Who Knew Rose-Hip Oil Was So Incredible for Your Skin? (I Repeat: Incredible)

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

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. 

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What Is Rose-Hip Oil and What Are the Benefits of It?

"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."

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(Image credit: @jeannine.roxas)

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)." 

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12 Rose-Hip Oils to Incorporate Into Your Skincare Routine

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Bring the Benefits of Rose-Hip Oil to Your Body, Too

Next, 18 luxury body products I'm treating myself to this fall

Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.