Is Rose Oil Worth Buying? How to Get the Most from Every Drop

Yes, rose oil is worth buying if you love its aroma and plan to use it a drop or two at a time, because it takes more than 10,000 hand-picked rose blossoms to make a single 5 mL bottle, and that small bottle stretches across many moments of self-care.

The price makes more sense once you see how rose is made and how little you need. If you want the pure oil, start with doTERRA Rose Essential Oil. If you would rather have rose ready to apply, the pre-diluted Rose Touch Roll-on is a gentler place to begin.

Is rose oil worth it for you?

Rose is a special oil you use a drop or two at a time. Here’s how to choose the best place to start.

Why rose oil costs more than most essential oils

Rose oil is precious because roses hold very little oil. The numbers tell the story better than any marketing line.

It takes a field of flowers

doTERRA Rose comes from the Damask rose, Rosa damascena. More than 10,000 freshly picked blossoms go into one 5 mL bottle. Compare that with citrus oils, which are pressed from fruit peels that hold plenty of oil.

Every bloom is picked by hand

In Bulgaria's Valley of the Roses, harvesters start before dawn, when the petals hold the most aroma. Roses are still gathered one blossom at a time, much as they were centuries ago. Read the full story of that harvest in In the Valley of the Roses.

Distilling has to happen the same day

Rose petals are so delicate that they must be distilled on the day they are picked. That tight window adds labor and care to every batch.

Put together, a short harvest season, hand-picking and same-day distilling explain why rose sits at the top of the price list. For a wider look at what drives oil prices, see why some essential oils cost more than others.

How far one bottle of rose actually goes

The sticker price feels big. The cost per use feels much smaller once you remember how little rose you need.

• Typical amount: doTERRA's directions call for one to two drops for topical use, and three to four drops in a diffuser.
• Drops per bottle: a common rule of thumb is about 20 drops per mL, so a 5 mL bottle holds roughly 100 drops. Drop size varies, so treat this as an estimate.
• Uses per bottle: at one to two drops at a time, that is about 50 to 100 moments of rose.

Rose also has a strong, layered aroma. Many people find that a single drop blended into a carrier oil or lotion is plenty to enjoy all morning.

Compare the rose options before you buy

You do not have to start with the pure 5 mL bottle. Here is how the three rose products on our site compare.

Rose formats side by side (prices shown on our site when this guide was written)

Product	What it is	How people use it	Price
Rose Essential Oil, 5 mL	Pure rose essential oil	Diffusing, or diluted in a moisturizer or carrier oil	$332.18
Rose Touch Roll-on, 10 mL	Rose oil pre-diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil	Rolled onto pulse points, neck, and wrists as a personal fragrance	$92.67
Rose Hand Lotion, 100 mL	Silky hand lotion made with rose oil	Smoothed on through the day for soft, lightly scented hands	$28.00

Prices can change, so check each product page for the current price.

Choose pure Rose if you want flexibility

The 5 mL bottle gives you control. You can diffuse it, blend your own roller, or add a single drop to a favorite face cream. It is the best choice if you already know you love rose.

Choose Rose Touch if you want easy, everyday rose

Rose Touch is ready to go, with no measuring or mixing. It fits in a purse, and the roller ball makes it simple to apply a little at a time.

Choose Rose Hand Lotion if you want a small luxury

The lotion is the most affordable way to enjoy rose every day. It is also a lovely gift that anyone can use right away.

Five ways to get your money's worth from rose

A little planning makes every drop count.

1. Make it part of your skin routine

doTERRA suggests combining one to two drops of Rose with your moisturizer and applying it to your face, neck, and décolletage. This is one of the most popular ways to use it, and it uses very little oil. Our guide to keeping skin beautifully hydrated has more routine ideas.

2. Blend your own rose roller

Add a few drops of Rose to an empty roller bottle and top it off with Fractionated Coconut Oil. One bottle of Rose can make several rollers this way. Learn the basics in how to mix essential oils with carrier oils.

3. Wear it as a personal fragrance

Roll Rose Touch onto your wrists and neck in the morning. The sweet floral aroma lingers, and many people say it makes them feel cared for through the day.

4. Diffuse it for special moments

Save rose for a slow morning, a bath, or a quiet evening. Three to four drops in a diffuser fill a room with a romantic floral aroma. A small diffuser like the Pebble Diffuser or the Laluz Diffuser works nicely for this. For more ideas, read tips for diffusing essential oils in the home.

5. Pair it with other florals

Blending one drop of Rose with a more affordable floral, such as Geranium, stretches your bottle while keeping a soft rose character in the blend.

How to tell if a rose oil is the real thing

Because rose is so valuable, labels deserve a close look. A few quick checks help.

• Read the botanical name. Look for Rosa damascena or another named rose species.
• Check whether it is diluted. A pre-diluted roller is a great product, but it should say so on the label.
• Watch for "rose fragrance." A fragrance oil is a scent product, not the same thing as rose essential oil.
• Be wary of a tiny price. Given the 10,000-blossom math, a very cheap "pure rose" deserves questions.

New to oils in general? Start with what essential oils are before you compare labels.

Rose oil as a gift

Rose is one of the most thoughtful oils to give. It feels special, it has a story behind it, and it suits birthdays, Mother's Day, anniversaries, and thank-you gifts.

• For a first-timer: Rose Hand Lotion or Rose Touch.
• For an oil lover: the 5 mL bottle of pure Rose.
• For a pampering set: Rose Touch paired with Rose Hand Lotion.

The bottom line

Rose oil is worth buying when you treat it like the precious oil it is. Its price reflects thousands of hand-picked blossoms and same-day distilling, and a single drop is usually all you need. If you want full flexibility, choose the pure 5 mL bottle. If you want an easy introduction, start with Rose Touch or Rose Hand Lotion and enjoy rose in your day right away.

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