Rosehip Oil for Skin: Benefits, Uses and How to Choose

If you’ve been eyeing rosehip oil for brighter, smoother skin, here’s the good news: it lives up to the reputation, as long as you buy the right kind and use it correctly.

Rosehip oil is a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil pressed from the fruit and seeds of wild roses. It is known for supporting a healthy skin barrier, balancing uneven skin tone and softening fine lines.

It’s been a staple in my skincare routine for several years now and in this article I’m sharing everything you need to know about this exquisite oil, including:

The difference between rosehip oil and rosehip seed oil.
How to use it.
What to pair it with.
How it stacks up against retinol, vitamin C and other face oils.
How to choose a good quality rosehip oil.

Note: this post contains some affiliate links and I earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you use them to make a purchase.

Table of Contents

Rosehip Oil vs Rosehip Seed oil: What’s The Difference?

Even though the terms rosehip oil and rosehip seed oil are used interchangeably, they can mean very different things. So here’s what you need to know:

Rosehip oil usually referds to oil that is pressed from the entire rosehip fruit: seed, pulp and skin.
Rosehip rosehip seed oil usually refers to oil that is pressed from the seed only.

That distinction is important because the final composition of the oil changes based on the part of the fruit that was used for oil. Here’s why:

The seed is very high in essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9) with some beta-carotene (provitamin A).
The pulp and skin are where most of the provitamin A lives (up to five times more than the seed according to a video I watched from Pai, one of my favorite rosehip brands).

So this means a whole-fruit oil gives you both provitamin A and fatty acids, while a seed-only oil gives you mainly fatty acids, with smaller amounts of provitamin A.

Unfortunately, there’s no industry standard when it comes to the use of “rosehip oil” and “rosehip seed oil.” So how do you know what’s in your bottle?

Your safest bet is to read the full ingredient list, check the company’s website, or email their support team if the packaging is ambiguous.

Based on my personal experience reaching out to brands, they’re always happy to clarify anything that isn’t clear on their packaging.

Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Skin

May Improve Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots

Rosehip is rich in carotenoids like beta carotene, which the skin converts to retinyl esters or preformed vitamin A as shown in a 2004 study in Experimental Dermatology.

This preformed vitamin A supports cell turnover and anything that encourages skin renewal tends to help fade dark spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the marks left behind after a breakout) and general unevenness over time.

This is one of the main reasons why rosehip oil has gained a bit of a cult following through the years.

May Help Acne and Support Breakout-prone Skin

Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to produce sebum that’s high in oleic acid and low in linoleic acid. Rosehip is about 54% linoleic acid, so it may help rebalance that composition. It is also considered non-comedogenic, meaning it’s unlikely to clog pores.

May Soften Fine Lines and Reduce Signs of Premature Aging

The beta-carotene in rosehip is converted by the body into preformed vitamin A, which is the same broad group of compounds retinol belongs to. That preformed vitamin A supports collagen production and cell renewal, which is why rosehip is a popular choice for mature skin.

The fact that the oil also support the skin barrier is a bonus here, since mature skin tends to run dry.

May Improve Scars and Stretch Marks

Since rosehip oil contains precursors to vitamin A, it’s also a popular choice for anyone looking to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Supports Healthy Skin Barrier

Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is critical for the integrity of the skin barrier. As a result, this is considered one of the best oils for supporting that barrier which, when compromised can lead to dryness, redness, itching, rough patches and inflammatory skin conditions.

How to To Use Rosehip Oil

Rosehip is versatile and gentle, so there are a lot of ways to work it in. Here are my suggestions:

Use it daily, morning or night. Rosehip is fine for daily use and can be used during the day or at night.

Apply it over moisturizer, not under it: Rosehip oil is an occlusive, which means it seals in moisture, helping the skin stay hydrated. So it goes on after your water-based products and moisturizer, as the last step, to lock everything in. Quick Tip: personally, I don’t buy moisturizers. I just apply the oil to damp skin (a spritz of plain water or water + glycerin mix).

Mix it into your moisturizer: If you’d rather not layer, you put your usual amount of moisturizer in your palm, add in two drops of rosehip, blend and apply.

Let it absorb before layering sunscreen: Oils go on last, just before SPF. Give it a few minutes to absorb before you apply sunscreen over it.

Add it to a DIY oil cleanser: Because it’s non-comedogenic, rosehip works for oil cleansing too. Blend it with oils like jojoba, or sesame.

Add a few drops to a clay mask: This takes the edge off how drying clay can be, and adds a little nourishment while you’re at it.

Make a stretch mark oil: Use it on its own, or blend it with jojoba, apricot and castor oil for something more potent.

