Iris-scented soaps: the rainbow flower

Flower-scented soaps are extremely common. Their properties and olfactory notes come from a wide range of natural plants, like many of our products from our online shop, e.g. iris-scented soaps.

How is iris essential oil obtained?

Iris in Greek means rainbow. That’s enough to explain the particularity of this plant. Its flowers can be of various colours, including white, purple, yellow, orange, pink and blue. The word iris groups over 300 species commonly known as flags. However, only some varieties, such as Florentine iris and pale iris, are used in the cosmetic and perfume industries.

Iris essence is not obtained from the petals but from hand-picked iris rhizomes. These rhizomes are carefully dried to extract the precious iris molecules, which serve as the foundation for the distillation process that produces the perfume. This long and complex process makes this fragrance even more sophisticated. It takes 1000 kg of flowers to obtain 2 litres of iris essential oil.

Iris-scented soaps: fragrance, meaning, and properties

Iris scent is a chypre and floral fragrance similar to violet, with sweet, talcum-like notes. It smells like clean, fresh linen and spring, but it hints at woody and earthy scents, shifting it away from the floral universe. Although nuances of nobility and sensuality often make it a feminine essence, iris is a unisex fragrance.

Its long history is rich in meaning. In Greek mythology, Iris was a goddess, the messenger of the gods. That’s why this flower was considered an intermediary between earth and heaven. Iris was associated with positive values, such as hope (blue iris), honesty and wisdom (purple iris), but it was also the religious symbol of faith and purity (white iris).

Iris is renowned for its curative properties and soothing and moisturising effects. It absorbs water, delivering hydration to the skin’s deepest layers and providing a refreshing action that enhances brightness, softness, and radiance. Moreover, the iris regulates sebum in the dermis while maintaining the skin’s hydrolipidic balance, thus preventing oily or greasy skin.

Iris’ properties and perfume are found in various cosmetic products designed to ensure the wellness the skin deserves. Alchimia Soap’s artisanal creations include two iris-scented body-care products from the Alchimia Flowers range:

• Iris-scented liquid soap, delicate on the skin with plant-derived surfactants obtained from natural sources for ideal hydration;

• Iris-scented shower gel with grapefruit and aloe vera natural extracts.