Style Skincare Experts Say Rosehip Oil Is Amazing for Sensitive Skin—Here's Why It's great for anti-aging, hydration, and hyperpigmenation—and works on all skin types. By Genesis Rivas Updated on May 17, 2023 Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images When it comes to facial oils, coconut, argan, and jojoba oil tend to get all the attention. It's time to familiarize yourself with rosehip oil, also known as rosehip seed oil, a powerhouse ingredient loaded with good-for-you skin benefits. This naturally extracted oil is found in a wide range of moisturizers, serums, and oils—chances are, you might have used rosehip oil without knowing it. Here's everything you need to know about rosehip oil, including its benefits, how to use it, and products to try. What is rosehip oil? "Rosehip oil is oil derived from part of the rose plant," says Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. Beneath the rose, there's a small fruit, referred to as hips, with seeds. The seeds of the fruit are pressed to extract what we know as rosehip oil. This all-natural oil is used in many cosmetic formulas for its wide range of benefits. The benefits of rosehip oil Studies show that rosehip oil can help decrease inflammation and soothe inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema. It's also a powerful hydrator with many anti-aging benefits. According to Dr. Greenfield, it can help improve the look of existing fine lines and wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones. "It can also improve the appearance of scars," she adds. "It works by encouraging an important cell, called a macrophage, to turn on its wound healing properties." Rosehip oil is rich in fatty acids, and antioxidants like ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) that can help reduce dull-looking skin and improve skin's radiance. Additionally, the antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage, which can cause premature signs of aging. And the best news of all? Rosehip oil is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. "It's one of the few hydrating and anti-aging ingredients suitable for this skin type," says Dr. Greenfield. How to use rosehip oil Rosehip oil is safe to use twice daily, either as a pure oil, which can be found at your local drugstore, or as an ingredient in a skincare formula, says Dr. Greenfield. It's available in all types of skincare products, but is most popular in moisturizers because of its moisturizing and hydrating benefits. If you're using it as an oil or serum, you should apply it after you apply any topical medication, but before your sunscreen, says Dr. Greenfield. Products with rosehip oil to try 01 of 05 Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil Sephora $72, sephora.com For a visibly brighter and smoother-looking complexion, reach for this hydrating face oil. It's formulated with rose oil, vitamin C, and squalane oil to deliver increased radiance and lightweight hydration that lasts. 02 of 05 Herla Beauty Damask Rose Smoothing and Tightening Eye Cream Macy's $48, macys.com Target any skincare concerns with this nourishing eye cream. You can physically feel the skin tightening up after application, smoothing out any fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps brighten the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles. 03 of 05 NakedPoppy Revitalize Organic Facial Oil Revitalize Organic Facial Oil Naked Poppy $42, nakedpoppy.com Winter dryness is no match for this antioxidant-rich facial oil. It's made with a selection of skin-benefiting oils such as rosehip, jojoba, argan, and poppy seed oil to deeply moisturize the skin while improving the look of fine lines and dullness. 04 of 05 Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Universal Face Oil Credo Beauty $44, credobeauty.com This is another popular facial oil that helps nourish and moisturize the skin. In addition to rosehip, it's packed with omega fatty acids to help increase firmness and elasticity, and promote a more even tone. 05 of 05 BLUME Meltdown Acne Oil Ulta $28, ulta.com Oily and acne-prone skin types can also benefit from rosehip oil. This acne-fighting oil treats current breakouts and prevents future ones from forming while leaving the skin feeling hydrated and balanced. It's formulated with black cumin seed, which is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, blue tansy to help treat and soothe acne, and rosehip to fade any dark spots and acne scars. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Dabrowska M, Maciejczyk E, Kalemba D. Rose hip seed oil: methods of extraction and chemical composition. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol. 2019;121(8):1800440. doi:10.1002/ejlt.201800440 Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070 Ilyasoglu H. Characterization of rosehip (Rosa canina L.) seed and seed oil. International Journal of Food Properties. 2014;17(7):1591-1598. doi:10.1080/10942912.2013.777075 Poljšak B, Dahmane R. Free radicals and extrinsic skin aging. Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:135206. doi:10.1155/2012/135206