8 benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil for your skin

What is rosehip oil?

Rosehip oil is also known as rosehip seed oil. It’s derived from the rosa canina rose bush, which is grown mostly in Chile.

Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is cold 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. Rosehip oil is often used skincare products as a carrier oil for essential oils which are too intense to put on your skin directly.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of rosehip seed oil on your skin, and how to add it to your skincare routine.

What is rosehip seed oil good for?

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 acid and linolenic acid. Fatty acids help to keep cell walls strong so that 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.

2. It moisturizes

Moisturizing helps lock in your skin’s natural hydration and any added oils.

A 2015 studyTrusted Source using rosehip powder suggests that rosehips offer several anti-aging properties, including the ability to keep skin moisturized. Researchers found that participants who took rosehip powder orally experienced noticeable improvements in the overall moisture of their skin.

You may also receive these benefits by applying rosehip oil topically. Rosehip oil is a dry, or nongreasy, oil. This makes it a great natural moisturizer for all skin types.

3. It helps exfoliate and helps brightens skin

Natural exfoliation with rosehip seed oil skin benefits can help reduce dullness and leave you with glowing, vibrant skin.

That’s because rosehip oil is high in vitamins A and C which are great free radical scavengers. Vitamin A, or retinol, encourages skin cell turnover. Vitamin C also aids in cell regeneration, boosting overall radiance.

4. It helps boost collagen formation

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 vitamins A and C, which are both necessary for the production of collagen. Rosehip has also been shownTrusted Source to inhibit the creation of MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks down collagen in the body.

Research supports these benefits, too. In one 2015 studyTrusted Source, researchers found that participants who 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

6. It helps protect against sun damage

Cumulative damage from a lifetime of exposure to the sun plays a major role in premature aging. UV exposure can also interfere with the body’s ability to produce collagen.

Rosehip oil contains antioxidants like vitamins A, C, 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 to your doctor or dermatologist about how you can safely use both in your skincare 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 significantly 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 haveTrusted Source skin-lightening properties, making them staple ingredients in many skin-lightening products.

Animal studies indicate that rosehip seed extract does contain melanin-reducing properties, and may warrant further study for its use on humans.

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 that the oil has long been used as a folk remedy for wound healing. It is also used for the reduction of acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and even stretch marks.

One 2015 studyTrusted Source on rosehip powder showed a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, also known as crow's feet. Participants in this study consumed the powder orally for eight weeks of treatment.

In a separate 2015 study, participants with post-surgical scars treated their incision site twice per day with topical rosehip oil. After 12 weeks of use, the group using rosehip oil experienced significant improvements in scar color and inflammation when compared to the placebo group.

The bottom line

Rosehip seed oil has a long history as a therapeutic remedy and beauty skin care product. It’s full of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that are all valued for their ability to nourish the skin.

Scientific studies show rosehip seed oil’s promising skin benefits. Thus, it becomes an intriguing option for anyone looking to reduce the visible signs of aging, clear up scarring, and improve their skincare routine. Rosehip seed oil is reasonably affordable and easy to use. It’s considered generally safe for all skin types especially sensitive skin and acne prone skin.

You can find this fantastic anti-aging ingredient in our Restorative Omega Body Oil