If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that using face oil is a fantastic way to boost the radiance, plumpness, and luminosity of one’s skin. I mean, there’s a reason they’re a red-carpet essential for celebrities and the estheticians and makeup artists who prep their skin. Face oils are, without a doubt, glow-giving. While using face oil is easy, choosing one is not. There are thousands of variations on the market, some made from a single oil and others made from a specific combination of oils. As such, it can feel like a full-time job to keep up with all of them and their potential benefits and drawbacks. How do you know which one to choose? And how can you be sure it will suit your skin (and not make you breakout)? Allow me to make things a little easier for you by putting one specific oil on your radar: rose-hip oil. It’s moisturizing, it’s rich in antioxidants, and it has the ability to make your skin petal-soft. The best part is that it’s suitable for all skin types (yep, all of them, including acne-prone skin). Keep scrolling to learn all about rose-hip oil and the incredible things it can do for your skin, according to a dermatologist, an esthetician, and a cosmetic chemist.
“Rose-hip oil is a pressed seed oil extracted from the rose hips,” explains cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson of BeautyStat. What is a rose hip, you ask? Good question. It’s the fruit that develops below the blossoms of a rose plant. “It is rich in vitamins (like vitamin A and C) that might help increase cell turnover as well as rich in essential fatty acids (which help hydrate the skin) and antioxidants that might help protect the skin,” he explains.
Dermatologist and founder of Skin Science Dermatology, Dr. Geeta Yadav, notes rose-hip oil’s anti-inflammatory properties. “Rose-hip oil is naturally rich in omega fatty acids, which help nourish the skin as well as promote a healthier skin barrier,” she says. “It’s also packed with vitamins, most notably A and C, which help promote firmer, brighter, and more balanced skin with less inflammation.”
That’s what makes it suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin (yes, really). “Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s actually wonderful for all skin types, including many acne-prone complexions,” Dr. Yadav assures. “Anyone who wants hydrated, firmer, and more balanced skin can benefit from this ingredient.” Esthetician Candace Marino says rose-hip oil can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, even discrepancies in skin tone, regenerate the skin, improve elasticity, and boost collagen production. Not bad for a single face oil, right? She recommends using it as your final skincare step in the evening to lock in moisture and give your skin all of its substantial benefits. Just be sure to pause between when you apply your rose-hip oil and when you climb into bed. “If you’re using a simple formulation that solely contains rose-hip oil in the evenings, make sure it’s fully absorbed into your skin before you go to bed,” Dr. Yadav cautions. “Rose-hip oil can easily stain your pillowcase, especially if it’s deeper in color (the hue can vary from a lighter yellow to a deeper orange shade).”
Dr. Yadav recommends this rose-hip oil from The Inkey List since it’s “100% rose-hip oil and delivers hydrating, complexion-evening, and balancing benefits for a budget-friendly price.”
Robinson’s favorite rose-hip oil-packed product is this no-frills one. “I like Trilogy’s Rose-Hip Oil given their scientific testing to support their skincare claims,” he says.
“My favorite oil containing rose-hip seed oil is the Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil which contains rose-hip plus other naturally derived organic oils like sea buckthorn and pomegranate and superfruit Noni,” Marino says. “This combination is an antioxidant-packed dose of nutrition and moisture to feed the skin.”
Another budget-friendly product, this rose-hip oil from the cult-favorite brand, The Ordinary, is high-purity, sustainably sourced, organic, and cold-pressed. Plus, it’s only $10, so, yeah.
This do-it-all skin serum is packed with rose-hip oil to alleviate redness, dryness, and restore elasticity, as well as jojoba oil, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It promises to firm, brighten, and protect the skin from environmental pollutants.
This is a no-frills rose-hip oil that’s rich in omega 3, 6, and 9. Not only is it super moisturizing, but it can even visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
This oil-serum (which is composed of 49% rose-hip oil) is meant to firm the skin with the addition of grapeseed oil and vitamin E to smooth and soften its texture.
This fiery orange oil from Herbivore Botanicals includes rose-hip, as well as CoQ10 to provide antioxidants and sea buckthorn oil to condition and support the skin’s natural lipids.
As the name implies, you’ll find pure, cold-pressed rose-hip oil in this tiny droplet jar. You’ll also find provitamin A, which is a natural derivative of retinol that can promote cellular turnover, and essential fatty acids, which support a healthy moisture barrier.
This little bottle contains rose-hip seed oil and rose-hip fruit oil. The brand claims this mixture quintuples the carotenoids and doubles the regenerative properties of the product. All I can say is that using it for two weeks was enough to boost the brightness and luminosity of my skin.
Sure, this isn’t a pure rose-hip oil—in fact, it’s formulated with a multitude of oils, including Tsubaki, sweet almond, watermelon, borage, evening primrose, pomegranate, grape seed, and more. However, with the addition of rose hip, it’s positively loaded with antioxidants and essential fatty acids to help protect the skin and lock in moisture. By the way, while I’m on the subject, I need to talk about the brand’s Body Oil ($104) and Body Butter ($95). Both are completely decadent. Yes, they’re certainly an investment, but I swear nothing has moisturized my skin better. Rose-hip oil is a star ingredient in both of them.
The cult-favorite Vitner’s Daughter serum also contains rose-hip oil, along with a slew of other oils like rose, grapeseed, avocado, hazelnut, and evening primrose. (For the sake of background, this botanical serum is beloved by beauty editors, estheticians, and celebrities the world over, as it soothes, moisturizes, softens, and protects the skin.)
Along with the aforementioned face oil, Marino also loves the Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil ($58). She recommends it specifically for people who have rough texture or pigmented skin (such as those with keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, pigmented scars, or body acne) since it nourishes the skin with vitamins and can encourage healthy cellular turnover.
Here’s the MUTHA Body Butter I mentioned. As I said before, it’s decadent and supremely moisturizing. It starts off solid, but once you rub it between your hands, it emulsifies into a silky oil texture. It’s one of my favorite post-shower body care products, well, ever.
And here’s the Body Oil, too. Senior Beauty Editor Erin Jahns once recommended that I layer the oil over the butter. I tried it once and I never looked back. It’s my surefire way to moisturize the dry skin on my arms and legs, and I use it all year round.
This botanical body cleanser contains a delightful mix of neroli, tangerine, and rosemary extracts. It also contains jojoba, macadamia, and rose-hip oils to cleanse the skin while delivering moisture, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants to the skin.
For an invigorating body oil to use post-morning shower, reach for this one from Goop. It contains organic Indian black pepper oil, Bulgarian rose-hip oil, and Korean red ginseng oils to smooth, moisturize, and nourish the skin (while giving you a little pep in your step).
