Rosehip Skin Serum

How rosehip oil benefits your skin
Reduces wrinkles and firms the skin

Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A (street name: retinol), which can help reduce signs of skin aging, including smoothing fine lines and thickening the dermis (deeper skin layers), making the skin feel firmer and tighter, says board-certified plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, MD, anti-aging expert and author of The Age Fix.


Brightens skin

Rosehip oil also contains vitamin C, a collagen-stimulating nutrient that can help improve skin’s firmness and prevent fine lines. Vitamin C is also known to have a skin-brightening effect, which gives your complexion a radiant appearance. (Check out our favorite vitamin C serums here.)



Protects the skin from damage

The antioxidants that rosehip oil contains, such as tocopherols and carotenoids, help to protect the skin from oxidative stress, according to a 2018 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. They ban together to neutralize free radicals (a type of molecule that damages your cells) by donating an electron to each of them, says Dr. Youn, ultimately canceling out their skin-damaging agenda.


Soothes redness and irritation

Rosehip oil contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid, and oleic acid, says Dr. Youn. Because skin conditions like rosacea and atopic dermatitis (aka, eczema) are inflammatory disorders, rosehip oil may help to reduce the subsequent inflammation and redness, resulting in a decrease in symptoms.

Plus, rosehip oil is particularly high in beta-carotene—an antioxidant from the carotenoid family that promotes normal growth and renewal of skin cells, says Debra Jaliman, MD, New York-based board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules.


Calms acne

While oil sounds like the last thing you want to apply to oily, acne-prone skin, the anti-inflammatory powers of rosehip oil may also calm the redness and irritation associated with breakouts. What’s more, retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are commonly prescribed as prescription acne treatments, since vitamin A helps to speed skin cell turnover. Bonus: “Most people find that rosehip oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores,” adds Dr. Youn.


Moisturizes skin

Fatty acids also act as excellent moisturizers for the skin, says Dr. Youn. They offer up a one-two punch of hydration by soaking into the skin to hydrate and soothe, while also playing a role in ceramide formation—a substance that keeps the walls of skin cells strong so they can better retain moisture.


Fades dark spots and scars

Besides smoothing and firming, vitamin A may mildly even out your skin tone, especially if you have acne scars. After several months of applying rosehip oil, you may find that your dark spots aren’t so dark, says Dr. Youn. Research suggests that this multi-talented oil may also improve the texture and appearance of scars—perhaps because of the role that fatty acids play in how skin cells rebuild post-injury, say researchers.


Prevents stretch marks

There are tons of creams on the market that pregnant women use to reduce and prevent stretch marks on their bellies. Consider adding rosehip oil to the mix: One 2012 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that women who used an anti-stretch mark cream containing rosehip oil during pregnancy were less likely to experience stretch marks—and those who already had them found that they didn’t progress further or become more severe.