You can’t walk through a beauty store these days without seeing at least a dozen different types of oils. But you shouldn’t pass by the rosehip oil without paying extra attention.
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The first thing you should know: rosehip oil isn’t extracted from a mature rose. Instead, it “is extracted from the seeds of the wild rosehip fruit, which is a plant grown in Chile, but can also be found in other parts of the world,” says Melissa K. Levin, a dermatologist from New York (USA) in a US publication. “Originally, it was used by the Mayans and Native Americans for its healing properties.”
“It has a high proportion of linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic, and oleic acid, as well as tocopherol and carotenoids. This combination makes it useful as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to neutralize oxidative stress,” she explains.
So, yes, the benefits of rosehip oil are real. Here are some of them:
1 – Moisturizes the skin
“Many people who use rosehip oil regularly notice their skin is less dry. This makes sense due to the free fatty acids, including linoleic acid, found in this product,” says Suneel Chilukuri, founder doctor of Refresh Dermatology in Houston (USA). Howe adds that linoleic acid is an essential component of ceramides, the main moisturizing element of the skin.
2 – It’s anti-aging
The high level of vitamin C on its own gives rosehip oil a potent anti-aging effect. “The antioxidant activity of vitamin C protects and repairs UV damage and helps reduce wrinkles,” says Kenneth Howe, dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, based in New York (USA).
3 – Brightens the skin
The vitamin C in rosehip oil has been shown to “effectively reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten the skin,” explains Chilukuri.
4 – May promote healing
Try applying it to that scar that just won’t fade on your leg. Some preliminary research on skin cells in a lab shows that rosehip oil “effectively improved scars.”
The product helps stimulate “macrophages to change to a form that promotes good healing,” says Howe.
5 – It’s antibacterial
The phenols in rosehip oil have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. “Provided the oil isn’t irritating for patients with eczema-prone skin, this product can benefit them in both skin hydration and preventing infections commonly seen in eczema,” says Chilukuri.
6 – May help reduce skin pigmentation
The retinoids in rosehip oil, like trans-retinoic acid, help lighten pigment. “They also speed up cell maturation and turnover, resulting in an overall glowing effect,” says Howe.
7 – Fights acne
“The retinoids exert an effect similar to Retin-A, regulating cell turnover in such a way that it reduces follicular blockage and the formation of blackheads,” explains Howe. The anti-inflammatory effects of rosehip oil soothe redness and reduce cysts as well.
8 – May help with stretch marks
A recent study looked at a prevention cream that contained rosehip oil. Surprisingly, “the women who used it throughout pregnancy were less likely to develop stretch marks, and those who already had them didn’t worsen,” explains Howe.
