Have you heard of Rose Absolute? Absolutes are similar to essential oils but they differ in the method used to obtain the oil. Learn more about this aromatherapy oil and how you can use it to beautify the aroma of your home and body with these Rose Absolute Essential Oil Recipes.
Rose is a precious oil that is commonly used for fragrance, pain, relaxing, uplifting, and in DIY skincare. It is so powerful that you may only need one drop.
Rose Essential Oil vs Rose Absolute
You may have seen the term essential oil absolute but it is actually an incorrect term because absolutes and essential oils are two different things.
Absolutes are very similar to their essential oil cousins when it comes to being aromatic, sourced from plants, volatile, and able to be used for a variety of health and wellness concerns. Where they differ is with how they’re created.
Rose can be made into an absolute and an essential oil, depending on how it is extracted. Read about aromatherapy absolutes for more details on how they are made.
Steam distilled rose essential oil has more of a top note while rose absolute has more of a base note that offers greater fixative capabilities. This is one reason the absolute is preferred in perfumery.
What Does Rose Absolute Smell Like?
Rose absolute is a thick, amber colored oil that has a strong aroma of the true rose floral scent. You will find that even just one drop of absolute can fragrance an entire room like a bouquet of roses.
Here is what Eden's Garden says about Rose Absolute Oil:
Steam distilled Rose essential oil (also known as Rose Otto) has a very different aroma than Rose absolute, and is not as desirable in perfumery as Rose absolute is. Rose absolute is very high in a constituent called phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) which separates from the oil when steam distilled. PEA contributes in large part to Rose’s classic flowery aroma.
Rose Absolute Facts
One great benefit of buying rose absolute is that it costs less than rose otto essential oil.
- Botanical Name: Rosa damascena
- Family: Rosaceae
- Aroma: Rich, sweet, floral, true Rose aroma
- Extraction Method: Solvent Extraction
- Plant Part: Flowers
- Note: Middle - Base
- Consistency: Thick
- Color: Orangish - Red
- Kid Safe? Yes, kids max dilution: 0.60%
- Shelf Life: 4 Years
Rose Absolute Blends Well With
Rose blends well with other floral oils, citrus oils, and resin oils, plus many more:
- Lavender
- Clary sage
- Roman Chamomile
- Sweet orange
- Bergamot
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Frankincense
- Lemon
- Patchouli
- Tangerine
Benefits of Rose Absolute
The intoxicating aroma of rose is one of the most treasured oil. It has a myriad of benefits for emotional and physical wellbeing.
Try adding a drop of rose oil to your aromatherapy jewelry, take a deep breath and enjoy the positive effects rippling throughout your day!
Here are some rose oil benefits:
- Open the heart to unconditional love
- Relaxing effect on the mind and body
- Invites gratitude and positivity
- Uplifts emotions and nourishes the soul
- Instills feelings of love and compassion
Rose Diffuser Blends
Add essential oils recipes below to diffuser with recommended water for your diffuser tank. I like to use a 100-200 ml water tank diffuser but you can use whatever size you prefer. Read more about Diffusing Oils.
Rose Absolute Diffuser Blend - Full Bloom
Like a freshly picked bouquet of flowers, you will enjoy this floral essential oil diffuser recipe.
- 4 drops Rose Geranium
- 3 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Rose Oil
Rosy Sunshine Diffuser Recipe
Inspire feelings of love and comfort this this aromatherapy diffuser blend. Use during times of physical and emotional stress.
- 5 drops Patchouli
- 3 drops Lemongrass
- 2 drops Rose
Dreamy Meadow Diffuser Blend
Enjoy a delightful, floral rich essential oil recipe before bedtime by diffusing this dreamy oil blend.
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Cedarwood
- 2 drops Jasmine
- 2 drops Rose
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
Rose Absolute Essential Oil Recipes
1. Rosy Love Roll On Blend |
Enjoy this stress reducing essential oil roller recipe that has a rich rosy aroma.
Directions: Add essential oils to roller bottle and top off with carrier oil. Roll onto wrists, chest and shoulders, deeply inhale the aroma. 4% dilution. |
2. Rose Garden Shower Drops |
This isn't really a recipe but more an experience. I would say that you have to at least once try rose oil in a steamy shower so you can experience what it is like to instantly be transported to a rose garden.
