect for Sensitive Skin
I always use rose oil in my skincare because it’s gentle. It’s strong, yet it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.
A 2018 study in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences found something interesting. Rosa damascena essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory effects. This makes it great for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. It reduces redness and irritation without being too harsh.
However, since it’s steam-distilled, rose oil tends to have a lighter and more subtle fragrance compared to rose absolute. It also evaporates quickly, which means its scent doesn’t linger as long.
Downsides of Rose Oil:
- Price: Because of the sheer quantity of roses required to produce it, rose oil can be very expensive. It’s often considered one of the most luxurious oils on the market, and a little definitely goes a long way.
- Subtle Scent: If you’re after that strong, classic rose fragrance, you might be disappointed with rose oil’s lighter, more ethereal aroma.
Rose Absolute: Rich, Luxurious, and Perfect for Perfumery
Rose absolute, by contrast, is made through solvent extraction, which involves using a solvent like hexane to separate the aromatic compounds from the petals. This creates a product that is more affordable and often preferred in the fragrance industry due to its intense, true-to-rose scent.
In my experience, rose absolute is perfect if you’re looking for a strong, long-lasting floral aroma. It’s commonly used in perfumes and high-end cosmetics. Compared to rose oil, it has a thicker consistency and deeper, more sultry fragrance.
Benefits of Rose Absolute:
let’s take a look some of the key benefits of Rose Absolute:
Intense Scent
If you love the deep scent of roses, rose absolute is perfect. It captures the rose’s complex fragrance better than rose oil. It’s a top pick for natural perfumes in my collection.
More Affordable
Rose absolute is still pricey but cheaper than rose oil. This makes it easier to use in everyday items like body oils and lotions.
Versatility in Perfumery
Rose absolute works well with other essential oils in perfumes. I mix it with sandalwood or patchouli for a rich, luxurious scent.
Downsides of Rose Absolute:
- Not Therapeutic: Rose absolute is not as good for healing as rose essential oil because it’s made with solvents. It’s not great for skin healing or mental wellness through aromatherapy.
- Potential Sensitivities: Solvent extraction might leave chemicals behind, even in high-quality rose absolutes. Some people with sensitive skin might want to stay away from it in skincare.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, warns against using solvent extracts like rose absolute on eczema-prone or sensitive skin. She says, “Although rose absolute smells lovely, the chemicals left from making it can cause allergic reactions in some people.”
Aroma and Fragrance Profiles
The scents of rose absolute and rose oil are shaped by how they’re made. Rose absolute has a deep, intense floral smell with notes of honey and spice. It also has a hint of rosy-green.
Rose oil, on the other hand, is lighter and fresher. It smells more like the real rose flower. Its fragrance is uplifting and less intense.
Fragrance lovers often choose rose absolute for its deep, luxurious scent. It’s great in perfumes, skincare, and aromatherapy. Rose oil, with its fresh and uplifting smell, is versatile in personal care and wellness.
How to Use Rose Oil
For best results, I usually apply a few drops of rose oil diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba or argan oil directly to my skin. It’s excellent for calming flare-ups, hydrating dry patches, or even as part of an anti-aging regimen. Rose oil’s light, ethereal fragrance also makes it a great addition to any diffuser blend, especially if you’re in need of emotional grounding.
My Experience with Rose Oil: Healing and Uplifting
I first tried rose oil after reading about its skincare benefits, and I was immediately hooked. This oil is an absolute game-changer for my skin. Unlike some essential oils that can be harsh or overly drying, rose oil feels gentle, soothing, and nurturing. It’s been especially helpful when I’ve had flare-ups of redness or sensitivity.
Skin Healing and Anti-Aging
One of the biggest reasons I keep rose oil in my skincare routine is its magical ability to calm irritated skin and even help with breakouts. My skin tends to be sensitive. When I started using rose oil mixed with a carrier oil like jojoba, I noticed a huge reduction in redness and irritation. It’s also great for acne scars—I’ve seen my skin texture improve over time, and it looks smoother overall.
I later found that rose oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. These are amazing for repairing skin and boosting collagen.
