Rosehip Oil: The Oil of Youth

We often hear about rosehip oil and how it has been considered the oil of youth by women all over the world for more than 2,000 years. The fact is, although it adorns the packaging of many skincare products, many people don’t fully understand what it consists of exactly.

Yes, rosehip oil is a derivative of roses. But what you may not know is that, to the contrary of hydrosols, essential oils and infusions, rosehip oil is not extracted from the rose’s petals but from its seed pods, commonly known as its “hips”. Rosehips are the small, reddish berry-resembling “fruits” that remain on a rose bush once the flowers have died.

Extracting the oil

 Rosehip oil is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds of specific varieties of roses (Rosa Canina, Rosa Rubiginosa, Rosa Eglanteria, and Rosa Moschata). These varieties are mainly cultivated in Chile and South Africa.

After blooming during the summer, the flowers begin to die and the petals fall off, unveiling the flower base - the rosehips protecting the seeds of the plant. Rosehips are usually picked after the first frost to soften them more easily. Rosehip oil cannot be extracted from all roses because modern varieties of roses simply don’t produce rosehips.

Since the 1980s, studies have demonstrated the benefits of rosehip oil for sensitive skin types such as those with eczema, neurodermatitis and cheilitis. One study mention that the oil contains a lot of linoleic acid (omega-6), which helps soothe acne and retain moisture in the skin. Rosehip oil also contains vitamin C and exhibits anti-inflammatory, brightening and antioxidant properties, contributing to reducing the look of scars and blemishes and the signs of aging on the skin.

A “dry” oil perfect for the winter

At Green Acre Scent, I use rosehip oil in many products. As a “dry” oil (meaning that it is fast absorbed into the skin), its consistency is perfect to create skincare that is moisturizing without obstructing pores or leaving an oily residue.

Winter is coming and our luxurious facial oils are just what you need to avoid that cracking feeling that comes as soon as temperatures drop. The oils will leave your skin feeling soft but not greasy, nor shiny.

The Nourishing Facial Oil has a light spicy-woody floral scent that promotes relaxation. It moisturizes your skin therefore contributing to its youthful appearance.

 The Radiance Facial Oil has a sweet-spicy-exotic floral scent, giving it an extra edge. It helps ease the itchiness of dry and sensitive skins and supports the regeneration of skin cells for a younger-looking you.

You’ll be happy to learn that these oils can also double as relaxing and invigorating body massage oils and as scalp and hair moisturizing masks.

The oils can help improve the appearance of the skin texture and promote a healthy shine-looking hair strands.  You may want to give your hair a thorough rinse following application, depending on your hair texture and how much you’ve applied. You can also add a drop to your favorite shampoo.

 If you’re looking for something a bit lighter in texture, you’ll also find rosehip oil in our Wild Violets Lotion and our Black Currant Rejuvenating Lotion, while our Rejuvenating Facial Toner contains rosehip extract, which is full of beneficial vitamins and promotes skin elasticity.

Read our post on keeping your skin moisturized during the cold season.

But who says winter also says chapped lips and brittle nails

Our lips butters contain 80 % organic ingredients (think rich raw Shea butter, rosehip oil, pure almond and jojoba oil, and raw Canadian beeswax) and come in two marvelous scents: refreshing peppermint or soothing frankincense. No lips are too dry for these babies!

Our cuticle cream will do wonders for the dry skin around your nails and will give your hands a healthy glow. Combining tea tree, rosemary and lemon essential oils, it sure will enhance your mood while keeping away fungus and eczema.

Apply every night before bed (some people like to wear cotton gloves to keep all the moisture in) and within a few days, your nails will feel like new!

A favorite in the kitchen

I must say, even if I don’t grow my own, I absolutely love rosehip, not just on my skin but also in my belly. In fact, I love it so much that I infuse the dried fruits in tea and eat it as a homemade jam quite often. It has a tangy-citrus flavour that has been used in kitchens all over the world, both fresh and dried, in sweet and savoury dishes.

Making rosehip jam is quite easy. Get the recipe from our Facebook page.