Redhead skin can be very sensitive and can appear flushed with rosy cheeks. Balancing out redhead skin is usually something we desire, especially as we get more mature. Rose ingredients can calm skin irritation and redness due to its high content of anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to help with a variety of skin problems such as rosacea, eczema, and acne. It also has anti-aging properties and can reduce fine lines and sunspots. Just the smell of this beautiful flower alone is said to lift your mood and balance your hormones. What is not to love?
When you see “rose” cosmetic products, the ingredients are usually rosewater, rose oil, and/or rosehip oil.
Rosewater and rose oil come from the steam or oil extracted from the petals of various types of roses. But, rosehip oil comes from the fruit of a rose — the fruit is sort of a wild cousin of a rose.
Rosewater and oil products are used more for their calming olfactory effects and mild astringent properties; rosehip products are used more for reducing redness and inflammation of the skin.
Below are a variety of ‘Redhead Friendly’ rose products and DIYs*:
1. Rosewater Toners
Recommended Products: Heritage Store Rosewater, $20, Burt’s Bees Rosewater Toner, $10.50 & Thayers Rose Petal Facial Toner, $11
There are many different brands on the market these days and the key to choosing a good one is to make sure it contains very few ingredients — this is a must when deeming anything ‘Redhead Friendly’. It should really only contain rose water and possibly vegetable glycerin –– nothing else. A lot of the fancier ones pack too many ingredients into them and this may actually end up harming your redhead skin, rather than helping it. The Heritage Store Rosewater can be applied on the face and body to make you feel super clean and pretty.
The Burt’s Bees Rosewater Toner can be used before applying your daily face moisturizer and sunblock but after washing your face. Apply a dab of it onto a cotton ball and dab or gently wipe the oilier areas of your face. This product helps reduce excess oil and wipe off any cleanser that might have been left behind in order to help reduce breakouts.
Thayers Rose Petal Facial Toner mixes the effects of Witch Hazel with Rosewater and Aloe Vera to create a gentle and natural toner that smells like your favorite garden. Since this brand markets itself as avoiding unnecessary processing in order to produce top of the line all-natural products, they do mention that the clarity of the product might vary. Besides that, they recommend placing a small amount of the toner on a cotton ball or pad and gently wiping your face in order to tone and moisturize or just to refresh on a particularly hot day.
2. Facial Cleanser
DIY Product: Purchase plain rosewater and mix it with your cleanser
I personally haven’t found a great facial cleanser with rose water in it, as many contain lots of ingredients that I am trying to avoid in my journey to a greener skincare routine. So, instead, I make my own! I purchase plain rose water and mix it with my favorite cleanser. I wash my face with this every night.
3. Rose Scented Body Butter
Recommended Product: Pacifica Persian Rose, $15
Pacifica Persian Rose is my absolute go-to scent (especially for the fall season). It has a deep, sultry rose scent with notes of violet and myrrh. It locks in hydration for hours and makes my skin extra soft. Plus, it smells amazing. It can also be used layered with their Pacifica Persian Rose Roll-On Perfume for a longer-lasting scent.
4. Rose Face Cream
Recommended Product: FRESH Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, $42
This product contains a rich, creamy texture. I have combination skin and tend to keep it for the dry patches of my skin. It helps retain moisture in the skin and soothe redness. In addition, it does not contain any of the nasties such as SLS and parabens.
5. Rosehip Oil
DIY Product: Purchase plain rosehip oil to implement into your routine**
I tend to use this in my body care regime because I find oils a little too heavy for my face. However, if you have very dry or mature skin this would be excellent as a facial moisturizer by itself. It contains high levels of vitamin A and E both of which are essential for healthy skin. These vitamins can increase the elasticity of your skin and also brighten your complexion. You can also add a few drops of this to a cleanser if you feel you need more moisture in your skin. A famous makeup artist also stated that she applied it under makeup for people with dry-very dry skin and it helped the skin stay luminous and fresh. Rosehip oil is equally amazing for hair care, simply run some through your hair for natural frizz-control and shine.
**A little goes a very long way. A few drops will be enough.
6. DIY Rose Facial Mask
DIY Product: Rose clay mask. See the ingredients and directions below.
There are numerous benefits to using a homemade mask and it is also fun to make with the girls on the weekend (don’t forget the cucumber slices to make it spa-like!). The green clay works to pull impurities and toxins out of the skin, while the rosewater is nourishing and provides vitamins and minerals the skin needs. It is best to only use this mask once a week because you do not want to strip your skin of its natural oils.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Blend these two ingredients together to form a semi-thick paste and apply to face gently with fingertips. Allow this to sit for 20 mins on your face and then wash off with a lukewarm washcloth.
7. Rose Perfume
Recommended Product: LUSH Rose Jam, $50
This product utilizes the titular flower’s wonderful smell to create a popular perfume. This perfume comes in a small jar where the jam can be applied directly to the skin. Users report a faint pink pigment being left behind along with a fresh and gentle smell of roses that fades gracefully throughout the day.
8. Rose-Infused Skincare Lines
Recommended Skincare Line: Essano
Can’t get enough of rose products and want it in all of your products? New Zealand based Essano brand has an entire line of rosehip products which include their “Moisture Restorative Night Creme”. In this jar, the rosehip oil is paired up with Jojoba oil, Aloe Vera, and Shea butter to maximize moisturization while you sleep.
9. Rose Bath Bomb
Recommended Product: LUSH Rose Jam Bubbleroon, $9
LUSH mixed the sweet smells of their “Rose Jam” perfume with shea butter to create a fun and relaxing bath bomb — glitter included! Some purchasers do recommend cutting the Bubbleroon into smaller pieces in order to decrease the intensity of the glitter and to crumble it into the water to maximize the bubbling. Besides a glitter warning, this product promises to leave you petal soft and rose sweet after a relaxing bath.
10. Rose Shower Oil
Recommended Product: Love Beauty and Planet Rose and Almond Shower Oil, $7
This product can be used in two ways. You can apply it directly to your skin as an in-shower moisturizer (especially after shaving) or pour a bit of it into your bath to soak it up while you unwind after a long day. Either way, this product is reported to leave a pleasantly faint smell of almonds and roses while leaving you moisturized.
Rock it like a Redhead!
*Before you test any of these products keep in mind that any product that goes on your skin, especially your face, could lead to an allergic reaction. While some people report incredible results from using rose and rosehip based products others report negative and allergic reactions.
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