Musk-scented rose (Rosa moschata), commonly known as the musk rose, is a species of wild rose native to the Middle East and parts of Asia. This plant is distinguished by its musky-scented flowers and attractive appearance. Rosa moschata is often used in ornamental gardening and traditional herbal practices.

Botanical Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rosa
Species: Rosa moschata

Plant Characteristics:
Rosa moschata is characterized by:

Flowers: Medium to large-sized flowers, usually white or pale pink, with a distinctive musky fragrance. The flowers typically bloom in summer and can have a pleasant, lingering scent.
Foliage: Dark green, pinnate leaves with serrated edges. The leaves complement the flowers and contribute to the plant’s overall visual appeal.
Growth Habit: A vigorous, climbing shrub or small bush that can reach heights of 2 to 3 meters. It has a sprawling growth habit, making it suitable for covering trellises or arbors.
Soil and Light: Prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. It is adaptable to various soil types but thrives in a sunny location with good air circulation.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
The chemical composition of Rosa moschata includes:

Essential Oils: Contains aromatic compounds such as musk, citronellol, and geraniol, which contribute to its characteristic musky fragrance.
Flavonoids and Tannins: Found in the leaves and flowers, providing antioxidant and astringent properties.
Organic Acids: Present in the foliage and flowers, contributing to the plant's aromatic profile and potential health benefits.

Uses and Benefits:

Aesthetic: Highly valued for its beautiful, fragrant flowers and lush foliage, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardening.
Cosmetic: Extracts are used in perfumes, skincare products, and essential oils for their soothing and fragrant properties.
Medicinal: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for its potential soothing effects and as a mild digestive aid. Scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited.
Culinary: The rose hips can be used to make herbal teas and infusions, providing a mild, fruity flavor and a source of vitamin C.

Applications:

Gardening: Used as an ornamental climbing shrub or bush in gardens and landscapes for its attractive flowers and pleasant scent.
Cosmetics: Extracts incorporated into perfumes, creams, and lotions for their aromatic and soothing properties.
Medicinal: Utilized in traditional herbal remedies for its potential calming and digestive benefits.
Culinary: Rose hips used in teas and infusions for their flavor and vitamin C content.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Non-invasive and adaptable to various garden environments; supports garden biodiversity and local pollinators.
Safety: Generally safe to handle and use; individuals with allergies or sensitivities should exercise caution. Consulting a healthcare provider is advisable before using Rosa moschata for medicinal purposes.

INCI:


Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Surfactant - Foam booster. It has the effect of introducing gas bubbles into the water and affects the cleaning process by helping to spread the cleanser. Since sebum has an inhibiting effect on the bubble, more foam is produced in the second shampoo.
Synonyms:

CAS: