There's something about roses that brings to mind happiness, beauty, and romance for just about every person on the planet. After all, what other flower has inspired phrases such as "wearing rose-colored glasses" and "everything's coming up roses?" And we've all heard unpleasant situations referred to as being "no bed of roses." With all of the positive imagery this single flower conjures, it's no surprise that roses have long been used in spas to create a romantic, relaxing, and beautiful atmosphere. What many spa-goers (and perhaps some spa employees) may not be familiar with, though, are the rose's many skin-improving and mood-boosting benefits.

Roses aren't just beautiful to behold. They also help bring out the skin's natural beauty. The flower's petals can be distilled to extract rose oil (as well as rose water, which is a byproduct of steam distillation) in a process that was most likely developed in 10th-century Persia. Even today, most rose oils are still produced in that same region of the world. To extract one ounce of pure rose oil, it takes several pounds of rose petals, making it one of the most expensive botanical oils around. Luckily, only a small amount is needed to have a therapeutic effect on the skin. One of those skin benefits is due to rose oil's astringent qualities—it shrinks and constricts the blood vessels below the surface of the skin. Rose oil is a great addition to treatments and in products aimed at reducing redness, such as the Calming Rose Facial ($110, 50 minutes) at the Spa Le Merigot (Santa Monica, CA). The service, which is suited for skin that's easily irritated and prone to redness, features an ampoule loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients and rose oil.

The rejuvenating Flower Facial ($175, 60 minutes) at Chanrecaille Energy Spa at Barney's New York incorporates essential oils and floral waters from roses and other botanicals.

Rose essential oils are also praised for their moisturizing properties. At The Spa at the Inn at Bay Harbor (Bay Harbor, MI), guests are first scrubbed with a blend of olive pits and rose oil and then slathered with a rich rose cream before being cocooned during the Rose Petal Wrap ($140, 50 minutes). "The hydrating nature of roses really improves skin texture and is very nourishing for stressed and aging skin," says spa director Camryn Pollard, who recommends the service to anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun and to new mothers.

Skin-perfecting oil can also be extracted from rosehips, the fruit of the rose plant, which looks like a red berry. Rosehip oil is rich in free radical-fighting vitamin C. Some evidence suggests it is among the richest sources of the vitamin found in any plant, making it an excellent complement in antioxidant treatments. At Lakehouse Spa at Lake Austin Spa Resort (Austin, TX), the Vital Nutrient Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Peel ($150, 50 minutes) is enhanced by rosehip oil from organically grown roses. "We added this treatment to the menu so that we could stay on the cutting edge and because we know the products really work for the client," says spa director Lynne Vertrees. Rosehip oil is also an excellent anti-aging ingredient, as it contains trans-retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative that's been proven to help regenerate skin cells, reduce hyperpigmentation and the appearance of wrinkles, and aid in the healing of scars and wounds. Treatments for photo-aged skin can always benefit from a boost of vitamin A, and rosehip is a great source for guests who prefer a natural approach.