Rosehip Oil is proof that, sometimes, Mother Nature hands great skin to you on a plate. Beyond tackling blemishes and dryness, this highly regenerative oil can also help address several skin woes like fine lines, pigmentation, and redness. And these skin benefits have not gone unnoticed over the years. Used for centuries for its healing properties, Rosehip Oil's popularity has recently skyrocketed thanks to praise from royalty and celebrities like Kate Middleton and Gwyneth Paltrow, (who certainly have the glowing skin to prove it!)
But why is Rosehip Oil such an overachiever in the skincare realm? What makes it capable of doing, well, the things it does? Here’s what you need to know about Rosehip Oil – including what it is, its benefits for the skin, and how (along with when) you could use it in your skincare routine.
What is Rosehip Oil?
Rosehips are fruits that develop from the blossoms of the wild rose plant. You wouldn’t typically spot these berry-sized, reddish-orange, spherical fruits on a rose bush because they only become visible when roses die – and are left on the bush. So, Rosehip Oil refers to the natural oils that are derived from the fruit. And just in case you were wondering, no, Rosehip Oil doesn't smell like freshly cut roses. Still, you shouldn't be too disappointed. Its herbaceous and earthy smell still makes for a luxurious pampering session from Mother Nature herself.
Also, Rosehip Oil's scent will be of little importance to you once you realize just how many skin-beneficial compounds it's packing. How many, exactly? There are too many to count. But here's a tiny sampling of what the oil has to offer: Vitamin A, E, C, omega fatty acids 3, 6, 9, flavonoids, carotenoids, amongst others (1). All that in a tiny berry – impressive or what?
Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Skin
As such, incorporating Rosehip Oil into your skincare regimen could result in the following benefits.
#1: Staves off oxidative damage and calms inflammation
In today’s modern world, your skin is under constant attack: sun rays in the morning; car exhaust and smog in the afternoon; and blue light – from all those digital screens – in the evening.
This (nearly) 24/7 siege results in the production of free radicals, unstable molecules with a voracious appetite for electrons, stealing them from any nearby cells that will yield them. Over time, an excessive number of free radicals in the body causes a condition called oxidative stress. This manifests as premature signs of aging on the skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and hyperpigmentation (e.g., those pesky sunspots) (2).
Luckily, you’re not defenseless against free radicals. And the tool you have on hand? Antioxidants. You can think of antioxidants as noble, charitable compounds willing to donate electrons to free radicals without becoming the latter themselves. That means they nip free radicals’ destructive rampage on the skin right in the bud. So … where does Rosehip Oil come into play? Remember how Rosehip Oil contains Vitamin A, E, C, flavonoids, and carotenoids? These are all potent antioxidants.
Essentially, hinting at Rosehip Oil’s ability to brighten the skin – and help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And research proves that it’s more than capable. For instance: this 2017 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences gathered evidence suggesting that Rosehip Oil could reduce various skin aging signs associated with oxidative damage, including uneven skin tone and wrinkles (3).
The antioxidants found within Rosehip Oil aren’t simply great at staving off (and potentially) reversing oxidative damage, either. They also pack a punch in the anti-inflammatory arena – helping calm irritation and redness associated with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis (4).
#2: Promotes skin barrier function
Rich in essential fatty acids (e.g., linoleic acid and linolenic acid), Rosehip Oil could also improve the function of your stratum corneum, the outer protective layer of your skin. Why? Well, you could think of the outermost layer of your skin as a “brick wall”. The bricks refer to your skin cells, while the cement that’s holding everything in place is a mixture of sebum, ceramides, and fatty acids.
The fatty acids already present in your skin are essential for 3 reasons: they're antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and decrease trans-epidermal water loss (i.e., moisture loss from the skin). In short, they help form an antibacterial, water-resistant barrier that protects from infection and keeps the skin well-hydrated (5).
And now, back to Rosehip Oil – and its high amounts of essential fatty acids. Interestingly (and somewhat expectedly), there’s research to show that applying essential fatty acids to the skin could support its natural barrier functions (6, 7). In turn, boosting hydration – improving the look and feel of the skin.
