Rock Rose Beauty skincare
Although we don’t suffer ourselves, we have plenty of friends and colleagues who suffer from rosacea. So when Maggie Alderson tipped us the wink that this East Sussex-based range (created locally to Jo) had transformed her skin, we asked her to share her experiences. If you, too, are a sufferer, we hope you find it helpful.
Writes Maggie:
‘For the first time in 15 years I am now able to leave the house without a full face of make-up, which for so long was essential to cover the raw, red rosacea pimples which speckled my chin and cheeks.
And it’s not only the mortifying festering spots I’ve been freed from – all the skin on my face is smoother, plumper and more nourished looking. I don’t know when my skin last looked and felt this good. People have commented. Even my teenage daughter has complimented me (faints).
The products that have made the difference are by Rock Rose Beauty, a collective of three women who happen to live where I do, in the sunny seaside town of Hastings. (And I should say that while I know one of them from around town, this is not a friends’ project I’m bigging up.)
It started when co-founder Lindsay Wright had to undergo serious treatment for aggressive breast cancer, which was (hallelujah) successful, but left her skin ravaged, dry and blotchy.
On holiday in Portugal she came across a moisturiser containing oil from the plant rockrose – botanical name cistus, known to perfumistas as ladbandum, one of the key ingredients of Chypre perfumes.
The moisturiser transformed Lindsay’s skin back to plumpelicious health and she became fascinated by the properties of the oil, which has been used since ancient times to help heal wounds and skin lesions.
Teaming up with friends Raquel Le Bron and Vanessa MacNeilly, who are experienced in cosmetics and aromatherapy, they developed some balms to share with friends and family. The response to them was so positive – and the results visible to the naked eye – they created the range.
So far there are three moisturising balms, a watermelon-seed oil hot cloth cleanser, facial oils for men and women, a shaving oil and lip balms.
Morning and night I use a few drops of the Nourishing Oil, which contains jasmine and rose essential oils, followed by the Moisturising Balm for sensitive or normal skin. This combines lavender and sandalwood oils with the as the rock rose, to sooth, repair and hydrate. It works. Beautifully.
If you’re used to a cream or lotion moisturiser, the oily nature of a balm takes a little getting used to, but now I love it. Rubbing it in makes you give yourself a facial massage every time, which is good for your skin in itself – and I pop any excess onto my cuticles. A little goes a very long way and a pot of balm lasts me several weeks.
As well as the glorious results on my face, I’m a fan of this brand because it delivers on the two other preferences at the top of my beauty shopping list.
It’s 100% natural, free from parabens and water, using vitamin E as a preservative – and all the packaging is glass and you can return empties to Rock Rose for recycling. Send back four and they’ll repay you with a thank you present.
That’s a treat in store, but already Rock Rose has given me the greatest gift I could have hoped for – restored, nourished skin that I am proud to show to the world.
Rock Rose Beauty Nourishing Oil/£34 for 30ml – buy here
Rock Rose Beauty Moisturising Balm/£28 for 50ml – buy here