The beautifying power of flowers
We all love a floral scented beauty product, but some flowers have the ability to boost both mind and beauty with their extraordinary powers. Flowers have been used for thousands of years in for healing: Buddhist monasteries still house large gardens to grow flowers for healing; the flowers are floated in water and given to people to drink. Whether or not you believe in that kind of petal power, beauty products are packed with floral fancies.
Rose
The rose is probably one of the most popular flowers in beauty; not only is the smell divine, but it's a skincare power player and takes thousands and thousands of petals to produce one ounce of oil. Rose extracts — water and essential oil — are usually obtained by a steam distillation process to keep as much potency as possible from the petals, although Rose Absolute needs a more sophisticated process called solvent extraction. Rose oil is rich in vitamins and flavinoids that are beneficial to the skin and high in antioxidants to protect from . It can increase the skin's elasticity and help in warding off wrinkles and adds nourishment to keep the complexion moisturised and glowing. Because rose extracts have healing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, they can be used to treat acne-prone or sensitive skin. When it comes to how the scent of rose can boost our mood, it's a true marvel. Rose oil, in either a carrier oil for massage, a bath oil, or in an oil burner that diffuses into the atmosphere, can calm and soothe anxiety and promote feelings of wellbeing through the olfactory senses. Try: Fushi Organic Rose Petal Oil, £13.22. www.fushi.co.uk
Lavender
While lavender has a reputation as an old fashioned ingredient, it is traditionally known as a sleep remedy, but can be used in balms and salves for its powerful antiseptic abilities - during World War One, lavender was used to disinfect floors and walls. In skincare, lavender is used for its astringent properties in toner to freshen the skin, making it ideal for spot or acne prone complexions. Lavender is also excellent for relieving aching muscles — just add a few drops of Lavender essential oil to a hot bath to release tensions, and it is said that if you apply it to your temples while you have a headache, it will soothe and relieve. Used in a burner or diluted in a carrier oil, lavender oil can calm stress and irritability as well as help with insomnia and, reportedly, nightmares. Try: Origins Calm To Your Senses Lavender and Vanilla Oil For bath & Body, £21. www.origins.co.uk
Chamomile
Strictly speaking, Chamomile is a herb, but has beautiful daisy-like yellow and white flower heads and is used in beauty for everything from under-eye circles to bringing out blonde tones in hair. There are two types of Chamomile; Roman and German and both are highly soothing for troubled, irritated skin thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory properties. The flower also helps with cell regeneration which in turn leads to healthier, younger looking skin — no wonder it is so popular! Because of its delicate nature, it is most commonly used in eye-creams where the skin is thinner and more fragile than the rest of the face. To make your own Chamomile hair rinse to enhance blonde tones in light brown, red or blonde hair simply use 3 or 4 Chamomile tea bags to one large mug of boiling water. Allow to cool and use as a finishing rinse after shampooing and conditioning. Try: Elemis Soothing Chamomile Cleanser, £19.40. www.salonskincare.co.uk
