With a high level of antioxidants, rosehip oil can combat the damage caused by free radicals on your skin. Free radicals can adversely alter DNA, lipids, and proteins in your body, causing many of the changes associated with aging, disease, and sun damage. Lycopene and beta-carotene are antioxidants found in rosehip that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Rosehip oil is generally rich inlinoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) with a lower amount of oleic acid. This is significant in controlling acne for a couple of reasons.
First, linoleic acid is more easily absorbed by your skin because it is thinner and more lightweight than oleic acid. Thatโs why rosehip oil is non-comedogenic (i.e. unlikely to clog pores), making it a good cleansing oil for acne-prone skin.
Second, studies have shown that acne-prone people have skin surface lipids with an abnormal deficiency of linoleic acid and a predominance of oleic acid. Linoleic acid can help control acne because it keeps oil production in check and promotes your skinโs natural exfoliation process. Because itโs anti-inflammatory, linoleic acid can also soothe acne-associated redness and irritation.
Researchers have found that rosehip oil improves the skinโs moisture levels, resulting in softer-feeling skin. With high levels of linoleic acid, rosehip oil can penetrate your skin and help it form a water-resistant barrier, essentially locking in moisture. This may provide some relief for conditions like dry skin or eczema where the skin barrier is disrupted, especially when you apply it immediately after a bath or shower.
Environmental pollutants and harsh chemicals found in some beauty products can damage your skinโs outermost layer.Rosehip oil contains antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene that play a role in strengthening your skinโs protective barrier.
Beta-carotene and linoleic acid in rosehip oil contribute to minimizing the look of scars. They boost collagen production, improve the skinโs turnover rate, and help to repair and prevent free radical damage. Additionally, linoleic acid can lessen the hyperpigmentation of certain scars. There is also research that rosehip oil improves the texture, erythema, and discoloration of post-surgical skin scars.
Provitamin A describes a compound that can be converted in the body to vitamin A. The most common provitamin A is beta-carotene. Thus, applying rosehip oil (which contains beta-carotene) to your skin can impart the benefits of vitamin A and that includes minimizing hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin A can lighten dark spots because it increases skin cell turnover. So old cells that have become hyperpigmented get replaced by newer cells with a normal level of pigmentation. If you have dark spots related to sun exposure, medications, or hormonal changes, you may find that rosehip oil is effective for evening out your skin tone.
Because it encourages skin cell turnover, rosehip oil acts as a natural exfoliant, which can bring radiance to a dull complexion. The oilโs astringent properties can reduce the size of your pores, which also helps brighten your skin.
Rich
in antioxidants, rosehip oil can alleviate the severity of skin
irritation related to eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and dermatitis. Of
course, itโs wise to seek consultation from a healthcare professional
for medical treatment of these conditions. But in conjunction with
appropriate treatment, rosehip oil can provide some relief for inflamed
skin symptoms.
Before adding any rosehip oil product to your skincare regimen, itโs a good idea to first do a patch test. That way you can find out how your skin reacts to the product while minimizing the extent of a potential adverse reaction. Hereโs how to do it:
To apply rosehip oil, place 2-4 drops in your hand. Then rub the fingertips of your other hand into the oil. Proceed to apply the oil on your face, neck, and under your eyes in a gentle, circular motion using your fingertips.
You can apply rosehip oil once or twice a day. Put it on after your moisturizer at night. If photosensitivity is not a concern, you can choose to apply it before your sunscreen in the morning as well.
Alternatively, instead of separate applications, you can add one or two drops of the oil into your normal moisturizer.