What to mix rosehip oil with

Rosehip layers well with other beauty staples like:

hyaluronic acid
other carrier oils
aloe vera gel
vitamin C serum
niacinamide
vitamin E

Personally, I would be mindful of combining it with retinol and hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs); usiing them on separate days might be best, especially if your skin is easily irritated.

For the full ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown, including exactly how to layer each one, see the complete guide on what to mix (and not) with rosehip oil.

Comparing Rosehip Oil To Other Oils and Actives

If you’re trying to decide between rosehip and another popular ingredient, here’s the quick view, followed by the details.

Compared to	How it differs from rosehip	Use together?
Retinol	High potency; synthetic	Yes, but on alternate days
Vitamin C serum	Water-based; layers under oil	Yes: serum first, then rosehip
Hyaluronic acid	Humectant (draws in water)	Yes, layer rosehip on top
Sea buckthorn	Higher in omega-7 and gamma linolenic acid (GLA)	Yes, combine in DIY blends
Evening primrose	Higher gamma linolenic acid (GLA); often taken as a supplement too	Yes
Grapeseed	Higher linoleic acid, no provitamin A	Yes, try a 50/50 DIY blend
Rose oil	An essential oil, not a carrier oil	Yes, dilute rose oil in rosehip

Rosehip Oil vs Retinol

While rosehip oil and retinol both come up in conversations about vitamin A for skin, they are quite different. Retinol is a synthetic retinoid that is converted to retinoic acid and retinol products are formulated for a specific level of potency.

On the other hand, rosehip oil delivers its vitamin A as beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), and comes naturally packaged with fatty acids that support the barrier, and antioxidants like vitamin E.

If you want a strong, targeted product, retinol wins hands down. If you want a gentler, multi-tasking or holistic ingredient, then rosehip is a good pick.

Rosehip Oil vs Vitamin C Serum

While the rosehip fruit does contain vitamin C, the oil itself isn’t a source of vitamin C since vitamin is not fat-soluble. So, if you want vitamin C in your beauty routine, it’s worth having a separate serum.

Vitamin C serum is water-based and therefore, goes on first; rosehip oil goes on top to seal it in. (For tips on layering vitamin C with everything else, see the vitamin C serum guide).

Rosehip Oil vs Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that pulls water into the skin, while rosehip oil is an occlusive that stops that water escaping. So, they actually pair well together since hyaluronic acid hydrates and rosehip locks in the hydration.

As a side note, vitamin A supports the fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce the body’s natural hyaluronic acid.

Rosehip Oil vs Sea Buckthorn Oil

Both are reddish fruit oils with a lot of overlap, but sea buckthorn brings a few things rosehip doesn’t. First, seabuckthorn is high in omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), which supports wound healing.

It is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which improves elasticity and calms inflammation.

As for rosehip oil, it’s big claim to fame is its beta-carotene which supports collagen product and skin renewal.

Overall, sea buckthorn is considered for inflamed skin and it can be combined with rosehip in DIY recipes. Just be aware that sea buckthorn can stain (more so than rosehip), so it’s usually used in small amounts.

Rosehip Oil vs Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose is best known for its high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content, which makes it popular with those who have inflamed skin, as well as hormone-driven skin conditions.

It’s also commonly taken as an oral supplement, whereas rosehip is almost always used topically, especially for women in midlife when hormonal fluctuations can create unexpected changes both externally and internally.

Rosehip Oil vs Grapeseed Oil

Both are lightweight, non-comedogenic and suit all skin types, but they lead with different strengths. Grapeseed is even higher in linoleic acid (around 66 to 75%), which makes it one of the best oils for oily and acne-prone skin. Rosehip contains beta-carotene, which grapeseed doesn’t have.

As someone who’s used both, I can say that they work well together in DIY recipes too.

Rosehip Oil vs Rose Oil

These get confused because of the shared name, but they’re fundamentally different. Rose oil is an essential oil made up of volatile aromatic compounds with some antioxidants but no real nutrients. Rosehip is a carrier oil full of fatty acids and antioxidants but no volatile compounds.

If you choose to use rose oil on your skin, then rosehip oil is a suitable carrier to dilute it in (never apply rose oil or any other essential oil undiluted as it can cause all sorts of irritation and damage).

Rosehip Oil vs Jojoba Oil

Jojoba most closely mimics the skin’s own sebum and is considered one of the best oils for oily and acne-prone skin. As for rosehip, it’s best known for its skin brightening effects. For the full comparison, of these two oils, see rosehip oil vs jojoba oil for face.

How to Choose A Rosehip Oil

The main things to look for when buying rosehip oil are:

Type: check the label (or the company website) to see if the oil is a seed-only oil or a full spectrum rosehip oil (seed, pulp and skin). Both are beneficial for the skin, but knowing which part of the rosehip was used for the oil simply helps you to know which nutrients are in the oil.

