Bottle of Bulgarian rose oil beside Damask roses

Bulgarian Rose Oil – One of Our Homeland's Treasures

Bottle of Bulgarian rose oil beside Damask roses

Rose oil is one of the symbols of Bulgaria. The Bulgarian oil-bearing rose has traditionally represented our country around the world, and its qualities are unrivalled. All over the world rose oil is valued in skin and hair care, it is used in homemade cosmetics, in the making of perfumes and in industrial cosmetic products. From the beginning of the 20th century to this day, Bulgarian rose oil has enjoyed exceptional popularity. It will hardly surprise you that our country is the world leader in rose oil production and that the finest rose oil is obtained right here.

1Bulgarian rose oil – InaEssentials

In this article we will introduce you to the Bulgarian rose from which rose oil is obtained. We will tell you a little about the technology behind it, about its uses and its benefits. We will point out its advantages and, above all, we will convince you that choosing organic rose oil is the best choice you can make!

Picking the oil-bearing Damask rose in the Rose Valley
3000–3500 kg
of rose blossom are needed for 1 kg of rose oil
May – June
is how long the rose harvest lasts, and the picking is done at dawn
2014
„Bulgarian rose oil“ is a protected geographical indication in the EU

2Bulgarian rose oil – a few words about its qualities and how it is produced

Rose oil is a product obtained through the steam distillation of the blossom of the oil-bearing rose (Rosa Damascena). The oil-bearing rose comes in several varieties, but the most popular one, grown here in Bulgaria as well, is the Damask rose. It is thought that the Persians were the first to grow oil-bearing roses and to obtain rose oil, known today as „liquid gold“. Alexander the Great is believed to have brought the precious liquid and the tradition of producing it to our lands. The Damask rose is also known as the Kazanlak oil-bearing rose. Damascena is the rose variety with the most concentrated essential oil content, and for that reason it is called „the queen of the oil-bearing roses“ not only here, but all over the world.

Loading rose blossom into the still for steam distillation

The journey from the rose blossom to the bottle

1
Picking at dawn. The blossom is picked by hand from sunrise until around 10 in the morning, while the aromatic compounds are at their highest concentration.
2
Fast transport. The picked blossom travels to the distillery within a few hours, so that it does not begin to warm up and lose its scent.
3
Steam distillation. The steam passes through the blossom and carries the essential compounds with it, which then condense.
4
Separation. The oil gathers on the surface and is separated from the water phase, which remains as rose water.
5
Storage. The finished oil is bottled and kept in a cool, dark place, where it keeps its scent for a long time.
The rose harvest is short: a whole year of work comes together in a few weeks between May and June.

What makes organic Bulgarian rose oil so special?

Rose oil contains more than three hundred different substances. The pleasant, captivating and inimitable scent of our native rose oil comes from the wonderful place where it is grown, namely the Rose Valley. When the distillation of the rose oil takes place, we obtain the much-loved rose water. What is remarkable about rose oil is that, stored correctly, it keeps its scent and its qualities for a very long time. You can use it over a long period without it losing its qualities!

Rose water among Damask rose blossom

Rose oil and rose water: one distillation, two different products

Concentrate
Organic rose oil
The essential part of the distillation. It is used by the drop, diluted in a cream, a serum or a carrier oil. The scent is deep and lingers for hours. See the product
Everyday care
Rose water (hydrolat)
The water part of the same distillation. Far lighter, it is used every day as a facial toner, before your cream or to freshen up during the day.

What rose oil does for the skin

Organic rose oil is in itself a universal natural helper in skin care. Thanks to its rich elemental composition of organic compounds, it is suitable for every skin type. In its complexity, the oil-bearing rose and the oil obtained from it have no equal in nature.

Damask rose blossom, the raw material for organic rose oil
Rose oil improves and tones the appearance of the skin in an inimitable way.
It balances its composition, it contains no toxic elements and is therefore suitable for sensitive skin, as it rarely causes irritation.
With rose oil you can tone the skin and give it a radiant complexion in a short space of time.
It is perfect for problems with dry, damaged and mature skin. Many people include it in the daily care of skin prone to acne and enlarged pores.

The scent, the toning effect and hair care

People with dry, irritated skin prone to eczema, or with visible dilated capillaries, can include rose oil in their daily care.

A woman breathing in the scent of an oil-bearing rose in the rose plantations
Among the qualities of Bulgarian rose oil that are held in high regard are its aromatherapeutic properties. In aromatherapy it is associated with a feeling of calm and good spirits, while in cosmetics it is valued for its toning effect on the skin.
Since ancient times the scent of rose oil has been known to calm the mind and create a sense of harmony.
The toning effect of rose oil is valued in the care of the scalp and the hair roots. For the skin and its visible firmness, as well as for care against the first wrinkles. And for the feeling of tone of the skin all over the body.
But above all, rose oil is among the most treasured beauty products today and in the past!

When it comes to oil-bearing roses grown and harvested by an ecological, organic method, the oil becomes an even more precious ingredient. Because the use of chemical preparations reduces the valuable properties of essential-oil crops.

For how rose oil works in a finished product, see the family-made face serum with organic rose oil.

3Bulgarian rose oil – „A gift from nature“

Bulgarian rose oil is a unique product and Bulgarians can only be proud of it. As the queen of flowers, the oil-bearing rose is known all over the world, but beyond being beautiful and regal, it also has irreplaceable qualities for beauty.

