You can’t walk a Sephora these days without spotting at least a dozen different types of oils. Jojoba, argan, coconut oil: you understand. But hey, don’t run rosehip oil without taking a second look.
The first thing to know: Rosehip oil is not actually extracted from a mature rose. Instead, “it is extracted from the seeds of the wild rose hip, which is a plant grown in Chile, but can also be found in other parts of the world,” says Melissa K. Levin, MD, based in the city of New York. dermatologist. “Originally, it was used by the Mayans and Native Americans for its healing properties.”
Usually ranging from $ 5 to $ 15, rosehip oil (or rosehip seed oil) “has a high ratio of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and oleic acid, as well as tocopherol and carotenoids,” he says. Levin. “This combination makes it useful as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to neutralize oxidative stress.”
So yes, the benefits of rosehip oil are real. Here is more evidence:
1. Hydrate your skin
“Many people who regularly use rosehip oil notice that their skin is less dry, which makes sense considering the free fatty acids, including linoleic acid, found in this product,” says Suneel Chilukuri, MD, founder. from Refresh Dermatology in Houston. Howe adds that linoleic acid is an essential component of ceramides, the main moisturizing element in the skin.
2. It is anti-aging
The high level of vitamin C only gives rosehip oil a powerful anti-aging effect. “The antioxidant activity of vitamin C protects and repairs damage from UV rays and helps reduce wrinkles,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology. Additionally, carotenoids, which are vitamin A-like compounds that regulate skin renewal, “lead to a brighter, more even complexion,” Howe says.
3. Light up the skin.
Vitamin C in rosehip oil has been shown to “effectively reduce hyperpigmentation and lighten the skin,” explains Chilukuri.
4. Can promote healing
Maybe apply those things to the shaving scar that just won’t go away on your leg. Some preliminary research on skin cells in a laboratory shows that rosehip oil “effectively improved scars.”
Rosehip oil helps stimulate “macrophages to change to a form that promotes good healing, as opposed to a form that causes poor healing and increased scarring,” Howe says.
5. It is antibacterial
The phenols in rosehip oil have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. “As long as the oil is not irritating to those patients with eczema-prone skin, this product can benefit them both to rehydrate the skin and to prevent infections commonly seen in eczema,” says Chilukuri.
6. It can help reduce skin pigmentation.
The retinoids in rosehip oil, like trans retinoic acid, help lighten the pigment. “They also accelerate cell maturation and renewal, resulting in an overall glow effect,” says Howe.
7. Fight acne.
“Retinoids exert an effect similar to Retin-A, regulating cell turnover in such a way that it reduces follicular plugging and the formation of black spots,” Howe explains. The anti-inflammatory effects of rosehip oil soothe redness and also reduce cysts.
8. Can help with stretch marks
A recent study looked at a stretch mark prevention cream containing rosehip oil. Surprisingly, “women who used the cream during their pregnancies were less likely to develop stretch marks, and those who already had stretch marks found that they did not worsen,” Howe explains. Hey, it’s worth a try.
Credits: DALEY QUINN- Women’s Health