People tend to have strong feelings about fragrance in their skincare. Some prefer everything unscented; others don't mind a light scent here or there, providing it doesn't linger. Personally, I'm happiest when an effective and gentle skincare product also smells good to me. No matter how well a product works, if I dislike the scent, I can't use it; but if my skin and my nose happen to agree, then I'm delighted.
Since I already love wearing rose perfumes, I'm partial to rose-scented body products and skincare. I'm currently fascinated by Gülsha, a skincare collection made by a Turkey-based family business that has produced raw materials like rose absolute and rose water for the fragrance industry since 1965. Robin posted a Gülsha product as a "lemming of the day" back in March, and if the rose ingredients hadn't made me curious, the sweet packaging would have lured me in.
Now that I've had a chance to try a few items from Gülsha, I'm a fan. The brand's signature product seems to be its Ultimate Rosewater ($10 for 50 ml or $20 for 200 ml). Gülsha states that "by not separating the valuable rose essential oil during the distillation process," it has created a rosewater that "contains all the vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids of the precious rosa damascena flower." I like using rosewater as a post-cleansing facial toner, a mid-day refresher, a pillow spray, etc. This one has a delicate natural rose scent— a bit spicy, a bit waxy, a bit grassy.
If you've already jumped on the micellar water bandwagon and you like roses, you'll be happy to know that Gülsha also offers a Soothing Micellar Water ($22 for 200 ml), also lightly scented with true rose essences. And then there's the Purifying Rose Dust ($20 for 40 g), a small glass jar of unassuming-looking cream-colored powder. It's actually a mix of clay, talc and mild surfactants that can be used as a combination facial cleanser and scrub; just mix a small amount with a few drops of water to use it. This product is already softly fragranced with rosa damascena essential oil, but I like to gild the lily (or the rose?) by mixing it with Gülsha's Ultimate Rosewater and applying it to my face for a minute or two, like a mini-mask. That's my idea of luxury.
Last but not least, Gülsha offers two facial oils, Perfecting Rose Elixir and Regenerative Night Rose Elixir (each $40 for 20 ml). Either one can be used on its own (after cleansing) or can be added to a conventional moisturizer. Perfecting Rose Elixir is a lightweight golden fluid that's perfect for daytime or more humid weather; it has a sweeter rose scent than its sister products. Regenerative Night Rose Elixir feels a little thicker to the touch and is spiked with extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid, making it ideal as an overnight treatment. On the other hand, it's actually more lightly fragranced than the Perfecting Rose Elixir.
Just because I can't get enough face oils or roses these days: I've already used (and raved about) Aroma M's Camellia Facial Oil, so I've been looking forward to trying this indie line's new Camellia Prickly Pear Facial Oil. In addition to the camellia and prickly pear, this formula includes a slew of emollient organic oils (rice bran, jojoba, apricot kernel, argan and evening primrose) and, best of all, it's scented with the "heady synergy" of frankincense with Moroccan and Egyptian rose essences.
This oil blend has a silky feel and it's "cosmetically elegant," as the experts say — it absorbs quickly and easily into my skin. As for its smell, the frankincense note is soothing yet more subtle than the rose, which smells honeyed and lush. If you're like me and you enjoy any kind of rose-scented daily ritual, you'll be in sensory heaven when you try this oil.
Have you ever tried a rose-perfumed product on your face, or am I alone in this obsession? Feel free to comment!
Gülsha products can be purchased through Beautyhabit and C. O. Bigelow. Aroma M Camellia Prickly Pear Face Oil ($95 for 40 ml) is available through the Aroma M website.
Typically avoid scented skincare, but your description of the Aroma M oil is tempting. I have an unscented oil by Peet Rivko that also features prickly pear. Wonder if that ingredient is a current trend?
Hm, I don’t know! It’s never appeared before in any of the products that I’ve sampled…unlike argan, maracuja, et al.!…but the press release for Aroma M’s oil states that Maria McElroy tried some prickly pear oil during a trip to Morocco and was so impressed by its effects on her skin that she decided to incorporate it into this product.
I received a sample vial of prickly pear oil with some essential oils I purchased from Nature’s Gift a few months ago. It was new to me as a skin care item, and I like the texture of it. Like the Aroma M blend Jessica reviewed, it is nongreasy and easily absorbed.
Once a week I apply a mask of clay mixed with greek youghurt and rose water and a drop of rose essential oil and I use rosewater every evening after cleansing. I haven’t seen any major improvement in how my skin looks, but they are little pleasures that make me feel better.
And that Regenerative Night Rose Elixir sure sounds lush, I’ll try to see if I can get it shipped to Uk. I was actually thinking I should look into finding a good oil to use during colder months, so thank you for these reviews!
Well, that sounds wonderful to me! and I really do think that rose fragrance has a positive effect on my mood, too. 🙂
I’m a fan of the Korres Wild Rose face cream! Very effective and gorgeously (lightly) scented.
On the other hand, I know what you mean about smells really detracting from how willing you are to use a product. I have a Graine de Pastel face cream that is beautiful–lightweight but deliciously moisturizing. Unfortunately, it’s the most acrid green smell EVER. I hold my nose as I use it, and my boyfriend refuses to kiss me for a good half hour after application. I still use it because it really is lovely, but ugh, that stench.
I’ve looked at that Korres Wild Rose line… very appealing. Maybe I’ll get some samples from Sephora…
My husband has expressed similar feelings about vanilla-flavored lip balms and jasmine-scented facial oils when I’ve used them! hah!
I like Jurlique rose products, from near Adelaide in Australia. Their facial mist is very gentle and smells beautiful. Thanks Jessica.
Oh, Jurlique! I used to love their Lavender hand cream. It’s been a while… I need to “revisit” that brand!
Yes kanuka ! I LOVED my Jurlique sample, so I must try this!
I ordered the rosewater and am intrigued by the rosedust which I hope I can split with my daughter.
Now I am craving Lush’s Argan body conditioner with Rose Jam! A great find, thanks Jessica!!
And I’ve heard that LUSH will be bringing back Rose Jam shower gel for the holiday season, huzzah!
Thanks for this, Jessica–you’re definitely not alone in loving rose-scented skin care! I’m lemming already.
Like you, I can’t stand using facial products that I don’t like the smell of. (I’ve found that I’m also all the more sensitive to purely artificial fragrance in skin care after a decade of using predominantly organic/natural products.) Thank goodness for the fact that rose has aromatherapy and skin-loving benefits! I’ve used various, random rose-scented face oils and mists, and I really like the REN Rosa Centifolia micellar water. Andalou Naturals also has a whole ‘1000 Roses’ line–of mostly facial products but also body lotion and butter–that’s good.
I’m happy to share my rosy lemmings!! and now I need to track down that Andalou Naturals rose line. I’ve tried other products from AN in the past and liked them.
I love the scent of roses in skin care products (and cosmetics too), but the only rosy product in my current repertoire is Thayer’s Rose Petal alcohol-free witch hazel toner.
Well, but that’s a *classic*! and I love the label design!