Ingredient Spotlight: Rose

Ingredient Spotlight: Rose

Rose is one of the most iconic materials in perfumery—timeless, complex, and infinitely nuanced. But the roses used in fragrance creation are very different from the long-stemmed varieties associated with Valentine's Day. In perfumery, we work with rare, highly aromatic species that offer unparalleled olfactive beauty.

What Makes Perfumery Roses Unique?

The most prized roses for perfumery belong to two specific species:

  • Rosa Centifolia — primarily grown in Grasse, France; blooms only in May; harvested by hand.
  • Rosa Damascena (Damask) — grown mainly in Turkey, Bulgaria, Iran; highly fragrant, but different in character.

Centifolia, also known as the “May Rose,” is considered the gold standard for fine fragrance. Its delicate, faceted aroma contains hundreds of natural components—a complete perfume contained in a single bloom.

How Rose Is Used in Fragrance Creation

Perfumers can use materials that capture the entire rose profile or focus on specific facets of the flower.

Complete Rose Materials

Produced via steam distillation or solvent extraction (concretes and absolutes), these materials represent the full aromatic signature of the flower. We carry more than 15 varieties in our palette, with the finest qualities exceeding $23,000 per kilogram.

Rose Facet Molecules

Perfumers also use natural and synthetic molecules to highlight specific aspects of rose—dewy freshness, honeyed warmth, green crispness, peppery lift, or velvety depth. We work with more than 50 rose-related materials to achieve the perfect balance depending on the project and budget.

The Olfactive Profile of Rose

Olfactive Notes: Rose

Our Description: Rose has a delicate, ethereal floral signature combined with peppery freshness, creating a soft, velvety olfactive texture.

Fragrances on Our Site Featuring Rose

Famous examples of rose-driven perfumes: Eternity, L’Eau d’Issey, YSL Paris

Browse Related Collections

Documentation and Product Safety

Each fragrance oil page includes IFRA usage limits for every product category. SDS, allergen reports, and additional documentation can be requested below.

Documentation Request: Request documentation

Fragrance Usage Calculator: Use the calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some rose ingredients so expensive?

High-grade rose absolutes require thousands of hand-picked blossoms, limited harvest windows, and complex extraction processes—hence premium pricing.

Are rose notes always natural?

Not always. Natural extracts are beautiful but costly. Synthetic molecules help reproduce facets of rose with remarkable realism and stability, and at more accessible price points.

Why do some rose fragrances smell different from others?

Differences come from species (Centifolia vs Damask), geography, extraction method, and the perfumer’s choice of supporting materials.

Can rose fragrance oils be used in all product types?

Yes—rose can be used in any scented product. Always refer to the IFRA limits for your specific application.

In Summary

Rose is one of perfumery’s most treasured materials—rich in history, complexity, and emotional impact. Whether used as a complete extract or built through individual facets, rose brings elegance, depth, and a timeless floral signature to countless compositions.

Explore our professionally crafted rose-inspired fragrance oils in the collections above or discover the full range below.
Browse all fragrance oils

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