Rosehip oil in skincare – The Complete Guide

Rosehip oil is an organic skincare oil derived from the flower species Rosa Canina.

• Antioxidant: Rosehip oil is an antioxidant as it contains flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, phenolic acid, carotenoids, and tocopherols (vitamin E).

• Antibacterial and Anti–inflammatory properties: High levels of linoleic acid are found in rosehip oil which can reduce irritated skin especially if you have acne. It is also anti-bacterial meaning that it may help with fungal acne.

• Absorb UV rays: The amount of UV absorption is too low for a reliable SPF. It’s better to use a normal sunscreen than using oil.

• Reduce cellular damage.

• It helps with pigmentation and brightens skin.

• Helps with stretch marks and acne scars to some extent.

• It contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic, and stearic acid.

Rosehip oil is safe for all skin types, including skin of colour, but do make sure to do a patch test before using it.

It’s mainly used for acne-prone skin and dehydrated skin because of its anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. It is also used for sensitive skin which helps to calm rosacea and eczema.

Unrefined rosehip oil is cold-pressed and natural. This is because it contains linoleic acid and all the essential vitamins. Refined rosehip oil can remove can all the chemicals and the essential vitamins making it ineffective.

• Buy a rosehip oil that comes in a dark bottle.
• Make sure to keep the oil out of sunlight.
• Store the rosehip oil in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
• Make sure to tighten the cap securely after use.

You can trial one oil at a time. Wait for 1-2 months for results to show. Make sure to go slow and not use too much.

You can use your rosehip oil at night because when using rosehip oil in the morning, it can retain heat and cause inflammation. It can also dilute in with the sunscreen.

Use a moisturizer and allow it to absorb into your skin, then you can use your rosehip oil.

Rosehip is not fully an essential oil, as it is extracted by cold pressing. It is a carrier oil that can be used by itself and can also be used to dilute essential oils and carry them to the skin, it is because essential oils are potent.

1. Aroma: a good rosehip oil should smell earthy, if it starts smelling sour it means it has expired.
2. Colour: rosehip oil should be having a vibrant orange color. If it has another color then it has become rancid.
3. Polyunsaturated fats: rosehip oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats and can oxidize quickly.

Rosehip oil and Retinol can be a good combination, but they can also cause a lot of problems, mainly because retinol is a powerful antioxidant, and using it even a little bit can cause irritation and itching especially if you have sensitive skin or dehydrated skin.

Rosehip oil can also be irritating but it is rare, if in doubt conduct a patch test. Pure rosehip oil does not react with other skincare actives.

Make sure to use retinol and rosehip oil at night.

1. Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
2. You can use toner if you want.
3. You can use the sandwich method to apply retinol to reduce the effects of irritation and retinization.
4. Apply a layer of moisturizer followed by retinol, then apply another layer of moisturizer. This is called the sandwich method.
5. Wait 30 mins for the moisturizer to absorb into your skin and then apply your rosehip oil.

Note: If you can’t tolerate retinol, another way is substituting retinol with niacinamide, which is another skincare active that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties making it suitable for sensitive skin.

Yes, you can use these actives and hydroxy acids together with rosehip oil if you have normal skin. People with sensitive skin will have to stick with vitamin C derivatives and PHA’s.

1. Use a gentle cleanser.
2. Use a toner of choice. (optional)
3. Use an AHA/BHA/PHA
4. Apply your Vitamin C or other derivatives of Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 3-0 Ethyl Ascorbate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) which are very stable and non-irritating for sensitive skin.
5. Moisturize, wait for 30 mins then apply rosehip oil.
6. The last step is to apply your sunscreen.

1. Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
2. Toner is optional.
3. Use a gentle AHA or BHA like lactic acid (AHA) or salicylic acid (BHA) which is more gentle on the skin. If you can’t tolerate an AHA/BHA, then it’s better to opt for a PHA.
4. Apply your Vitamin C or other derivatives of Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 3-0 Ethyl Ascorbate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) which are very stable and non-irritating for sensitive skin.
5. Vitamin C can also be used a night for collagen production and pigmentation.
6. Moisturize, wait for 30 mins then apply rosehip oil.

Facial oils are better used at night as the last step. When used in the morning they can retain heat in the skin and cause inflammation (for most people it can become a problem). They can also dilute in with the sunscreen.

Another problem is they can also be very heavy on the skin.

You can mix rosehip oil with other carrier oils like:

• Jojoba oil
• Argon oil.

You can mix rosehip oil with other essential oils which are:

• lavender.
• Frankincense.
• Sandalwood.
• Note: These oils are non-irritating and safe for sensitive skin but make sure to conduct a patch test to avoid irritation and redness.

Rosehip oil is perfectly safe to use as it can help with stretch marks and it can also be combined with Vitamin E to reduce stretch marks. However, this won’t fully reduce stretch marks.

Yes, rosehip oil is the best oil to use for perioral dermatitis because of its moisturizing, anti-bacterial, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you have acne-prone skin, you can use a salicylic acid face wash. It is more gentle on the face. Then apply your moisturizer and rosehip oil followed by sunscreen.

No, rosehip oil does not cause purging because it does not promote cell turnover. The reason why you might be purging is because of another ingredient that is present along with rosehip oil that can promote cell turnover.

1. If breakouts occur after the introduction of a new product with a specific ingredient that increases the cellular turnover rate. (retinol, vitamin C, AHA/BHA, salicylic acid)
2. If it occurs only on the specific acne-prone area of your face.
3. If it only lasts for a maximum of 4-6 weeks.

Rosehip is an emollient because it helps to smooth and soften the skin by filling in the gaps. It cannot be occlusive because it doesn’t help to seal in that moisture and prevent water loss. Occlusive oils tend to be very heavy and can clog pores.

Yes, rosehip oil can be used with mandelic acid. Mandelic acid is the best acid you can use if you have sensitive skin and combining it with rosehip oil will not only moisturize your face but also reduce irritation.

You can use mandelic acid at night, along with a moisturizer, and then apply rosehip oil.

Yes, it is safe to use rosehip oil along with tretinoin. Tretinoin can be used at night and then apply a moisturizer and finish it off with rosehip oil.

Yes, it is safe to use rosehip oil with differin because rosehip oil has really good moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to reduce the irritating and purging effects of differin.

Night routine:

• Start with a gentle cleanser.
• Then apply differin.
• Use a moisturizer, and then finish it off with rosehip oil.

Yes, it is safe to use rosehip with epidou because of its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Epidou contains adapalene and benzoyl peroxide which can cause purging and using a face oil like rosehip oil can significantly reduce it and gives a smooth feel to the skin.

Night routine:

• Start with a gentle cleanser.
• Then apply epidou.
• Use a moisturizer, and then finish it off with rosehip oil.

Yes, you can use rosehip oil with tranexamic acid with rosehip oil, and is completely safe. You can use rosehip oil at night and tranexamic acid in the morning.

Yes, you can use rosehip oil with niacinamide and is completely safe. You can use niacinamide in the morning and at night followed by a moisturizer and then apply rosehip oil.

Yes, you can use rosehip oil with benzoyl peroxide, and is completely safe. You can use rosehip oil in the morning and benzoyl peroxide at night or use them both at the same time if it does not irritate your skin.