Legend has it that the rose appeared together with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, out of the sea foam, and to this day it is a symbol of feminine beauty and charm.

Organic Rose Essential Oil from Rosa Damascena in a customer's hands

Growing roses organically here is closely tied to the cycles of nature. The organic rose is produced biodynamically and the „living energy“ in it is concentrated to the maximum.

In conclusion, we can say that Bulgarian rose oil is „a gift from nature“ and one of the symbols of Bulgaria!

Turn to your roots, turn to Bulgarian rose oil and experience its benefits today!

Organic Rose Essential Oil from Rosa Damascena

Organic Rose Essential Oil from Rosa Damascena by InaEssentials

Distilled from our own plantations near Panagyurishte, with a certificate for organic production. A few drops are enough for weeks of care, added to your cream, your serum or a carrier oil.

A cosmetic product for external use. Used diluted, by the drop.
See the product here

You can buy quality organic rose oil from: https://inaessentials.us/ , a Bulgarian producer of organic crops for more than 25 years.

You can buy rose oil here: organic rose oil

4How to use rose oil in your daily care

Rose oil is a concentrate, not a finished cosmetic product to be applied directly to the skin. A few drops last a long time, as long as you know where to put them.

Five ways to add it to your routine

  • In your day or night cream. 1 to 2 drops into the portion of face cream, mixed on your palm before you apply it.
  • In a carrier oil. A few drops in almond, jojoba or rosehip oil turn the mixture into an oil for the face or the décolletage.
  • In hair care. A drop in a mask or in an oil for the ends, for scent and a feeling of softness.
  • In homemade cosmetics. Many of our customers add it to their own creams, balms and bath salts.
  • For the scent of your home. A drop in an aroma lamp or in a bowl of warm water fills the room with the scent of the Rose Valley.

Before you use it for the first time: apply diluted oil to a small patch of skin and wait a day. Keep the bottle tightly closed, in a cool, dark place, and out of reach of children. Do not apply undiluted oil to a large area of skin and avoid contact with the eyes.

Rose oil works in hair care too: take a look at the magical rose shampoo for dry and damaged hair.

5What people say about Bulgarian rose oil

The product rating in the shop is 5.0 out of 5 from 7 reviews. The reviews below were published by verified buyers and are quoted word for word.

★★★★★

„I've been adding it regularly to my daily face cream now – just 2-3 drops, mix it right in (you can use it in your body creams too!). The results are absolutely brilliant! It makes the cream go on so smoothly, the texture is lovely, and the smell is gorgeous. My skin feels so soft, it calms any irritations, and evens out my complexion. Even though the bottle looks tiny, you only need a tiny bit, so one goes a long way for loads of creams."

Jessica Cooper, verified purchase
★★★★★

„Fair play to the rose oil, it's brilliant!"

Alice, verified purchase
★★★★★

„Pure delight for the senses! Thanks a million 🙂"

Emma R., verified purchase

6Frequently asked questions about Bulgarian rose oil

Girls with baskets of rose blossom during the rose harvest in the Rose Valley

How is rose essential oil used on the skin?

Rose oil is a concentrate, so it is used diluted: 1 to 2 drops in your day cream, in a serum or in a carrier oil such as almond or jojoba. Before you use it for the first time, apply a small amount to the crook of your elbow and wait a day. Do not apply the oil undiluted to a large area of skin and keep it away from the eyes.

How do you recognise genuine Bulgarian rose oil?

Genuine rose oil thickens and crystallises at temperatures below 20 degrees, and turns liquid again in the palm of your hand. Its scent is deep and shifts over the hours, instead of staying the same as it does with synthetic fragrances. The name „Bulgarian rose oil“ has been a protected geographical indication in the European Union since 2014, so the origin on the label is an important guide.

What is the difference between rose oil and rose water?

Both come from one and the same distillation of the blossom of the Damask rose. Rose oil is the concentrated essential part and is used by the drop, while rose water is the water part, far lighter, and is used every day as a facial toner.

How is rose oil stored?

In a cool, dark place, tightly closed, away from direct light and from sources of heat. Under these conditions its scent and its qualities keep for a very long time. The shelf life and the storage conditions are marked on the packaging of every product.

About the InaEssentials family

The Ralchevi family in the rose plantations near Panagyurishte

InaEssentials is a Bulgarian family production with over 25 years of experience in organic farming and in natural cosmetics with rose oil, herbal waters and actives from our own plantations. Every product is created with care for the skin and with respect for nature.

The Ralchevi family grow the roses on their own plantations near Panagyurishte and distil the oil in their own distillery, so the path from the blossom to the bottle stays in one pair of hands. You can read more about the family on our about page.

Sources and important information
  • Register of protected geographical indications of the European Union (eAmbrosia): „Bulgarian rose oil“, entered in 2014.
  • Published data on the yield of essential oil from Rosa Damascena in the Rose Valley and on the ratio between the quantity of blossom and the quantity of oil.
  • Composition, purpose and instructions for use from the InaEssentials product pages.

InaEssentials products are cosmetics and are not medicines. The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Rose essential oil is a concentrate for external use: dilute it in a carrier oil or in a cream and do a test on a small patch of skin. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a skin condition, consult a doctor before adding it to your care.

This article was created with the help of AI to gather and structure the information, after which it was reviewed in detail, edited and fact-checked by our team.

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