Extraction Method: The most common extraction method for oils is cold pressing. This method uses low temperatures to help preserve the nutrients in the oil. Another extraction method that some companies use is CO2 extraction. This relies on pressure from carbon dioxide and is very gentle, producing a very fine quality oil.

Rose type: rosehip oil is made from wild roses which are different from the roses we use in a flower bouquet. Rosa canina and rosa mosqueta (aka rosa rubiginosa) are the two types that you are likely to see listed on a rosehip oil bottle. But that said, there are other varieties. So, depending on the region of the world that a company sources their plants from, you might see another type of rosa listed.

Color and Smell: good quality rosehip oil has a reddish color, but it can also lean towards orange. As for the smell, my experience is that the seed-only oil can have a bit of a fish-like smell. On the other hand, the full spectrum oil that uses the seed and fruit has a pleasant, musk scent. NOTE: it should not smell like roses. If it does, then fragrance has been added to it.

Packaging: a dark, glass bottle is best because it protects the rosehip oil from exposure to light. Avoid clear bottles (unless it clearly states that the bottle has a UV-protectant layer).

Best Rosehip Oils for Face

There’s no shortage of rosehip oil on the market! However, this shortlist is meant to give you a selection of oils that are made through different extraction methods, using different parts of the rosehip and with various prices for every budget.

1. Personal Favorite: Kosmea Rosehip Oil

best rosehip oils for face - bottle of kosmea oil

My personal favorite rosehip oil because it is CO2 extracted and made from the seed, pulp and skin.
Organic certification.
Very lightweight and absorbs really well.
Very pleasant, musk-like smell.
Works well on its own or in blends with other oils.

Get Kosmea rosehip oil here.

2. Runner Up Favorite: Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil

CO2 extracted oil.
Made from the entire rosehip (seed, skin and pulp).
Certified organic, vegan and cruelty-free.
contains vitamin E, rosemary leaf extract, squalene (vegan sourced emollient) and beta-sitosterol (fatty acid that moisturizes and soothes the skin) (source).

Get the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil here.

3. Radha Rosehip Oil

Cold pressed oil.
Made from the seed.
Certified organic.
My experience with this one is that it has a fishy smell. But the smell completely disappears once you apply it on your skin. I bought it when I was first exploring rosehip oils and decided to stick with the two mentioned above since they are made from the entire fruit (flesh and seed).

Get Radha rosehip oil here.

Disadvantages and Side Effects

Rosehip oil is generally well tolerated, but a few things are worth knowing.

Short shelf life: Once opened, it lasts about 6 months. Store it somewhere cool and dark, or in the fridge, and watch for changes in smell or color, which signal it’s going rancid.
Possible irritation or allergy: As with any oil, do a patch test first. Discontinue if you notice redness, itching or any other allergic reaction.

FAQs About Rosehip Oil

Can I apply rosehip oil directly to skin? Not to fully dry skin. Apply it to damp or already-moisturized skin so it can seal in that moisture instead of just sitting on top.

Can I use rosehip oil every day? Yes, on its own, blended with other carrier oils, or mixed into your moisturizer.

Will rosehip oil clog my pores? It’s non-comedogenic and generally unlikely to clog pores.

How long does rosehip oil take to work? It varies: some sources say roughly 4 weeks for acne and 6 weeks for scars or fine lines, with pigmentation taking longest.

Can rosehip oil replace my moisturizer? Not exactly. It seals moisture in but doesn’t provide hydration itself, so it works best over moisturizer.

Can I use rosehip oil under my eyes? Yes. It’s gentle enough for the under-eye area and I’ve used it around the eyes for many years without any side effects.

Should rosehip oil smell like fish? A faint fishy note is normal for seed-only oils. A strong, off smell typically means it’s gone bad.

Does rosehip oil help grow eyelashes or eyebrows? There’s no research supporting this, only anecdotal reports.

Is retinol better than rosehip oil? Neither is universally “better.” Retinol is a synthetic ingredient and the products that contain this ingredient are formulated with a specific degree of potency in mind. Rosehip contains precursors to vitamin A, but doesn’t come with a specific potency or concentration the way retinol products do.

Is rosehip oil the same as rosemary oil? No, they’re completely different oils that just sound like they might be related. See the difference between rosehip and rosemary oil for details.

The Bottom Line

Rosehip oil is a multi-purpose carrier oil that is known for brightening the skin, softening fine lines, supporting the barrier and soothing breakout-prone skin.

For the best results, choose a CO2-extracted or cold-pressed oil in a dark bottle, apply a few drops over damp or moisturized skin, and use it consistently to see what it can do.

Rosehip Oil for Skin: Benefits, Uses and How to Choose The Right One