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Wait, aren’t rose oil and rosehip oil the same thing?!

They have almost the same name. They come from the same family. Yet one keeps wrinkles at bay while the other irritates your skin real bad. Ouch!

So what’s the difference between them and which one is the good twin? Let the rose oil vs rosehip oil showdown begin:

use rosehip oil

Rose Oil Vs Rosehip Oil: What Are They?

Here are the main differences:

ROSE OIL ROSEHIP OIL
It comes from the beautiful roses (Rosa
Damascena) we all love.
It comes from wild roses (Rosa Rubiginosa, Rosa
Moschata and Rosa Canina.
It’s extracted from the petals. It’s extracted from the rosehips,
the fruit of the rosehp plant.
It’s made with steam distillation (that’s why the
scent is so strong!)
It’s squeezed out of the fruits and seeds through
a cold-press method (that’s why it’s less concentrated).
It’s an essential oil, so it must be diluted before
application.
It’s a carrier oil (helps carry other oils into the skin).
It’s a pale yellow or green. It’s a light amber or slightly orange hue.
It’s a strong rose scent. It has a more subtle earth scent.
It contains many fragrant components but no
fatty acids.
It’s loaded with fatty acids.

Now you know where rose oil and rosehip oil come from, can you guess which one is the good twin and which one is the bad twin? Keep reading to see if you’re right. 😉

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Rose Oil VS Rosehip Oil: What Do They Do?

Rose Oil

  • Hydrating: like all oils, rose oil has hydrating and moisturizing properties that plump skin up and make it softer and smoother.
  • Soothing: its astringent properties are believed to soothe irritations and even reduce the symptoms of eczema.
  • Antiaging: rose oil contains its fair share of antioxidants to fight the free radicals that cause premature aging.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil has several skincare superpowers:

Related: Why Rosehip Oil Is My Go-To For Any Skin Woe

SHOP MY FAVE ROSEHIP OIL PRODUCTS

rosehip oil skincare benefits

Rose Oil VS Rosehip Oil: Are There Any Side Effects?

Here’s the thing no one tells you about plants: they’re not just one ingredient.

Nope. Just like human beings, a plant is a living organism made up of tens of thousands of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are good. They give plants their moisturising, soothing and antioxidant properties. Other chemicals are toxic. They’re the plant’s self-defence mechanism against predators.

In the case of rosehip oil, the good chemicals far outweigh the bad. It’s so gentle, it rarely causes irritations!

Rose oil is a completely different matter. Because of the extraction process, rose oil is loaded with citronellol, geraniol, linalool and other fragrant components that can cause allergies and irritations.

If you have sensitive skin, don’t go there.

Scratch that. If you have skin, don’t go there. Even if rose oil doesn’t give you a rash, fragrance can trigger inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin (where you can’t see it!).

Inflammation speeds up aging. Need I say more?

Related: How To Use Rosehip Oil

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Rose Oil Vs Rosehip Oil: Which One Is Better?

Rosehip oil wins hands down. It moisturises your skin, helps you fight acne and keeps your wrinkles at bay – without irritation. Rose oil has its perks too, but the strong fragrance is trouble for skin.

Do you prefer rose oil or rosehip oil? Share your thoughts in the comments below.