Boost Your Skin’s Radiance with Rosehip Seed Oil

Make a Simple Facial Moisturizer or Use it Straight From the Bottle

I’m really excited to share this post which includes an easy DIY facial moisturizer and a few tips on how to use amazing rosehip seed oil straight up — in case you’re too busy for a DIY. Are you in?

Apparently, rosehip seed oil has been a thing with some A-listers for a few years now — who knew?! (I’m not a celebrity-watcher.) Turns out influencers like Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckwith (and others) have all hyped the glow from this oil on social media over the last five years.

And now that I’ve tried it, I get it! I was going to hold off writing this until I had more time to see how my skin responded to the rosehip seed oil moisturizer. But seriously — I didn’t want to withhold this from you any longer. It’s that good.

Even though I’ve been working with carrier oils to make natural soaps for several years, rosehip seed oil never appeared on my radar until a few weeks ago. At $7 to $10 an ounce, it’s too pricey to use in a wash-off product like soap — but it’s perfect for smaller more concentrated applications like the simple moisturizer we’re going to make today.

What’s In Rosehip Seed Oil?

There’s rosehip oil and rosehip seed oil — and honestly, I couldn’t find a definitive answer if one is superior to the other. I did learn, however, that rosehip oil comes from the entire hip of the rose plant (the hard bud that looks a little like a cherry tomato) and rosehip seed (which is our focus today) is expressed from the seeds.

Rosehip seed oil is loaded with fatty acids and rich in skin-loving ingredients like:

• Vitamins A + C
• Omega 3 and Omega 6 — important to healing skin
• Linoleic Acid (In part, helps to restore your skin’s barrier function.)
• Tretonin (A special type of Vitamin A that helps to repair damaged skin, treat scars, smooth wrinkles and improve signs of sun damage.)

The Skin Benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil

For starters, rosehip seed oil is a safe, gentle oil that absorbs quickly and is suitable for just about all skin types. It’s especially notable for its ability to repair and regenerate damaged skin. I talk a bit more about absorbency and skin types below.

I usually hold back a bit in making claims for an ingredient because it’s hard to find readily available science to back up all the claims. In this case, I’m sharing most of what I learned — because all my sources are in agreement.

Plus, I’ve already noticed some of these benefits myself after two weeks of using my DIY moisturizer. Here are six reasons why you’ll want to make rosehip seed oil part of your own skincare routine ASAP:

1. It hydrates. The fatty acids in rosehip seed oil help to keep cell walls strong so they don’t lose water. It’s excellent for hydrating dry, itchy skin.
2. It moisturizes. Rosehip seed oil penetrates your skin and locks in moisture. Essential fatty acids, like the ones found in RSO, are a key ingredient in many moisturizers.
3. It exfoliates and brightens skin. As mentioned, rosehip seed oil is rich in Vitamin A (retinol), which encourages skin cell turnover and Vitamin C, which helps with cell regeneration. The results? A boost in skin radiance.
4. It helps with collagen formation. Collagen is important for skin elasticity and firmness. Unfortunately, our bodies make less of it as we age. Vitamins A and C help with the production of collagen. There may also be a component of rosehip seed oil that prevents the breakdown of collagen.
5. It helps protect against sun damage. Rosehip seed oil contains antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E which have been shown to combat visible sun damage.
6. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation. Some of us deal with dark spots or patches on our skin — possibly from the sun or hormonal changes. Retinoids, which are a component of Vitamin A, are known for their ability to reduce hyperpigmentation. Rosehip seed oil also contains lycopene and beta carotene, which often appear in skin-lightening products. These results only occur after a long period of regular use.

Behind-the-Scenes: My Formulation Method

Today’s recipe was inspired by a formula on an herb supplier’s website. I eliminated some of the ingredients from the original recipe to simplify it and make it more affordable. I’ve noticed many suppliers load on ingredients in order to sell more raw products. We’re sticking with the essentials here and from what I can tell, we’re not missing a thing!

