Rose in Aromatherapy: History, Folklore, Benefits & Its Use in Natural Skincare

Rose has always held a very special place in my heart. Every time I open a bottle of Rose essential oil or work with its delicate petals in my formulations, something softens inside me. There is a quiet familiarity to its scent—like a return to warmth, to tenderness, to the gentle moments that make us feel deeply human. Few plants carry the emotional resonance, beauty, and timeless symbolism of the Rose. Throughout cultures, stories, and centuries, the Rose has been cherished not only for its fragrance, but for its ability to soothe the heart, soften the spirit, and elevate wellbeing. In aromatherapy and natural skincare, it remains one of the most treasured botanicals—gentle, nurturing, and profoundly comforting.

A Flower Rooted in History & Folklore

Roses have been woven into human life for over 5,000 years. Ancient Persians were among the first to distill Rose oil, while Egyptians and Greeks adorned temples and rituals with its petals. Cleopatra famously scented her chambers with rose to evoke warmth and seduction, and in Greek mythology, the Rose was created by Aphrodite herself—a symbol of divine beauty and eternal love.

In European folklore, Roses were believed to protect the home, soothe emotional heartbreak, and invite blessings of peace. In many traditions, Rose was considered the plant of the heart—an emblem of compassion, forgiveness, and inner balance.

Rose is more than a fragrance. It's a feeling.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Rose in Aromatherapy

Rose essential oil is cherished for its wide-reaching emotional and physical benefits. Some of its most notable properties include:

- Emotional balance & comfort  

  Rose is known as an emotional harmoniser. Its soft floral scent helps ease anxiety, stress, sadness, and emotional overwhelm. It is often used to promote a sense of being held, supported, and quietly uplifted.

- Heart-opening & nurturing  

  The aroma encourages openness and self-love, making it a powerful oil for times of grief, self-reflection, or emotional healing.

- Relaxation & improved sleep  

  Rose calms the nervous system, helping the mind settle and the body unwind.

- Hormonal balance  

  Traditionally used to ease menstrual discomfort, mood fluctuations, and tension around hormonal shifts.

The Magic of Rose in a Diffuser

Diffusing Rose essential oil or Rose essential oil blends is one of the most beautiful ways to experience its emotional depth. In aromatherapy, inhaling rose is often described as a “heart hug”—warm, soft, and quietly uplifting. Pure Rose Essential Oils are very precious. Due to Rose producing a low yield in steam distillation, it is more common to see Rose Absolute available for purchase, which is made through solvent extraction. Pure, straight Rose essential oil is called “Rose Otto.” It is a costly, concentrated volatile

chemical compound made using steam distillation from the Rose flower petals. It can take more than 11 kilograms, which is the equivalent of 10,000 fresh Roses, to only produce 5 ml, or 1 teaspoon of Rose Otto essential oil – this is why it is so expensive. For this reason, it’s common for Rose essential oil to be diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil and sold in its diluted form or to blend it with other essential oils to make it more affordable and accessible on the market.

Benefits when diffused include:

- Promotes emotional comfort and relaxation  

- Softens tension and stress  

- Creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere  

- Enhances meditation, self-care rituals, and nighttime wind-down  

- Encourages feelings of compassion, love, and inner peace

My Rose Essential Oil Blends are crafted in a synergy with other Essential Oils to bring these qualities into your home in an affordable way. Crafted with care to nurture the heart, calm the mind, and awaken the senses. Each blend centres around the timeless beauty of Rose- a sensory sanctuary of kindness, softness, and emotional balance.

 Rose Essential Oil Gift Set - Soulful blends with Rose Essential Oil

How to use:

To enjoy Rose essential oil without having to use up any drops, you can simply

inhale the aroma directly from the bottle by opening the cap, placing the bottle about an

inch below your nostrils, and taking several deep inhales through the nostrils. You might

notice a sense of calm and ease move through you. This can be repeated several times a

day for a few days or longer, or whenever needed. When using the pure Rose essential oil in an essential oil diffuser, place only 1-2 drops in the diffuser. Using Rose Essential Oil blends, put 5 - 10 drops in a burner or diffuser and remember, less is more when it comes to essential oils, as they are potent, concentrated aromatic medicine.

Rose in Natural Skincare

In skincare, rose is deeply nourishing and universally loved. Its benefits include:

- Hydration & moisture balance  

  Rose helps the skin retain moisture and supports a plump, radiant complexion.

- Soothing for sensitive or mature skin  

  Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and calm irritation.

- Supports skin regeneration  

  Rose contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental stressors and promote a youthful glow.

At Sanflora Wellbeing, I use Rose for the deeply nurturing way it supports both skin and spirit.  

You’ll find this gentle botanical in many of my most-loved products:

• Rose Face Lotion – a soft, hydrating daily moisturizer infused with rose’s calming, balancing qualities.

• Rose Night Cream – perfect for nourishing your skin overnight while soothing the senses.

• Rosewater Hydrating Tonic - with Hyaluronic Acid, crafted to rejuvenate dry and ageing skin.

• Roselight Revive Eye Cream - a rosy renewal for your delicate eye area with Caffeine and Ceramide.

• Love Body Serum - high-performance organic oils for deep hydration, firmness, and smoothness.

• Sanflora Hand Serum - enriched with powerful antioxidants to offer anti-ageing benefits

As a formulator, I’m endlessly drawn to plants that nurture both skin and soul, and Rose does this with such grace. It carries centuries of wisdom, layers of emotion, and a timeless beauty that continues to inspire my work at Sanflora Wellbeing. When I create with Rose, I’m always reminded why I love this botanical so much: it transforms a simple skincare or aromatherapy ritual into an experience of kindness, grounding, and self-connection.

Love Body Serum - handcrafted with Love and Care in Queenstown/NZ

A Sensual Wellbeing Path

For me, Rose embodies what Sanflora Wellbeing stands for: a world rooted in kindness, sensory pleasure, natural beauty, and emotional nourishment. Whether worn on the skin, blended into your evening ritual, or diffused into your home, Rose invites you to slow down, reconnect, and open your heart to gentle moments of care.

May this timeless flower continue to bring warmth, harmony, and beauty to your wellbeing journey.

Sandy

Founder, Formulator and Crafter of Sanflora Wellbeing

Naturally Gentle. Honestly You.