Roses are the traditional flowers of love and, according to experts, oil contained in the petals can have powerful effects on the heart, mind and skin. British physician Nicholas Culpeper is widely credited with discovering its ability to strengthen the heart, relieve headaches and for its cooling and astringent properties. Rose oil is used in aromatherapy to calm, balance emotions and to promote happiness. Bulgarian Damask, or Rosa Damascena, is considered the premium source for use in aromatherapy and in cosmetics and, because it is so widely sought - and because it takes about 60,000 roses to distil one ounce of oil - it is also one of the most expensive ingredients to be used in the industry. Oil extract is available in two forms: Otto, or true essential oil and absolute. The former is made from a two-step, and more expensive distillation process, while the latter is made from a more efficient distillation process that produces more oil per weight. Experts generally agree that Otto is the higher quality oil.
Gorgeous by name and gorgeous to the senses, this tiny Australian brand takes the back-to-basics concept literally. Founded in the late 1980s by husband and wife team Clive Newland and Dee Light - the former an aromatherapist, the latter a former Japanese linguist turned entrepreneur - the company is rooted in a 'nature rules' philosophy. Products are oil-based, contain no water (according to the brand water grows bacteria, which means products containing any water require preservatives) and are made from 100 per cent pure and natural essential oils.
That standard applies to 1 per cent of all the essential oils available worldwide, according to the brand - but equates to skin care that supports the immune system and moistens, softens and calms skin in the purest way. The pair have a hands-on approach to their business: they hand-blend every product produced, hand-fill the bottles and pack the products by hand from their Noosa, north of Brisbane, base.
Gorgeous is also fairly unique in the beauty industry for eschewing the anti-ageing bandwagon. 'We come from the premise that you are gorgeous the way you are, and that each one of us is truly and uniquely beautiful,' the brand says. 'Our primary goal is to set women free. Free from the need to compete, to look perfect, to always have the latest, to slow down ageing until it becomes an obsession. We believe that, once free, a woman is truly gorgeous.'
Rose oil is a basic ingredient in most of the product line of eight. The ingredient is favoured for its ability to be quickly absorbed by the blood, which increases blood flow and leads to more nutrients reaching the skin.
It is said to be particularly effective in balancing sensitive, dry and mature skin.