Types Of Rose Oil - Rose Otto vs Rose Absolute vs Others

Rose oil is one of the most cherished botanical extracts since time immemorial. From the diaries of cleopatra to modern day skincare, rose oil has continued to find its way in our wellness routines. Its romantic allure clubbed with potent bioactive make rose one of the most luxurious essential oils. With over 35,000 varieties of roses growing worldwide, it can be quite daunting to select the right grade of rose oil. As a leading wholesale essential oil supplier, Aromachology Oils team studied various types of rose oils like rose Otto, damascena, centifolia, Bulgarian, Indian, etc . We traveled to the foothills of Himalayas, France, Pushkar, Nepal and many other regions to understand the cultivation of roses and the extraction of its essential oil and absolute. 

In this blog, we break down the different types of rose essential oil for you to identify which one works best for you. 

What Are The Types Of Rose Oils?

While rose oils can be classified into different categories depending on their botanical name, origin and extraction process, here are the most common types: 

Rose Absolute Oil (Damask or Rosa Damascena)

This type of rose oil is made via solvent extraction from the petals of damask rose. That is why it is often also known as Damask rose absolute oil. This variety earlier came from Bulgaria, hence it is also known as Bulgarian rose absolute oil. Damask rose absolute oil has a strong, floral and sweet notes with hints of green that make it complex and excellent for perfumery. When you buy rosa damascena oil as a wholesale essential oil for your business, right suppliers will often give you the option to choose from pure or diluted variant. Damascena rose absolute is one of the most common and widely used varieties and is easy to recognize with its classic rosy scent. 

Learn more about difference between absolutes and essential oils with Aromachology. 

• Price Range: $3000 - $5000 per kg (2.2 lbs)
• Suggested Uses: Aromatherapy, Perfumery, Skincare
• Aroma Type: Characteristic of rose, floral, strong
  

Rose Absolute Oil (Rose De Mai or Rosa Centifolia)

Another type of rose absolute oil is rosa centifolia or rose de mai oil which literally translates into Rose of May. Centifolia rose absolute oil is also made via solvent extraction and has a sweeter scent than damask rose absolute. It is also known as cabbage rose oil and is more of cultivated variety of roses. If you are planning to use it for perfumery, than centifolia rose absolute has a more subtle scent and might need pairing for a complex perfume blend. On the other hand, if you are looking to add a natural and luxurious rose oil to your skincare products without a very strong smell, than Rose de mai absolute or centifolia rose absolute is a good fit for you. 

• Price Range: $9000 - $12000 per kg (2.2 lbs)
• Suggested Uses: Niche perfumes and Skincare
• Aroma Type: Floral, sweet, subtle

Rose Otto Oil

Revered as one of the most expensive and luxurious rose oils, rose Otto is steam distilled from rosa damascena instead of solvent extraction. The heat based steam distillation yields a much lesser extract which makes rose Otto very difficult to obtain. 

Indian Rose Oil

Indian rose oil comes from a highly fragrant variety of roses native to India. It is a more traditionally prepared rose oil and uses ancient techniques of hydro-distillation to obtain Indian rose oil. Rosa damascena and Rosa Indica are the most commonly used varieties to prepare this. Indian rose oil is a great option for those of you looking for an authentic and natural rose oil which doesn’t leave a dent on your pocket. Unlike centifolia rose absolute, this has a stronger aroma with more complex green notes. This is because the Indian rose variety is naturally more fragrant and gives more aromatic yield. 

Indian rose oil is a great essential oil for skin and an excellent addition to luxury cosmetics, perfumery, aromatherapy and other related products. 

• Price Range: $700-$1200 per kg (2.2 lbs)
• Suggested Uses: Perfumery, Skincare
• Aroma Type: Floral, Intense, More green

Rose Geranium Essential Oil

Pure rose oil is a luxurious extract and might not always fit the budget. That is where Rose Geranium Essential Oil come to the rescue. While it is not a traditional rose oil, it is basically a steam distilled essential oil from a type of geranium that smells a lot like roses. Often the cheaper yet natural rose oils you see in the market are actually rose geranium essential oil. It is perfect to add to diffusers, aromatherapy blends or even skincare products. 

• Price Range: $200-$500 per kg (2.2 lbs)
• Suggested Uses: Aromatherapy, Diffuser blends, Cosmetics
• Aroma Type: Floral and sweet with hints of geranium

Rose Oil RCO

Another great option for those looking for a cheaper alternative to rose oil is rose oil RCO which stands for recreated. Don’t confuse it with synthetic rose fragrance. It is basically a natural scent that experts have created using other natural essential oils to resemble that of pure rose oil. Unlike fragrance oils, it is free from synthetics or artificial scents. This is a good fit for those looking to add natural rose scent to their soaps, candles or any other creations. Rose oil RCO is also a great essential oil for perfume making. You can always buy it cheaper in bulk from wholesale essential oils suppliers like Aromachology Oils. 

• Price Range: $450-$850 per kg (2.2 lbs)
• Suggested Uses: Soap Making, Candle Making, Aromatherapy, Diffuser blends, Cosmetics
• Aroma Type: Floral

Conclusion

Rose oil has a long standing history of adorning the skin of royalties to spiritual practices. It is one of the first flowers to be used as perfumes. With continuous global cultivation and diverse extraction methods, rose oil seems to have created confusion in the wholesale essential oil market. We hope our detailed guide on different types of rose oils could help navigating this complex and expensive industry. From soap makers to skincare makers and even perfumers, everyone needs a touch of rose oil in their creations. This is where we as Aromachology Oils come in. Our extensive range of rose oil and other wholesale essential oils serve as a one stop shop to buy aromatherapy products online.