Sisley’s Black Rose

Story | Leslie Yip

The ingredient story is extremely unique as the Black Rose only blooms between May and June and must be plucked by hand once a year when the roses are open and most fragrant.

The garnet colour is so deep, it gives the illusion that it is black. The flower form is full and round, and when the petals catch the light, they seem like velvet. This is the Black Baccara rose, created by the House of Meilland, sixthgeneration rose breeders based in southeastern France.

This is also the black rose behind Sisley’s iconic skincare line.

Real black does not exist in roses because they lack the gene for it, but that doesn’t stop rose breeders from trying to create one. The exotic Black Baccara is obtained by increasing the dose of colour pigments in the petals. First presented to the public in the 2000s, it is one of the darkest roses in existence.

After studying the benefits of this exceptional rose, Sisley launched the Black Rose Cream Mask. Beyond its sensorial experience, users find an instant effect on the skin’s vitality, freshness and radiance, leading to its worldwide success.

“The Black Rose is rich in carotenoids, which are very good free-radical traps and help bring nutrition, emolliency and softness to the skin,” explains José Ginestar, Sisley’s scientific director. “Each rose is formed of 40 petals that are highly concentrated in active molecules. In order to preserve their full power, they are picked by hand, only between May and June, as they first bloom.”

The oily extract of the rose infuses deep down to deliver anti-free radical properties, while the aqueous extract works as a beauty elixir to smooth and soften the skin. In addition to the original Cream Mask, the collection has now expanded to include the Precious Face Oil, Skin Infusion Cream, Eye Contour Fluid and Beautifying Body Emulsion.