#3: Encourages skin regeneration
Rosehip Oil helps reveal radiant, youthful-looking through 2 pathways. First, its Vitamin A content stimulates skin cell turnover – sloughing away dead skin cells, in turn, preventing clogged pores, reducing inflammation, fading fine lines, and fading hyperpigmentation (e.g., acne scars). In fact, as a testament to Rosehip Oil's dramatic skin restorative powers, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications found that the use of Rosehip Oil on patients post-surgery improved the overall look of their scars (8).
Vitamin A's potent revitalizing effects on the skin are boosted by the Vitamin C found in Rosehip Oil. As Vitamin C is an essential part of the collagen process, when you apply Rosehip topically to the face, it can aid your skin cell's collagen-producing fibroblasts, plus stabilize the collagen you already have (9). Meaning? With regular usage, Rosehip Oil could help reveal plumper, brighter-, and younger-looking skin.
Side Effects of Rosehip Oil
As Rosehip Oil is generally safe for all skin types, side effects are rare. Still, it’s always best to err on the side of caution when adding any new product into your skincare routine, especially since Rosehip Oil is an essential oil, which can be irritating for some.
Apply a small amount of the product (containing Rosehip Oil) to your inner arm to test for any allergic reaction. If you don’t observe any adverse reaction – including itchiness, redness, or discomfort in general – then you can apply it to your face.
How to Use Rosehip Oil for Skin
Although Rosehip Oil can most often be found in its pure form, it is also now formulated into all types of skincare products, from cleanser to toner, from serums to moisturizers. Rosehip Oil can be used up to twice a day, morning and evening.
Just a word of caution: because Rosehip Oil – in and of itself – contains Vitamin A, you should avoid using it in conjunction with retinol products. Otherwise, you could experience skin irritation, such as redness, dryness, and peeling. Additional skincare ingredients you shouldn’t pair with Rosehip Oil include AHAs (e.g., glycolic acid), BHAs (e.g., salicylic acid), and benzoyl peroxide (10).
Those "don'ts" aside, Rosehip Oil plays nice with plenty of other skincare actives, including Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Ferulic acid, Collagen, and other antioxidants like CoQ10.
Looking to experience the benefits of Rosehip Oil firsthand? Find out how you could incorporate Rosehip Oil into your skincare regimen with Terrakai products below:
- Cleanser: Remove your makeup and wash your face with a non-stripping cleanser, like our Antioxidant + Rosehip Milky Cleanser.
- Toner: Spritz on your toner of choice after cleansing. For a refreshing, hydrating skin boost, give our Reset + Refresh Kangaroo Paw Toning Mist a go.
- Serum: Massage a few drops of serum (e.g., our Hydrating Kangaroo Paw + CoQ10) into your face.
- Eye cream: Apply your eye cream before you slather on your choice of creams and oils. Psst: our Age Defying Lemon Aspen Botanical Eye Cream will give your delicate eye area round-the-clock care.
- Moisturizer: Use Kangaroo Paw + Vitamin C Moisturizer during the daytime, then pamper your skin with our Midnight Recovery Kangaroo Paw + Vitamin C Overnight Cream as you catch your beauty sleep. Both moisturizers contain Rosehip Oil.
- Sunscreen (daytime): Sunscreen acts as a shield against the outside world (so you don’t end up applying all those products on your face for nothing).
Rosehip Oil for Skin FAQ’s
What does Rosehip Oil do for the face?
The more appropriate question would be: “What doesn’t Rosehip Oil do for the face?” This multitasker tackles blemishes, dryness, dullness, pigmentation, redness, and fine lines. That’s nearly every skin problem you can think of.
Does Rosehip Oil have Vitamin C?
Yes, it does!
Rosehip Oil vs. Rosehip Seed Oil: what's the difference?
There’s no difference; Rosehip Oil is also known as Rosehip Seed Oil.
Terrakai Skin Products that Include Rosehip Oil