Directions: Turn on the shower to desired temperature, once ready place 1-2 drops of rose in the shower and immediately get in. I usually will place the drops in my soap dish or on the shower floor in a corner away from the water. The aroma and steam will mix and create a lovely space for restoration, deeply breathe in the rosy scent. |
3. Rose Face and Hair Mist |
Tone and nourish your skin with this hydrating rose facial mist recipe. The rose scent is emotionally uplifting and healing as well.
Directions: Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake well before use. To use, close eyes and lightly mist onto face as needed. |
4. Overworked Massage Oil |
Let rose relieve soreness, fatigue, and overworked muscles with this essential oil blend using trauma oil.
Directions: Add essential oils to a dropper bottle or lotion pump bottle, fill rest of bottle with trauma oil. Shake to blend, label bottle. To use, massage on sore areas as desired. |
5. Lavender Rose Oil Bath Blend |
Try this calming and relaxing blend in your next bath to soak away the stresses of the day, so nourishing to both the mind and body!
Directions: Mix essential oils into Castile soap, add to warm bath. |
6. Heavenly Rose Body Lotion |
Rose has long been associated with the heart and with love. Use this lotion as a perfect way to encourage love and inspire romance. The intoxicating scent of rose oil can increased feelings of love.
Directions: Add unscented lotion to an empty container, drop the oils into the lotion and blend together well. 1% dilution. |
7. Relaxed and Content Essential Oil Inhaler Recipe |
Rose Absolute is known for its calming properties, helping to soothe emotions and nurture the heart.
Directions: Add essential oils to cotton wick and insert into inhaler. To use, bring the inhaler under nostrils and deeply inhale the aroma in. |
General Essential Oil Precautions
Never use essential oils undiluted, in eyes or mucous membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep out of reach from children.
Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, be sure you have researched the oil and that it is safe for use on kids. Plant Therapy clearly labels their oils "KidSafe" on the bottle if the oil can be used for children ages 2–10.
If applying an essential oil topically (on your skin), you may perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body, use 1-2 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil like jojoba oil.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. For more information on oil safety issues here.
Newbie to Oils? Get our guide below or read more here: Essential Oils for Beginners
What are the Differences Between Rose Essential Oil and Rose Absolute?
While both offer a distinct rosy aroma and therapeutic benefits, it's important to understand their differences to choose the one that best suits your needs. Let's explore the distinctions between rose essential oil and rose absolute, including their extraction methods, scent profiles, and therapeutic properties.
Extraction Methods
The main difference between rose essential oil and rose absolute lies in their extraction methods.
- Rose essential oil is typically obtained through steam distillation, where the petals are subjected to high temperatures to release the aromatic compounds.
- Rose absolute is extracted using a solvent-based method called solvent extraction. This technique involves immersing the petals in a solvent, which helps extract the fragrant molecules.
Scent Profiles
Both rose essential oil and rose absolute offer unique characteristics.
- Rose essential oil has a lighter, more delicate aroma compared to rose absolute. It carries floral notes with hints of sweetness and freshness.
- Rose absolute possesses a richer and more concentrated fragrance that captures the true essence of roses. Its scent is deep, luxurious, and often described as sensual.
Therapeutic Properties
Both forms of rose extract boast impressive therapeutic properties that have been cherished. However, there are slight variations in their composition that may influence their effects on the mind and body.
- Rose essential oil is known for its calming properties that help reduce stress, anxiety, and promote emotional balance. It can also be used topically for its hydrating effects on the skin.
- Rose absolute shares similar benefits but tends to be more potent due to its higher concentration of aromatic compounds. Less drops may be needed for essential oil blends.
What Rose Oil Should I Choose?
Deciding between rose essential oil and rose absolute ultimately depends on your preferences and intended use. If you're looking for a lighter aroma or wish to use it in skincare products, rose essential oil may be the ideal choice.
For stronger, aromatic presence like diffusing, rose absolute may be a better option. Rose absolute is also cheaper than the essential oil version.