rosehip oil best antiaging oil

If I could use only one skincare product for the rest of my life, I’d pick rosehip oil. Rosehip oil for skin is a multitasker: it moisturises skin, fights off wrinkles, treats acne and can even help you fade those dark spots away. It’s like a one stop shop for all your skincare needs. Plus, so many brands make it, it’ll never be discontinued (a girl must think of everything when choosing only one holy grail for life 🙂 ). Here are all the reasons why rosehip oil is one of the best things you can ever put on your skin:

What Is Rosehip Oil?

Rosehip oil, a.k.a. rosehip seed oil, is the oil extracted from the hip of roses (usually rosa canina or rosa rubiginosa). In case you’re wondering, the hip is the radish-like ball the rose leaves behind after it blossoms.

WARNING! Don’t confuse rosehip oil with rose oil. Rose oil is extracted from the petals of roses. They may both come from the same plant, but rose oil can be irritating!


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Rosehip Oil Benefits: What Does It Do For Skin?

Rosehip is a multi-talker that has plenty of benefits for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone. Yes, really. Here’s what science says:

1. Rosehip Oil Is Very Moisturising

“With high levels of essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 (linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid), rosehip seed oil can effectively soften skin and improve skin barrier function,” says cosmetic chemist, Marisa Plescia. 

Fatty acids are part of your skin’s natural protective barrier. They strengthen it and make skin soft and smooth again. In particular, rosehip oil is loaded with linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. While other oils only have 2-5% linoleic acid, rosehip oil has a whopping 64-87%!

This is great news for your skin because linoleic acid is super moisturising. Linoleic acid improves skin’s barrier function, meaning it helps trap water into the skin. All that moisture hydrates skin, making it softer and suppler.

A 2007 study shows that the combination of linoleic acid and vitamin C improves senile dryness and even slows down aging (more on that soon). FYI, rosehip oil contains vitamin C, too. 😉 The best part? Rosehip oil is very lightweight and absorbs quickly. That makes it oily skin friendly, too.

Related: The Best Facial Oils For Oily Skin

a'kin rosehip oil with vitamin C 02

2. Rosehip Oil Treats Acne

“Although seemingly counterintuitive as an oil and sometimes thought to be unsuitable for oily/breakout-prone skin, rosehip seed oil can be an ideal natural oil for blemished skin,’ adds Plescia. Here’s why.

Did you know that acne-prone people have less linoleic acid in their sebum than people without acne?  It’s obvious there’s a link. Rosehip oil helps you restore the balance and give your skin all the linoleic acid it needs. But let’s be clear. Rosehip oil can’t singlehandedly treat your acne.

Still, it’s a precious ally. Studies show that applying linoleic acid on your skin reduces the size of mini-comedones (mini pimples). This is different from other treatments like tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide that kill P.Acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. Used together, they’re a powerful combo that kicks acne in the butt.

Related: Is Tea Tree Oil An Effective Treatment For Acne?

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3. Rosehip Oil Slows Down Aging

You know what else rosehip oil contains? Vitamin A, the only ingredient proven to reduce wrinkles (not just their appearance). Vitamin A works in three ways:

  • It fights free radicals
  • It boosts collagen production
  • It speeds up cellular turnover (the skin’s natural exfoliating process)

Vitamin A isn’t the only antiaging thing in rosehip oil. It also has plenty of other antioxidants, including flavonoids, lycopene and Vitamin C. Ok, the Vitamin C content is low, but still this stuff is packed with antioxidant so it can help you keep your skin firm and wrinkle-free for longer.

The catch? Rosehip oil works better when ingested. A 2015 study shows that rosehip oil significantly improved crow’s-feet wrinkles, skin moisture, and elasticity after 8 weeks of treatment.

Related: 3 Reasons Why You Should Add Vitamin A To Your Skincare Routine

4. Rosehip Oil Fades Dark Spots

What do linoleic acid and Vitamin A have in common? They both fade dark spots. Vitamin A does it by helping skin exfoliate faster. As the darkest cells on the surface of the skin give way to the lighter, more even-toned cells underneath, skin returns to its natural colour. Linoleic acid, instead, fades away UV-induced hyperpigemntation. Or, put simply, sun spots.

Before you get too excited, there’s not too much Vitamin A in Rosehip oil. You may see some results overtime, but I still recommend you use a stronger treatment, like azelaic acid or alpha arbutin to fade away dark spots.

Related: The Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: Which Is The Best Treatment To Fade Away Dark Spots?

5. Rosehip Oil Soothes Inflammation

Rosehip oil is also a source of Vitamin E and anthocyanin — two ingredients that can soothe irritation and calm down inflamed and reddened skin. This makes it ideal for people with inflammatory skin conditions, like rosacea and eczema.

6. Rosehip Oil Helps Reduce Scars

Rosehip oil is impressive, isn’t it? And there’s still one more benefit we haven’t discussed yet. A 2015 study shows that using rosehip oil on patients post-surgery for 12 weeks improves the overall look of their scars.

What Are The Best Rosehip Oil Products?

There are a gazillion brands that sell rosehip oil. Here are my favourites to help you narrow down your shopping list:

  • FaceTheory Balancing Rosehip Oil O3 (£20.00): A bit more expensive than the other, but it includes a bit more. You get rosehip oil, rosehip extract and Vitamin E for a super moisturising anti-aging concoction. Available at FaceTheory.
  • Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil ($10.00): Just like what the name says. There’s nothing else bar rose hip seed oil here. It gets the job done without breaking the bank. Available at Ulta.
  • The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($10.90): Again, the name says it all. You get pure rosehip seed oil (and only that) at a price that doesn’t break the bank. What’s not to like? Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, The Ordinary and Ulta.

How To Use Rosehip Oil

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Oh, let me count the ways. Rosehip oil is a multitasker. You can use it:

  • As a moisturizer
  • After your moisturiser for an extra dose of moisture (for dry skin)
  • As a cleanser in the oil cleansing method

“Due to its moisturizing benefits you can opt to skip added moisturizer, especially in the summertime, but don’t skimp on applying sunscreen,” advises NYC dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “During colder months you can adjust this routine by adding a moisturizer after your rosehip oil.”

Related: What Is The Oil Cleansing Method?

Who Should Use It?

Anyone can use rosehip oil, no matter what skin type or skin concern you have.

How Often Can You Use It?

Rosehip oil is gentle on the skin, so you can use it up to twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

Rosehip Oil Side Effects

Rosehip oil is generally considered to be safe for all skin types. It has a teeny tiny amount of Vitamin A, so there’s a very small chance it could irritate your skin if it’s particularly sensitive. But, the main problem with rosehip oil is that it goes bad quickly. Try to go for products packaged in opaque bottles whenever you can and store them in a dry, cool place. It’ll help it last longer.

The Bottom Line

I’m sceptical of most natural ingredients but rosehip oil is the real deal. It’s an antiaging multitasker that moisturises skin, fights wrinkles and acne and fades away sun spots. Just remember to store it properly or it’ll become useless!