ROSE HIP OIL
What is rosehip oil?
Rosehip oil is also known as rosehip seed oil. It’s derived from the rosa canina rose bush.
Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant.
Prized since ancient times for its valuable healing benefits, rosehip oil is loaded with skin nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids. It also contains phenols that have been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Keep reading to learn more about how rosehip oil can benefit your skin, and how to add it to your skin care routine.
1. It hydrates
Hydration is essential for soft, supple skin. Lack of hydration can be a problem during extreme weather or as skin ages.
Rosehip oil contains a wealth of essential fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acid. Fatty acids help keep cell walls strong so they don’t lose water.
The many fatty acids in rosehip oil make it an excellent option for hydrating dry, itchy skin. The skin also easily absorbs the oil, allowing its antioxidants to travel deep into the skin’s layers.
Moisturizing helps lock in your skin’s natural hydration and any added oils
Rosehip oil is a dry, or non greasy, oil. This makes it a great natural moisturizer for all skin types.
3. It helps exfoliate and brighten skin
Natural exfoliation with rosehip oil can help reduce dullness and leave you with glowing, vibrant skin.
The vitamin A, or retinol, in rosehip oil encourages skin cell turnover.
Collagen is the building block of skin. It’s essential for skin elasticity and firmness. Your body naturally makes less collagen as you age.
Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A which is necessary for the production of collagen. Rosehip has also been shown to inhibit the creation of MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks down collagen in the body.
Researchers found that participants who also took rosehip powder orally experienced a noticeable increase in skin elasticity.
5. It helps reduce inflammation
Rosehip is rich in both polyphenols and anthocyanin, which may help reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
With this in mind, rosehip oil may help calm irritation resulting from:
- rosacea
- psoriasis
- eczema
- dermatitis
Cumulative damage from a lifetime of exposure to the sun plays a major role in premature aging. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure can also interfere with the body’s ability to produce collagen.
Rosehip oil contains antioxidants like vitamins A and E. These vitamins have been shown to synergistically combat visible sun damage. They may also help prevent photoaging.
With this in mind, rosehip oil may be used to help reduce the negative effects of UV exposure. But it shouldn’t be used in place of sunscreen.
Talk with your doctor or dermatologist about how you can safely use both in your skin care routine.
7. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin forms dark spots or patches on the skin. This can result from a number of factors, including:
- sun exposure
- hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or menopause
- certain medications, including birth control pills and chemotherapy drugs
Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A is made up of several nutritional compounds, including retinoids. Retinoids are known for their ability to reduce hyperpigmentation and other visible signs of aging with regular use.
Rosehip oil also contains both lycopene and beta carotene. These ingredients are said to have skin-lightening properties, making them staple ingredients in many skin-lightening products.
8. It helps reduce scars and fine lines
Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which are integral for tissue and cell regeneration in the skin. It’s no wonder the oil has long been used as a remedy for wound healing, as well as the reduction of scars and fine lines.
