If you're on a quest for skincare that delivers remarkable results, we’ve got an ingredient for you: rosehip oil.  From brightening and firming to nourishing and protecting, let's explore this natural powerhouse and why it's a must-have for your skincare routine - even if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have sensitivities.

There are different varieties and types of rosehip oil on the market. We are here to specifically highlight a special type of cold-pressed, organic rosehip oil from the Rosa Rubiginosa species. Syll Botanics uses it as a key ingredient in our multi-tasking facial and under eye serum. We were beyond excited when we discovered this particularly effective, sustainably grown source of rosehip.

Overall, all forms of rosehip oil are incredibly versatile and suitable for all skin types. Its lightweight texture absorbs easily without clogging pores to serve oily and acne-prone skin, while its calming properties help with redness and irritation for sensitive skin types. For people with drier skin, rosehip's nourishes and helps maintain overall skin health. Let’s get into it further!

Rosehip Oil: A Natural Free Radical Fighter

First, we love rosehip oil because it is renowned for its exceptional antioxidant properties. Unfiltered rosehip oil has a high content of bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, tocopherols (vitamin E), and polyphenols. Rosa Rubiginosa (especially the cold-pressed type) also contains a specific type of vitamin A called trans-retinoic acid, which is known for its regenerative and antioxidant effects on the skin. Notably the more common species, Rosa Canina, has not been shown to contain this form of Vitamin A.

These compounds work synergistically to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging. Free radicals can also contribute to inflammation and exacerbate acne, so the antioxidant properties of rosehip can be particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin. The powerful combination of antioxidants helps protect the skin from environmental stressors, such as UV radiation and pollution, while promoting a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Rosehip’s Brightening Power

Rosehip oil is prized for its ability to brighten and even out skin tone, thanks to its rich composition of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It is touted as a gentle, natural alternative to retinol due to the high content of bioactive Vitamin A compounds (beta-carotene + trans-retinoic acid), which promote skin cell turnover and improve texture. This also helps fade acne scars, dark spots and discoloration.

This means it rosehip oil a particularly helpful ingredient during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, when melasma is common but topical synthetic retinoids are typically not recommended. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of rosehip oil help to calm redness and irritation, which can contribute to a more even complexion. Overall, regular use of rosehip oil can result in brighter, more even-toned skin.

Renewing Benefits of Rosehip Oil

Collagen is a protein that helps maintain the skin's structure and elasticity, making it key to firm, youthful-looking skin. Rosehip seed oil has some remarkable properties that can help boost collagen production. This oil is also rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3), which are crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier function and overall health. As previously mentioned, the Rosa Rubiginosa species also contains natural Vitamin A as beta--carotene and trans-retinoic acid, which can increase collagen in the skin. Regular use of rosehip oil is thus a promising, safe tool to help improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines. 

How Rosehip Oil Can Calm and Clear Your Complexion

Rosehip oil is a beneficial addition to skincare routines for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate sebum production. Its non-comedogenic properties won't clog pores, a common issue that can lead to breakouts. Moreover, the oil's high linoleic acid content (especially high in Rose Rubiginosa) is particularly beneficial to acne-prone skin, which studies show commonly lacks linoleic fatty acid. This helps it to balance sebum production, reducing the risk of clogged pores and acne flare-ups.

Furthermore, rosehip oil's anti-inflammatory properties can help calm redness, swelling, and irritation associated with acne and sensitive skin. This can lead to a reduction in the size and severity of acne lesions, promoting quicker healing and potentially reducing the risk of scarring. Additionally, the oil's antioxidant-rich composition, including vitamins A, C, and E, protects the skin from free radicals (which can exacerbate acne) and helps to soothe irritation.

Rosa Rubiginosa vs. Rosa Canina: The Difference

We’ve touched on this already, but here’s the overall scoop. While Rosa Canina is the more common form of rosehip oil found in skincare, Rosa Rubiginosa is particularly effective for its reparative and regenerative benefits. Rosa Rubiginosa has been shown to have superior bioactive Vitamin A content, particularly beta-carotene and trans-retinoic acid, as well as higher levels of linoleic fatty acid. Both versions, however, are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties including polyphenols, carotenoids and phytosterols, to help protect the skin from environmental damage and improve overall skin health. 

Sustainable Sourcing of Rosehip Oil

In addition to quality, sustainability is central to Syll’s sourcing choices. When selecting a rosehip oil product, we learned that the widespread demand for rosehip oil can lead to over farming and utilize agricultural methods that strip soil and overuse water.  So, we worked diligently to find an amazing supplier of organic Rosa Rubiginosa that utilizes responsible farming practices. The rosehips are harvested from wild rose bushes in Chile, where the plants are abundant and harvesting is done in a way that preserves the natural ecosystem. These plants are sustained with rainwater and runoff, minimizing the impact on local water resources. This ingredient also provides economic support to local farmers, and our supplier is Fair for Life certified.

Pregnancy Safe Skincare Ingredient Superstar*   

During pregnancy, it’s hard to find ingredients that are both gentle and incredibly effective - especially for concerns like acne, discoloration and fine lines. Rosehip oil is one of these awesome ingredients that can help, safely, with all of these and is used topically during pregnancy across the globe.

The concern over Vitamin A is that most medical professionals advise moms to avoid synthetic retinoids topically during pregnancy and while breastfeeding as a precaution because they are related to the same chemical family as oral isotretinoin, which has been shown to cause birth defects. However, compared to synthetic topical retinoids, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil’s trans-retinoic acid content is present at much lower concentrations. Additionally, we safely consume Vitamin A everyday from food and it is included in pre-natal supplements, as it is an important vitamin for overall health in general and during pregnancy.

 

In case you couldn’t tell: we think rosehip oil is a skincare superhero. It offers a wide range of high-performance benefits for your skin no matter what motherhood life stage you’re in or what skin type you have. Incorporating this natural elixir into your skincare routine is a simple yet effective way to achieve radiant, youthful-looking skin.

References:

Concha, J., Soto, C., Chamy, R. and Zúñiga, M.E. (2006), Effect of rosehip extraction process on oil and defatted meal physicochemical properties. J Amer Oil Chem Soc, 83: 771-775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-006-5013-2

Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010070. PMID: 29280987; PMCID: PMC5796020.

Nowak, Renata. (2005). Fatty acids composition in fruits of wild rose species. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 74. 229-235. 10.5586/asbp.2005.029.

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 *Please note Syll Botanics are not medical professionals, so if you have any concerns about using rosehip oil products during pregnancy, please seek advice from your health practitioner.