This was going to be a huge transition to cold-weather post but as I started thinking of products, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share something that I think everyone should indulge in for winter, a face serum/oil, specifically one that is gorgeously dressed with notes of rose. I love face oils, they’re so concentrated nature means that each blend carries a distinct scent. I can almost instantly recall each oil I smell in a blind test. Each time I encounter a rose scented blend, my heart skips a beat. The Queen of Flowers carries a regal air and there is just something luxurious and decadent about the rose that communicates indulgence for the skin. Not only that, but rose oil is very beneficial for skin. Here are a few of its uses:
- Great at soothing irritated or sensitive skin
- Anti-inflammatory benefits that reduce redness and inflammation that can cause harm to skin
- Delivers intense moisturizing properties as the small molecules can penetrate deeper into skin
- Eliminates harmful bacteria and impurities
- Antioxidant rich to protect skin and provide anti-aging benefits
- Stimulate regeneration and healing of aged and damaged tissue
- Energizes on a cellular level
- Has the highest vibration energy frequency of any essential oil
- The aromatherapy has been shown to treat depression and boost a feeling of happiness
What better treat for skin and what better indulgence for the winter? The following are a few of my favorites.
MUN No.1 Aknari Nighttime Dream Youth Serum
Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Argan Oil, & Moroccan Rose Oil. This Moroccon sourced blend might have 3 ingredients, but they each deliver confident results and a subtle, refined fragrance. Prickly Pear and Argan are both very faint oils, Argan can smell a little nutty but it does not have a dominant profile, Prickly Pear only has a slightly richer scent almost like an eraser, which allows the Moroccon Rose to shine. A pure and fragrant essential oil that defines the scent profile of this trio. The scent is luxurious, calming, and sophisticated, lingering for just the right amount of time before dispersing.
Ila Face Oil For Glowing Skin (Click here for a full review)
There are products for people who like rose, and then there are products for the rose obsessed- this will delight the latter for sure. I described the scent in my previous review as “a hundred roses and their leaves and branches, other times its cloying overpowering nature just knocks me out“. Which should either excite you or illicit fear depending on how you feel about using fragrant products on your face. This isn’t for the conservative or shy, but rather for those looking for a bold and glorious rose statement. A hint: if all your candles are rose and your perfumes are rose, you will probably want to add this to your collection.
May Lindstrom The Youth Dew (Full review coming soon)
May Lindstrom’s The Youth Dew has a less straight forward but still powerful rose scent with dominant notes from the Rose Absolute, Rose Geranium, and Bulgarian Rose essential oils. Unlike the aforementioned serums, this beautiful scent is more complex and evolving. I would describe the fragrance almost like a mix between rose and fruit roll-up (I mean that in the best way). Not that fruit roll-ups are known for their fragrance but there is a distinct sweet fruity scent (anyone else want to back me up on this?) about this oil that brings me back to the joys of unwrapping the candied treats in elementary school. What is really interesting about the scent is that each time I think I can pinpoint it, I discover something new and it is never like how I remembered it. This is what I find so fascinating and addictive.
YULI’s Modern Alchemist captures an evocative and intricate blend with a distinct top note of Bulgarian Rose. Its expansive, aqueous Rose floral note gives a faint glimpse of nectar-like sweetness, which is then undercut by hints of fresh, light green notes including Green Tea to form a delicate, balancing act that is both luxurious and decadent without being cloying or overbearing. A testament to their fresh sourcing and production philosophy, somehow utilizing just one rose ingredient, the ode to rose is astounding in detail, encapsulating the entirety of the fresh rose: petals, nectar, stem, and all. This captivating fragrance profile is much like the brand: unique and subtle but endlessly intriguing and demanding of attention.
The best part of this list is that all the products use a natural rose essence which is very expensive and rare. This stuff is leagues better than the synthetics in many perfumes as it contains the full bodied aromatic profile of the rose and nutritional benefits.
I’m so glad that May Lindstrom retweeted your post because it helped me discover your blog. I’m a new fan of facial oils and will be sure to read all your previous posts. I have been wanting to try the Ila an Mun lines but it sounds like Ila may be a bit overpowering on the roses, maybe? I’m much more interested in the benefits of rose oils rather than the scent. At the moment I have my eye on an oil by Olie biologique called Huile Radicale which has an impressive roses ingredient list. Have you tried any of their products? I also now want to place my order immediately for May’s Youth Dew because I’m so intrigued with your fruit roll-up analogy. Sounds like a winner to me!
Hello Beth and warm welcome to my blog! For me Ila is a bit more than I like but my sense of smell is almost freakishly sharp and sensitive so I imagine it will be really good for others.
Rose oils are so beneficial, I agree! That is why I think it is wonderful to spotlight a few that are using such high quality roses.
I haven’t used anything from Olie Biologique, I get their naming so confused! But I looked at the oil you mentioned and I think I would really like it with the mix of a spicy sandalwood.
Yes please let me know if you can figure out a better way to describe the fruit roll-up like scent, I know it didn’t sound like the most refined comparison but that is the most accurate I can think of.
Anything May Lindstrom is always so amazinggg! And her youth dew is my ultimate favourite. I know what you mean when you say its a cross between a fruit rollup and rose. Its feminely-elegant-sensual and still has a subtle playful almost fruity scent I think. I always look forward to putting it on after a long day of work. The Mun oil is pretty good too, but I still have half a bottle of it and already repurchased the youth dew three times now. The Mun oil is really more fresh and great to use in the afternoons and under makeup. Love your blog so much! Thanks for sharing.
YAY I was starting to think I might have been a bit crazy since facial oils are rarely described as “fruit rollup” like, thanks for validating this! Between the Mun and the May, I would just use Mun in the morning and May at night. I don’t really know why Mun is marketing her oil for night time when the ingredients are really great for day, as you said very fresh and works well under makeup.
Hello there! First of all, thank you so much for such wonderful feedback about MUN 🙂
Second, just would like to add on to clear the confusion about when to use No.1 Aknari. Skin regenerates itself the best during the night, and plants oils we use is the purest form and doesn’t clog the pores and let the skin do the best job. That’s why we recommend to use it during the nighttime. However, you are absolutely right! It is great before applying a makeup so feel free to use it during the day with SPF (as I am sure you already do use SPF in your daily routine because sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer).
xoxo
I really like modern alchemist. I really value that it actually does not contain essential oils, but extracts, which i find much gentler on my dry and sensitive skin. I also like that yuli uses other actives (retinols etc) that make this really scientific and does not use citrus to avoid photosensitivity (unlike may lindstrom).
I don’t like rose scents, and it seems to be everywhere in natural skin care! You might also like the Youth Infusion 7 High Potency Serum from Celtic Complexion — Bulgarian and Indian Rose, amongst other high-potency oils.
ooo I would really like to try the May Lindstrom serum! I really love her products. Thanks for the great tips! http://www.faceserum.com