BellaVita loves Rosemary Essential Oil. Playing a starring role in our formulations such as Daylight and Evening Face Creams, and Facial Elixir, this beautiful and fragrant evergreen has much to offer your skin.
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean. Its name is derived from the Latin words “ros” (dew) and “marinus” (sea), which means “dew of the Sea.” It also grows in England, Mexico, the USA, and northern Africa, namely in Morocco.
Rosemary has a rich history and was considered sacred by ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Hebrews, and Romans, who used it for numerous purposes. (The garlands you see in pictures and sculptures around the heads of Greek scholars were made of Rosemary, as it was believed to improve memory!) Both the Greeks and the Romans used Rosemary in almost all festivals and religious ceremonies.
Rosemary leaves and oil were popularly used in culinary preparations in Mediterranean cuisine, while in Egypt the plant, as well as its extracts, were used for incense. (One of the many lores about Rosemary says that at the time of Mary and Joseph’s escape into Egypt, Mary rested under a rosemary bush and spread her cloak on it to dry. The flowers miraculously changed from white to the blue of her cloak.)
Rosemary’s distinctive fragrance is characterized as evergreen, citrus-like, and herbaceous. Rosemary Essential Oil is derived from the aromatic herb Rosmarinus Officinalis, a plant belonging to the mint family (which includes Basil, Lavender, Myrtle, and Sage). Its flat pine needles have a light trace of silver, similar to lavender.
This this potent botanic is safe for daily use and on all skin types. There is plenty of science to back up anecdotal evidence that it benefits skin. Some of those benefits include:
- Antioxidant – Rosemary leaf extract protects the skin and prevents signs of premature aging with high-powered antioxidants. Its antioxidant properties reinforce blood capillaries, helping to reduce signs of aging.
- Regenerative – Rosemary stimulates biological activity and cell growth to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps tighten loose or sagging skin for a firmer and more youthful appearance.
- Anti-inflammatory – Rosmarinic acid (the main component in rosemary leaf extract) is deeply calming for skin conditions like eczema and acne.
- Antiseptic – When used on the scalp, Rosemary is proven to help reduce dandruff and other skin conditions.