Heavenly smooth skin

ALMOST every beauty product these days contains a newfangled active ingredient touted for having special properties, from gold and diamonds to saffron, beeswax and activated charcoal.

These ingredients are usually accompanied by promises of skin cell regeneration, purification and the diminishing of fine lines, spots and wrinkles.

But amid all the clamour, an old favourite – rose oil – may be worth reconsidering for those chasing heavenly smooth skin, experts say.

Rose oil is known for its ability to smooth the surface of the skin, and for encouraging cell renewal.

"Rose oil is a precious oil that is very costly to manufacture," says Birgit Huber, a German cosmetics industry expert. "About 5,000 kilograms of petals are needed to make just one litre."

Ideally, the roses used to make the oil should have been picked in the morning, when the potency of the essential oil is at its highest.

"Rose oil is especially suited to those with sensitive skin as it reduces redness," says Huber.

Along with its c o s met i c properties, rose oil is famous for its scent, and is t herefore often used in skin lotions, perfumes and bath products.

To check whether the product contains rose oil, check for the Latin words "Rosa mosqueta" or "Rosa canina".

One thing to note is that rose fragrance is not the same as rose oil. A product with rose fragrance could be made from a combination of many different substances. – dpa