Has coconut oil finally met its match? Many beauty bloggers have been singing the praises of rosehip oil for its multiple skin benefits. Consider this your guide to the trend.
What Is Rosehip Oil?
To start with, rosehip oil is not rose essential oil. In fact, they’re actually quite different from one another. While the latter is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the plant’s bright red fruit and seeds.
Throughout history, rosehip oil has been revered for its ability to enhance skin and overall health. “Rosehip oil is packed with nutrients known to be nourishing for the skin, like antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C, and essential fatty acids—including gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA,” says clinical researcher and natural beauty expert Leigh Winters, M.S., an instructor at Columbia Business School’s Venture for All program. “When applied to the skin, these nutrients work wonders in giving you a healthy, radiant glow.”
Skin Benefits Of Rosehip Oil
Intrigued? Here’s more on how rosehip oil can do your body good.
1. Moisturizes
When applied topically, rosehip oil helps moisturize and soften skin, says Deirdre Hooper, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, co-founder of Audubon Dermatology and member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Rosehip oil’s concentration of essential fatty acids—a combination of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and GLA—takes the credit here.
2. Wards Off Fine Lines And Wrinkles
Because rosehip oil is chock full of antioxidants, it’s a dream for your skin. “Antioxidants help limit the skin’s production of free radicals caused by sun damage, and therefore have the ability to make us look younger,” says Mara Weinstein Velez, M.D., general and cosmetic dermatologist and member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society.
To reap its fountain-of-youth goodness, Winter recommends pressing a few drops of rosehip oil into your skin after cleansing, toning, and applying any serums. Then, follow up with a water-based moisturizer to seal it all in.
Related: 8 All-Natural Ingredients That Make Your Face Glow
3. Improves Skin Elasticity
By now you’ve probably heard that collagen protein is crucial for our skin’s elasticity. (And that our natural collagen production decreases as we age.)
One major way to support collagen production: Consume the nutrients our body uses to build it. “In order to make collagen, our bodies need certain nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C,” says Hooper. You’ll find them both in rosehip oil.
In theory, rosehip oil could help stimulate collagen production and promote supple skin.
4. Reduces Pigmentation & Supports Even Skin Tone
Have a hyper-pigmented or uneven complexion? Rosehip oil may help you even things out naturally. “The vitamin C and vitamin A carotenoids both boost cell rejuvenation and work wonders on smoothing the skin,” says Winters.
Rosehips For General Health
The same antioxidants in rosehip oil that help your skin stay glowy also have a powerful impact on your interior health when you consume rosehips. According to Josh Axe, D.N.M., C.N.S., D.C, author of the upcoming Keto Diet (Feb 2019) and member of The Vitamin Shoppe Wellness Council, the antioxidants in rosehips help reduce production of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, warding off oxidative stress in the body and promoting a strong immune system.
Having less oxidative stress means wide-reaching benefits for our health. For example, according to Axe, rosehips’ antioxidants may help ward off immune-related joint issues. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation recommends five grams of a standardized form of rosehips from Denmark (sold as Litozin and Hyben Vital) daily to support joint health and ease joint discomfort.
What’s more, according to the University of Maryland, rosehips are so antioxidant-rich that rosehip supplements may even be comparable to vitamin C supplements.
I you decide to try a supplement, start with five to 10 grams, recommends Jonathan Valdez, R.D.N., owner of Genki Nutrition and spokesperson for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Because of its vitamin C content, higher doses may interact with certain medications, so check in with your healthcare provider first.
Is Rosehip Oil Right For You?
If any of rosehip oil’s skin benefits appeal, it’s worth trying. “Rosehip oil is gentle, so I recommend it for people of all skin types—even people with eczema,” says Winters. Since rosehip oil isn’t made from rose petals, it’s practically aroma-less, making it a nice option for those sensitive to fragrance.
Shopping For Rosehip Oil
Once you decide to add rosehip oil to your routine, it’s key you find a quality product. “If you can, shop for a certified organic oil to ensure it comes from plant material that hasn’t been treated with pesticides or chemicals, which would greatly affect its quality,” says Winters. At the very least, the brand should clearly share where the rosehips were sourced and how the oil was extracted.
Then, take a look at the oil itself. A quality rosehips oil has a “clear, dark orange hue,” says Winters. “If the color is really light, the oil might be compromised.”
Applying Rosehip Oil
Once you get it home, store your oil in the refrigerator. This will help lengthen its shelf life and keep it from going rancid.
Since any product—even natural ones—can irritate sensitive skin, test rosehip oil on the inside of your forearm first. Unless any redness or itching pops up, you’re good to go. You may notice a faint, orange-y glow after first applying the oil, but the hue will fade after a few minutes, assures Winters.
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