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"Standing in the Turkish rose fields at dawn, I ask Lev Glazman, co-founder of Fresh, why I awoke with the roosters in the name of research. Apparently, the Damascus rose blooms only 40 days a year and must be picked before 10 a.m., when the oil yield is at its peak. The air smells unreal. These flowers are known for their lush scent. Once picked, their petals are distilled and their extracts blended into some of the world&amp;#039;s most intoxicating fragrances and skin care (among them, Fresh&amp;#039;s classic and top-selling Rose Face Mask). Thanks to its climate, 40 percent of the world&amp;#039;s roses grow in Turkey (it&amp;#039;s tied with Bulgaria as top producer), making it a magnet for brands sourcing raw materials. While some skip the trip and sub in synthetics, &amp;quot;the benefits just aren&amp;#039;t there,&amp;quot; Glazman says. Here&amp;#039;s what he means. 1. Rose oil is like vitamin water for skin. Real roses cater to a basic need for gorgeous skin: hydration. &amp;quot;That&amp;#039;s key since skin loses moisture with age \u2014 as early as your 20s,&amp;quot; says Glazman. From rosewater (the most inexpensive by-product, often used in facial mists) to pure essential oil (the priciest and most labor-intensive to obtain), rose extracts have moisturizing, healing, anti-inflammatory molecules that leave skin and lips sexy and plump. 2. It&amp;#039;s natural yet techy. While the ingredient is amazing on its own, brands are taking nature to the next level. Fresh&amp;#039;s new Rose Eye Gel Cream has a sophisticated delivery system that hydrates for up to 30 hours, while By Terry Cellularose Baume D&amp;#039;Eau and Lanc\u00F4me Absolue L&amp;#039;Extrait Ultimate Beautifying Lotion ($140, lancome.com) employ James Bond-ish technology to extract brightening and firming cells from roses. 3. It has mood-lifting power. Long known as an aphrodisiac, rosewater desserts (like the Turkish Delight, above) were eaten by women hoping to seduce the sultan in 16th-century Istanbul. But &amp;quot;rose oil has also been shown to boost energy, even alleviate symptoms of depression or anxiety,&amp;quot; says certified aromatherapist Barbara Close, founder of Naturopathica. Not a rose girl? These three fresh scents will change your mind.  1. A.M.-After Rose: The carnal blend of musk and amber in YSL Paris Rebel Collector ($100, yslbeautyus.com) brings out rose&amp;#039;s naughty side. 2. Hippie Chic: Patchouli, musk, cannabis (in Fresh Cannabis Rose, $88, fresh.com): It&amp;#039;s all very rock-star&amp;#039;s-girlfriend. 3. Viva La Vacay! Clary sage and geranium in Dolce &amp;amp;amp; Gabbana Velvet Rose ($210, saks.com, here) are like Italy in a bottle. Lanc\u00F4me L&amp;#039;Absolu Rouge in No. 349, 160, and 246, $30 each, lancome.com; Fresh Rose Face Mask, $58, Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream, $40, fresh.com; By Terry Cellularose Baume D&amp;#039;Eau, $99, spacenk.com This article was originally published as &amp;quot;Why We Still Love the Rose&amp;quot; in the September 2014 issue of Cosmopolitan. Click here to subscribe to the digital edition! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a29881/rose-beauty-benefits/>