Roses have been grown for their scent and beauty for thousands of years, and one of the most celebrated is the damask rose. It's also in every step of the ZÉORA Ritual. You'll find it on the labels of our cleanser, our serum and our moisturizer.
Here's what the damask rose is, what published research says about it, and why it's part of our Clarus cleanser, Oktélia serum and Hydronéa moisturizer.
What the damask rose is
The damask rose (Rosa damascena) is a fragrant, pink-flowered rose in the Rosaceae family. Its name points to Damascus, and it has a long history across the Middle East. In Iran, where it is grown on a large scale around Kashan for rose water and rose oil, it is known as Gole Mohammadi. Rose water made from it has traditionally been part of weddings, prayer and everyday life (Boskabady et al., Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2011).
On an ingredient list you'll see it written as Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, the international (INCI) name for an extract made from the flowers.
What research says about the damask rose
Scientists have studied the damask rose's flowers, petals and oil for decades. Here's a fair summary of what's been published.
- A 2011 review of the research describes the damask rose as mainly known for its scent, and lists antioxidant activity among the properties reported for the plant in laboratory and animal studies (Boskabady et al., Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2011).
- A 2016 review covers the plant's traditional use and plant chemistry. It names citronellol and geraniol as the main components of damask rose oil and calls for larger preclinical and clinical studies (Mahboubi, Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2016).
- In 2026, researchers in Korea studied tiny vesicles taken from damask rose cells grown in a lab. In skin-related cell models, they saw increased collagen production in skin cells and reduced melanin production in pigment cells. This was lab work on cells, using a different rose material from the flower extract on our labels, and several authors work for the company that makes those vesicles (Cho et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026).
It's worth being honest about the limits. These papers reviewed the wider science or tested specific rose materials in the lab. None of them tested ZÉORA products, and lab results don't automatically carry over to a finished cream or serum on your skin.
Why the damask rose is in ZÉORA
ZÉORA began with a notebook from 1850, kept by a woman named Zéora on the Greek island of Samos. Her formulas were built around the plants of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and the damask rose belongs to that same world.
That's why Rosa Damascena Flower Extract runs through all three steps. It sits alongside the same group of botanicals in every formula: yarrow, sage, chamomile, lemon balm, green tea and marjoram. We chose it so the whole Ritual leaves skin looking luminous and feeling soft.
Where you'll find it
- Clarus, our gentle gel cleanser (100 ml).
- Oktélia, our lightweight serum (30 ml).
- Hydronéa, our replenishing cream (50 ml).
All three come together in The ZÉORA Ritual.
How to use the Ritual
- Cleanse. Massage 1–2 pumps of Clarus onto damp skin for a few seconds, rinse lightly and pat dry.
- Calm. Apply 3 drops of Oktélia, one on the forehead and one on each cheek, and spread until absorbed.
- Restore. Smooth Hydronéa evenly over clean skin to seal in hydration.
Use the routine morning and evening. Hydronéa does not contain SPF, so in the morning finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen you already tolerate.
If your skin is sensitive, introduce one new product at a time and patch-test first. The American Academy of Dermatology explains how to test a skincare product before using it on your face. Like any plant, roses aren't right for everyone, and some people react to them.
Keep reading
- Sage for Sensitive Skin: The Mediterranean Herb in Every ZÉORA Step
- Aloe Vera for Sensitive Skin: Why It's Ingredient #2 in ZÉORA
- Yarrow for Sensitive Skin
This article is general skincare information, not medical advice. ZÉORA products are cosmetics, not medicines. If you have a skin condition, or notice persistent redness, itching, swelling or a rash, please speak with a board-certified dermatologist before changing your routine.