I was curious if there was any science behind what I was seeing, so I did some digging. According to Dr. Jessica Wu, a dermatologist from Los Angeles, rose oil is known for its anti-aging and healing properties. She says,
“The antioxidants in rose oil help reduce the appearance of fine lines and protect the skin from free radical damage.”Based on my experience, I can say that’s absolutely true. My skin always feels more hydrated and plumper when I use it consistently.
Aromatherapy Benefits: A Mood Lifter
In addition to the skincare benefits, rose oil’s scent is like a warm hug for the soul. There have been countless evenings when I’ve diffused rose oil to help me unwind after a long, stressful day. There’s something about the delicate floral aroma that instantly makes me feel more centered and peaceful. It’s like inhaling pure positivity.
I’ve also used rose oil to calm myself when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed. A couple of deep breaths of rose oil, and I notice an almost immediate shift in my mood. Research supports this, too. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Complementary Therapies found that rose oil had a significant effect in reducing postpartum depression in new mothers. I can personally attest to its calming, uplifting power—it really helps me regain emotional balance.
My Experience with Rose Absolute: The Scent That Lasts All Day
When I want a powerful, long-lasting rose scent, I reach for rose absolute. If rose oil is light and ethereal, rose absolute is rich, deep, and sensual. It’s the kind of fragrance that lingers, making it perfect for when I want to feel extra luxurious or elegant.
Intense Fragrance for Perfumery
The first time I used rose absolute, I immediately noticed how much stronger and more true-to-life the scent was compared to rose oil. It’s a bit like inhaling a bouquet of freshly bloomed roses—it’s rich and heady, and it stays with you long after you’ve applied it. I’ve used rose absolute to create my own perfumes by blending it with oils like jasmine or sandalwood, and the results have been nothing short of magical.
This is one of the reasons why rose absolute is such a staple in the perfume industry. It delivers that deep, intoxicating rose scent that rose oil just can’t replicate. If you’re a fragrance lover like I am, this is the one you want for creating custom, long-lasting perfumes.
Affordability and Accessibility
I sometimes choose rose absolute because it’s more affordable than rose oil. It’s made using solvents, which makes it cheaper to make. This makes it a good choice for adding luxury to my daily lotions and bath oils.
But I use it with care. Rose absolute is made with chemicals like hexane. Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist in New York, warns about using it on sensitive skin. She says it might irritate sensitive skin, so it’s better for perfumes than direct skin use.
The Downside of Rose Absolute for Skin Care
While I adore rose absolute for its fragrance, I’ve found that it’s not the best option for my skincare routine. My skin tends to be on the sensitive side, and the solvent extraction process used to make rose absolute can cause irritation if applied directly to the face. So, I tend to keep it for perfume-making or as an addition to body oils, rather than using it in my facial skincare routine.
Summary
So, after years of using both, which one do I prefer—rose absolute or rose oil?
If I had to choose one, I’d go with rose oil for its versatility and therapeutic benefits. It’s a must-have in my skincare routine because it helps with healing, reduces redness, and leaves my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Plus, its ability to lift my mood on a tough day is priceless. Whether it’s calming my sensitive skin or soothing my emotions, rose oil is a true multitasker.
But rose absolute has its place, too. If you’re someone who loves a strong, sensual rose fragrance, rose absolute is unbeatable. It’s perfect for making perfumes or adding a touch of luxury to bath oils, and I love using it when I want to feel elegant and indulgent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can rose oil be used directly on the skin?
A: While rose oil is highly concentrated, it should always be diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil before applying it directly to the skin.
Q: Can rose absolute be used on the skin?
A: Yes, but with caution. Because rose absolute is extracted using solvents, it’s best used diluted in a carrier oil, and some people may prefer to keep it for perfumes or aromatic uses rather than direct skincare.
Q: Is rose oil better for sensitive skin?
A: Yes. Rose oil, especially if it’s pure and organic, is generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin types due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Q: Why is rose oil so expensive?
A: Rose oil is expensive because it takes a large number of rose petals to produce just a small amount of oil. The steam distillation process is also time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Q: Can I use rose oil and rose absolute together?
A: Absolutely! Some people enjoy combining both to create custom perfumes or blends that have both therapeutic and aromatic benefits.
Q: How do I know if rose oil is pure?
A: Look for 100% pure, organic rose oil, preferably labeled Rosa damascena or Rosa centifolia. Be wary of cheaper alternatives that might be diluted or synthetic.
