Rosehip Seed Oil: A Regenerative Gift from Nature

Botanical, medicinal & therapeutic background

Rosehips or rose haws, are the fruit produced by all types of rose of the Rosaceae family, this includes the common English dog rose, (Rosa Canina) which can be found growing in the wild amongst hedgerows and waysides in the countryside as well as in cities. The beautiful, rich-red rose hips start to appear in early September and are abundant in October and throughout the autumn months.

Rosehip seed oil (also known as rosehip oil) has a long history of use as a therapeutic remedy and beauty product, as it contains a wealth of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The oil contains an extremely high percentage of vitamin C, (I was brought up being given weekly doses of rosehip syrup as a child by my Finnish mother as a preventative winter remedy), and it’s amazing that rosehips contain more vitamin C than oranges and were valued as a vital nutritional resource during war time by the Ministry of Food who organized their widespread collection. As a child, I also loved to make the famous ‘itching powder’ which I would produce by splitting the rose hips in half, then carefully extracting the seeds covered in downy-fine hairs, then stuffing them down the backs of unsuspecting friends!

Rosehip seed oil has been recognized by all cultures alike for its outstanding healing properties for many centuries. It was used by the Native Americans and other ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Egyptians both for its nutritional qualities and as a skincare agent.

In recent years its popularity has grown since its qualities have become more widely known and accepted due to scientific verification of its versatile skincare applications.  Today it is an essential ingredient in many beauty formulations primarily to promote a glowing complexion by nourishing and hydrating the skin, as well as by helping to reduce the visible signs of aging.

The importance of cold-pressed extraction

The method of extraction for producing rosehip seed oil is a very important factor because it affects the number of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids in the resulting product. For the best quality oil, the extraction process should be of low heat and free of any chemical solvents, such as hexane.

A freshly processed cold-pressed rosehip seed oil is therefore the highest quality product, since this ensures it remains rich in vitamin A, C, E and F plus vital antioxidants and omega fatty acids. At Aqua Oleum we supply freshly pressed rosehip seed oil made from Rosa Moschata grown in the sun-drenched fields of southern France.

A natural vitamin boost

Vitamin A, also known as ‘retinol’, is one of the best vitamins for anti-aging, having antioxidant properties which helps slow down the development of wrinkles. It also enhances collagen production, improving firmness and suppleness of the skin. Rosehip seeds also contain beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid that can be converted into vitamin A, which is abundant in rosehip seed oil.

Vitamin E or ‘tocopherol’ is another of the most effective anti-aging vitamins, essential for regulating numerous body processes, including the immune system, inflammation and for maintaining skin health, especially valuable for dry, mature and sun-damaged conditions.

Antioxidants, like vitamin E and beta-carotene also play a role in strengthening your skin’s overall protective barrier.  Vitamin F which repairs cellular tissue and promotes healing to regenerate the skin and encourage hair growth, is also found plentifully in rosehip seed oil. It is this combination of outstanding nutritional benefits that makes rosehip seed oil a truly remarkable, regenerative ‘Gift from Nature.’

The bountiful benefits of rosehip oil for your skin

Perhaps the most highly prized benefit of rosehip seed oil is in helping to increase cellular turnover and regenerate skin tissue, keeping it more youthful looking and minimising the effect of fine lines and wrinkles. It also maintains the elasticity of the skin and because it encourages quick dermal turnover, rosehip oil acts as a natural exfoliant which helps bring back radiance to a dull complexion. When applied to your skin regularly, it helps reduce hyperpigmentation and improves the appearance of scars, sun damage and age spots. With a high level of antioxidants, the oil also aids in combatting the damage caused by free radicals on your skin, especially due to excessive sunbathing!

Hydration is also a vital factor here, especially for mature skin, and researchers have found that rosehip oil improves the skin’s moisture levels, resulting in softer-looking skin. With high levels of linoleic acid, the oil penetrates deep into the skin and helps form a water-resistant barrier, essentially locking in moisture. This can help provide relief from conditions like dry skin, dermatitis, eczema and rosacea where the skin barrier is disrupted, especially when you apply it immediately after a bath or shower.

In some cases, rosehip seed oil can also help control outbreaks of acne, although I generally do not recommend it for oily skin conditions. Because linoleic acid is lightweight and thus easily absorbed by the skin, some studies have shown that some acne-prone individuals, such as teenagers, have an abnormal deficiency of linoleic acid, and in these cases, rosehip seed oil can help heal acne-associated issues.

In terms of prevention, applying rosehip seed oil to your skin daily can also contribute to minimizing the impact of scars or discolouration. The oil naturally boosts collagen production, thus improving the skin’s cellular turnover rate, which can help prevent and/or repair scar tissue, for example, due to stretch marks.

It is good for eliminating or minimising scars due to acne or to other skin wounds or lesions, even-out skin tone and help prevent dark circles from developing under the eyes. Additionally, there is research that suggests rosehip seed oil can improve the texture and discoloration from post-surgical scars. Applied to the nails, hair and scalp rosehip seed oil acts as a wonderful preventive or revitalising treatment for conditions such as brittle nails, and a dry or itchy scalp.