Rose petals have been used for centuries in skin care preparations. They are gentle on the skin and have a wonderful scent. Rosewater and rose oil made from rose petals are antiseptic and astringent. Rose preparations are gentle and benefit dry or sensitive skin.

One use of rose petals is to add them to homemade facial scrubs. Grind the rose petals and add them to other ingredients that are good in facial scrubs, such as ground almonds, ground oats, cornmeal, baking soda, or clay. Using only one or two ingredients is fine. Just add enough water to a teaspoon or two of the scrub to make a paste, and gently massage your skin with the mixture.

Rosewater is a gentle astringent that can be used as a toner. Rosewater can be either bought or made at home. There are several methods of making homemade rosewater. Some involve distilling rose water on the stove or in a jar in the sun. Other methods involve letting the rose petals sit in a jar with water and witch hazel (or alcohol) for a matter of weeks, similar to how herbal tinctures are made.

Rose petals can also be used in herbal facial steams. Add the roses to other herbs, such as lavender, chamomile, calendula, or comfrey. Add water, bring the herbs to a boil and remove from heat. Sit with your face over the steam, with a towel over your head. You can also use hot water in a bowl instead of boiling water. Steam your skin for 5 to 8 minutes.

Rose oil is very expensive, because it takes many rose petals to make a little oil, but can be added to homemade lotions in small amounts. A few drops of rose oil are added to larger amounts of carrier oils, such as almond oil or grapeseed oil. Rose oil can also be used in aromatherapy. It has a soothing effect on the nerves and is helpful with tension and depression.

Always use rose petals that are pesticide-free in homemade preparations. Pesticides may irritate the skin. When using rose oil be sure it is genuine. There are synthetic rose oils for sale, but they don’t have the therapeutic effects of authentic rose oil.