What Exactly Does Rosehip Oil Do To Your Face?

From avocado oil to coconut oil, argan oil and jojoba oil, gone are the days when we all thought oils made our faces greasy. These days, face oils are all the rage. And the one oil we keep seeing pop up everywhere at the moment is rosehip oil.

Melissa K. Levin, M.D., New York City-based dermatologist, told Good Housekeeping that rosehip oil "is pressed from the seeds of wild rosehip fruit, which is a plant grown in Chile, but can also be found in other parts of the world, too." Believed to have been used by the Mayans and Native Americans for its healing properties, today rosehip oil is still revered for its many benefits.

Levin claims rosehip oil "has a high ratio of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and oleic acid, as well as tocopherol and carotenoids," meaning it's antibacterial and ideal for use as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, agrees, going as far as saying that rosehip oil can even be anti-aging. "The antioxidant activity of the vitamin C protects and repairs UV-damage and helps to reduce wrinkles," he told Good Housekeeping.

Rosehip oil can also work to fight acne as it contains retinoids. "Retinoids exert an effect similar to Retin-A, regulating cell turnover in such a way that reduces follicular plugging and the formation of blackheads," explains Howe. Ultimately, using retinoids on your skin can help you achieve a brighter, clearer complexion.

Incredibly, rosehips are also said to prevent stretch marks. Speaking of a recent study, which tested rosehip cream on stretch marks, Howe revealed that those who used rosehip cream during their pregnancies were less likely to get stretch marks in the first place, and if they already had some stripes, they discovered that they didn't get worse.  

With so many natural skin benefits, it's definitely worth a try.