You don’t need a kitchen scale to make this recipe, since it’s not too finicky. I’m giving measurements by volume so you can use measuring spoons and cups.

Rosehip Seed Oil + Your Skin Type

Rosehip seed oil is gentle enough for all skin types. It really works its magic on dry, combination, mature or damaged skin, however. If you have oily, acne-prone skin — use it very sparingly to start and see how your skin responds. It’s supposed to help with acne scars.

My Early Results

After many years with oily skin, I now have combination skin with slight oiliness in the t-zone. Depending on climate conditions, my cheeks get dry, dull and sandpapery. After two weeks of using this DIY moisturizer (avoiding my t-zone), I can honestly say I’ve noticed my skin is smoother, less dry and has a little glow to it.

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Ingredients + Equipment You’ll Need

Refined Shea Butter — Shea butter is moisturizing and gentle on your skin. It’s also well-tolerated by most people — except perhaps those with nut allergies since it’s technically a tree nut. I prefer refined shea so there’s no distinctive shea (straw-like) scent, but you can certainly use unrefined if you wish.

Jojoba Oil — Jojoba is actually a wax ester, with properties very similar to our skin’s own sebum. This means it easily penetrates our skin layers to provide its signature nourishing and moisturizing effects.

Rosehip Seed Oil — Surprisingly, the star ingredient is only a small portion of our formula, but turns out it only takes a small amount to get all the good benefits. Be sure to look for an oil that is cold-pressed for this recipe, since heat-expressed oil can be less effective.

Raw Honey (optional) — I added a small amount because my skin loves it. Honey is known for its humectant and emollient properties — meaning it attracts and hold moisture in our skin. I think you could omit it without affecting the formula, but I can’t say for sure what the consistency would be.

Gather Your Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

• A heatproof jar or dish for the shea butter
• A pan to create a double boiler
• A small bowl to mix other ingredients
• A hand mixer
• Small tin or other container with cover to store the finished moisturizer

My rosehip seed moisturizer only requires three basic steps: You’ll need to melt the shea butter, mix in all the other ingredients; put everything in the refrigerator briefly and then whip it with a hand mixer.

This recipe makes a small amount — about six ounces. Feel free to double it if you want.

How to Use Rosehip Seed Oil Moisturizer

Even though this is primarily a facial moisturizer, you shouldn’t have a problem using it on any rough, dry skin — including heels, elbows and knees. As with all cosmetics, discontinue use if you develop a rash or show sensitivity to any of the ingredients.

• Use a very small amount (about dime size) on each side of your freshly-cleansed face, massaging it gently into your cheeks, neck, chin, forehead, etc. — avoiding your eyes.
• I found that if I use too much, my skin looks and feels greasy for about 10 minutes before the moisturizer fully absorbs. Since rosehip seed oil is a “dry” oil, I’m guessing this is due to the shea butter. If you notice greasiness, just cut back on the amount you’re using.

Important Note: This recipe doesn’t require a preservative, but be aware rosehip seed oil has a tendency to spoil more quickly than other oils. Be sure to store your moisturizer and any unused oil in the refrigerator. I bring it into the bathroom before showering and it’s the perfect consistency and temperature to apply by the time I get out of the shower.

How to Use Rosehip Seed Oil Straight from the Bottle

If you’re short on time or just want to see how your skin is going to respond before you whip up this moisturizer– you can go ahead and apply rosehip seed oil to clean skin directly from the bottle. It comes with a dropper and you only need two to three small drops for your face. Again, be sure to store any unused oil in the refrigerator and discard it if it starts to smell rancid.

Now it’s your turn! Let me know if you’ve used rosehip seed oil or if you plan to give this a try. Each person’s skin is different, so we won’t all respond the same to a product. Would love to hear about your results or if you have any questions.

I am not a licensed nutritionist, medical professional or cosmetics expert. The information provided on Honest + Simple is for general informational purposes only. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food + Drug Administration and are not intended to treat, prevent or cure any disease. Before making decisions about your health or other concerns, please consult a qualified professional and do not rely on this website for medical advice.