Roses Are the Key to Beautiful Skin

When we moved into our house six years ago, we had several healthy rose bushes next to the front door, which were beautiful and I was grateful to the previous owner for planting them. Regarding them only as a beautiful flower, I never considered using them for my topical herbal remedies when I planted my herb gardens a couple years later. Now I know better.

I have since learned that rose petals and rose hips offer an abundance of benefits for skin when used as topical agents. For one thing, both are antioxidants which neutralize free radicals to slow aging of skin tissues. They are also anti-inflammatories, combating redness, pain, itching and dryness.

Rose hips are well-known for their high vitamin C content. In fact, rose hips have more vitamin C by weight than any other source. Vitamin C as a topical is absorbed through the skin to induce collagen production, the main structural component of the skin. Collagen decreases as we age, causing skin to lose its elasticity and increase the formation of wrinkles. Vitamin C also brightens darker patches of skin, leading to a more even skin tone. An interesting fact about topical vitamin C is that if it is exposed to light, it oxidizes into erythrulose, which is a substance used to darken skin in tanning products.

Due to their high vitamin C levels, rose hips are the perfect candidates to be infused into jojoba oil and included in our Wrinkle Reducer, which consists of herbs high in vitamins A and C, such as thyme, lavender, and calendula. Jojoba is the best oil for all skin types because it has a molecular structure very close to our own skin’s sebum and is readily absorbed.

Rose petals have both emollient and astringent qualities, giving them the ability to impart softness to skin while tightening and toning. The petals strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and also provide vitamins C and A, another collagen booster.

Rose petals are perfectly used in a natural toner due to their astringent properties. The fact that they are emollients makes a toner that also protects the skin’s moisture balance. Collagen-boosting vitamins A and C are an added benefit. I make Baby Skin by steeping rose petals in hot water, adding some witch hazel, also an astringent, for a preservative, then adding a drop of rose damascena essential oil for scent. I also infuse rose petals in jojoba oil and include the rose petal oil in Wrinkle Reducer.

Rose hips and petals are beneficial in a drinkable tea for the same reasons as above and then some. The petals’ astringent properties help strengthen the inner linings of the digestive system, while rose hips contain quercetin, which reduces plaque in arteries, and catechins that lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

Beautiful Skin with Calendula

Do you want to reduce wrinkles? Soothe an itchy rash? Calm sensitive skin? Then look to Calendula, the best herb for skin that is virtually unknown to many people.

Calendula is a cheerful flower with bright yellow and orange blooms that grows enthusiastically in Northern Wisconsin and throughout the world. It is my favorite herb because of its beauty and its bountiful benefits.

Packed with Collagen-Stimulating Vitamin A

Calendula is known as a “nutritive herb” because of its high amount of vitamin A—100 times more vitamin A (by weight) than a sweet potato! Consuming calendula through a tea or tincture can improve your eye, bone, and skin health as well as boost your immunity. Topically, vitamin A stimulates collagen production, reducing fine lines and plumping sagging skin.

Good for Sensitive or Irritated Skin

In addition, calendula contains powerful anti-inflammatories, making it the perfect herb for itchy skin, irritations, and rashes. Calendula is a member of the daisy family, however, so anyone with allergies to daisies should avoid it.

Calendula blooms in the dehydrator

Growing Calendula

Calendula grows from seed planted in the cool months of spring. It reseeds itself readily, so you should get a bountiful crop every year without having to replant. It is also drought-resistant, so requires little maintenance other than weeding to achieve those beautiful blooms. The only problem I’ve had is bugs that eat the leaves and flowers. I use the hose to knock them off and encourage beneficial insects to come eat them by not using pesticides. (I would also not be able to use the plant if it was treated with pesticides or herbicides.)

Calendula Products

Wrinkle Reducer takes advantage of the collagen-stimulating abilities of the vitamin A packed into calendula’s flowers. I infuse the flowers in jojoba oil, the oil that most closely resembles our own skin’s sebum, then combine it with thyme-infused jojoba oil. Thyme has large amounts of Vitamin C which also stimulates collagen production and lightens dark patches. I add a dash of skin-loving lavender essential oil for scent.

Calendula Mousse highlights calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties in this cream for sensitive skin. It also works well for those experiencing itchy, irritated skin, including babies with diaper rash. Once again, I infuse the flowers in jojoba oil, then combine it with hypoallergenic candelilla wax and shea butter to create a creamy consistency.

Sensitive Skin Lotion consists of three ingredients: calendula, jojoba oil, and aloe. It is designed for those with extremely sensitive skin that would not be able to tolerate the candelilla wax and shea butter in Calendula Mousse.

Calendula Soap for sensitive skin is created using calendula-infused olive oil. Calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties combined with emollient-rich olive oil soothes sensitive skin and keeps it soft and moisturized.

If you would like to make your own calendula-infused oil, see my article on making an infused oil.