The chemical composition of Damask rose essential oil.

The Damask rose is an ancient and valuable rose, regarded since antiquity as the queen of flowers. Today, it primarily thrives in Bulgaria (the world's leading exporter), Morocco, and the mountains of the Isparta region in Turkey.It has been present in France since the Middle Ages and was reportedly used during this period for the creation of ointments and skin remedies.

TheDamask rose essential oil is obtained following a double distillation by steam entrainment performed from the petals of the flowers. It takes about five tons of petals, or 3 to 4 million flowers, to obtain on average 1 kg of Damask rose essential oil. This low yield explains the rarity and high price of this essential oil. In skincare, it is incorporated under the I.N.C.I. name "Rosa Damascena Flower Oil".

Generally, it is added to formulas as afragrance agent and/or to mask the smell of another compound. However, it also has regenerative properties ; it's one of the best essential oils for combating wrinkles.

This essential oil primarily contains monoterpenic alcohols (citronellol, nerol, geraniol, linalool). These molecules make up about 70% of the essential oil, with citronellol being the majority, which can be present up to 50%. Not only are these compounds known for providing a pleasant rose scent to skincare products, but they also act as tissue and cellular regenerators. They tighten tissues and thus limit the skin sagging that appears over the years. In addition, linalool and geranyl acetate, an ester present at about 5%, give this essential oil anti-inflammatory virtues and soothing properties. Indeed, these natural compounds limit the production of pro-inflammatory molecules on skin cells, thus reducing the dilation of blood vessels. Like many aromatic plants, Damask rose essential oil has antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic compounds. Finally, the high content of phenylethyl alcohol provides an antibacterial effect to the Damask rose essential oil, unlike the Damask rose hydrosol which has no anti-microbial activity.

Note : This biochemical composition is potent and can cause skin allergies. TheDamask rose essential oil should never be applied undiluted to the skin. It must be diluted to a maximum of 5% in a vegetable oil. Moreover, itis always advisable to perform askin tolerance test in the crook of the elbow 48 hours before using a treatment with Damask rose essential oil.