Florals · Ingredient
Rose
FloralsBoth
What does rose smell like?
Rich, romantic, and multifaceted. Can range from fresh and dewy to deep, honeyed, and jammy depending on the species and extraction method.
About Rose
Rose is the queen of perfumery. There are over 300 species used in fragrance, but two dominate: Rosa damascena (Damask rose) from Bulgaria and Turkey, and Rosa centifolia (May rose) from Grasse, France. Each has its own personality. Damask rose is honeyed, jammy, and intense. Centifolia is greener, lighter, and more delicate. Perfumers have been working with rose for centuries, and it remains one of the most expensive natural materials, with roughly 10,000 pounds of rose petals needed to produce just one pound of rose absolute.
Origin and Extraction
Origin
Bulgaria, Turkey (Damask), Grasse France (Centifolia), Morocco
Extraction Method
Steam distillation produces rose otto (essential oil). Solvent extraction produces rose absolute, which is richer and more complete.
Common Pairings
Rose works especially well alongside these ingredients:
Interesting Facts
- It takes roughly 10,000 pounds of rose petals to produce one pound of rose absolute.
- Bulgaria's Rose Valley produces about 85% of the world's rose otto.
- Rose has been cultivated for fragrance use for over 5,000 years.
Fragrances featuring Rose
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rose smell like?+
Rich, romantic, and multifaceted. Can range from fresh and dewy to deep, honeyed, and jammy depending on the species and extraction method.
Is Rose natural or synthetic?+
Rose used in modern perfumery is both. Rose is the queen of perfumery.
What fragrances have Rose?+
Rose is a key ingredient in Cologne Satin Oud Extrait Sapphire Edition, among others.
Try before you commit to the bottle
Not sure yet? Our 10ml gives you 150+ sprays to decide. Starting from under $7.
References
- Ohloff, Gunther. "Scent and Chemistry." Wiley-VCH, 2012.
Last updated: 2026-04-18