If you have acne the idea of putting oil on your face probably sounds like madness. Oil clogs your pores makes ance worse and your already making a ton of oil on your own right?
What if I told you that rosehip oil and acne-prone skin are not enemies, but actually friends. Maybe even best friends. Is it true?
Can rosehip oil help Acne?
Rosehip Oil is rich in Vitamin A and Omega 3 and 6, which assist in reducing inflammation, repairing damaged skin cells, even out skin tone and texture, and balancing the skin’s production of sebum. All of these properties mean that rosehip oil can help heal and prevent acne.
Acne can be extremely challenging to cope with and be a major blow to your confidence, trigger anxiety, and even cause depression.
You may be tempted to tackle acne aggressively, please don’t.
There are safer and gentler alternatives that have proven to be effective long term. Rosehip oil is one of the good guys. So, put down the pimple popping tools, and stick around to find out all about this wonderful all-natural oil.
What is Rosehip oil?
Rosehip Oil is derived from the seeds and fruits of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family, otherwise known as Rosehip Seed Oil.
Don’t confuse rosehip oil with pure rose oil which is an essential oil extracted from rose petals. They are not the same for a start pure rose oil can cost up to $100 per ml while the highest quality rosehip oil is around $1 per ml. Rose oil is used mainly in perfume and in tiny amounts in skincare products.
Rosehip oil has many benefits that boost the health of the skin overall. Whatever skin issues you have from acne to hyperpigmentation rosehip oil can help.
Every skin type and tone can add rosehip oil into their everyday skincare routine.
A lot of natural skin care products claim to do it all, rosehip oil is one that can actually do lots of good stuff for your skin. It is high in Vitamin A which is what retinoids and retinoic acid are made from.
It also contains Vitamin C which has been proven to increase collagen and elastin fibre production.
It’s also packed with Omega 3 and 6 these are essential fatty acids (EFA) which are not naturally occurring in humans but are crucial for skin and overall health. You have to eat them in your diet as you can’t make them on your own.
The Omega EFAs are particularly beneficial for the skin as they assist in fighting inflammation, and help to balance out pH levels in the skin. A lack of sufficient Omega 3 and 6 can result in uneven textured skin, dryness and irritation. Rosehip Oil contains a potent quantity of the nutrient that can be absorbed directly into the affected area.
How Does Rosehip Oil Help Acne?
Rosehip Oil assists in the clearance of acne, and the side effects of acne such as dark spots AKA hyperpigmentation and redness. It does this by reducing the amount of sebum your skin makes, it has antibacterial properties that kill the acne-causing P. Acnes from taking hold and causing infected acne.
Rosehip oil has also been shown to speed up wound healing, which is good news if you have active acne.
The vitamin A in rosehip oil, also known as retinol can help to lighten pigmentation. Rosehip oil is also non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog pores. Clogged pores are the enemy of acne-free skin.
It’s moisturizing because it helps repair the skins natural barrier and holds water within the skin. Oh yes, my friends, there is a lot to love about rosehip oil.
Despite the fact that it’s not number one of our skincare products to treat acne it deserves a lot more love, particularly if you prefer to use organic, and natural skin care products
People who are suffering from active acne have less linoleic acid occurring naturally, which is an Omega 6 fatty acid. Linoleic acid helps regulate the activity of sebaceous glands and sebum production. Thus, the addition of Rosehip Oil can assist in restoring linoleic acid and assisting the sebaceous glands in producing sebum in moderation.
Vitamin A, also present in rosehip oil turns down sebum production as well.
Rosehip Oil is unlikely to have visible effects on pitted acne scars. It can improve the appearance of raised scars, blemishes, and pigmentation. Although these benefits of rosehip oil are mild.
Can Rosehip Oil help Rosacea?
Rosacea is very common and affects the central part of the face mostly the cheeks chin and nose. It starts with redness that looks like intense blushing and then can progress to acne-like bumps called pustules. Rosacea tends to make dry skin and irritation worse.
Rosehip Oil can help by reducing redness and inflammation, and restoring the damaged cells of the skin barrier.
The ability for Rosehip Oil to target the condition, texture, elasticity, and overall tone of the skin, and reduce scarring makes it a good choice if you have Rosacea and want to help support your skin to better health.
Is Rosehip Oil good for oily skin?
Rosehip Oil is what is known as a dry oil. This means it doesn’t leave an oily residue on the skin and is the perfect facial oil for people with oily skin.
Rosehip oil can assist in restoring natural pH balance in addition to the range of other benefits, the use of Rosehip Oil can indeed help to balance out the oil production in oily skin.
Can I use Rosehip Oil if I have sensitive skin?
Rosehip Oil is considered suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. However, this is not set in stone. It is always advised to do a patch test before putting any new skincare product on your face.
Does Rosehip Oil have any side effects of usage?
Rosehip Oil is gentle on the skin, non-comedonegenic and is considered a very low allergy risk. But there is no skincare product or ingredient that is 100% safe for 100% of people.
Start by using 100% pure organic rosehip oil before adding in a product that has rosehip as an ingredient. That way you will be able to tell if it is the rosehip oil that is causing a reaction.
Rosehip oil shouldn’t cause purging, even though it contains vitamin A it is not an active ingredient like retinoids. You should proceed with caution if you are going to use retinol/retinoic acid at the same time as rosehip oil.
How long does Rosehip Oil take to work?
With skincare consistency is key. If you want to see results you need to apply rosehip oil daily for 6 – 8 weeks before you start to see dramatic improvements.
This will also depend on the severity of your skin condition to start with. No skincare product even retinol will give instant results or ‘overnight’ results. Your skin will need to heal, repair and rebalance and these processes all take time. Rosehip oil can help this process as can many other skincare ingredients, but they all take time.
However, if after using rosehip oil for 8 weeks and you see no visible or textural improvements you should consult a dermatologist. Rosehip oil will not make your acne or rosacea worse but it may take a long time to make it better.
Can you use Rosehip Oil with other products?
Since it does contain Vitamin A, caution should be used if you are using retinol or retinoid products. It is compatible with most skincare products and can be more effective when paired with other formulas also targeting your particular skin issue.
Should I Add Rosehip Oil Into My Skincare Routine?
Rosehip Oil can help in restoring damaged skin cells, balancing out skin tone, targeting scarring and uneven pigmentation, and aiding the health of new skin cells turn over.
It is also an excellent moisturizer that won’t clog pores and is suitable for all skin types and textures.
Rosehip Oil can add lots of benefits to your skincare routine. It is as simple to use just add 2 – 3 drops mixed in with or under your moisturizer. You can use it twice a day morning and night.
You can also use it to do your own at-home facial massage on its own or with a jade roller.
If you’re not using rosehip oil and want to add a natural boost to your skin then definitely give it a try, your skin will thank you for it.
It is always advised to seek professional advice from your doctor or dermatologist before using any product if you suffer from severe acne, rosacea, dermatitis or eczema. You should not try and treat these skin conditions on your own.
Also if you experience any side effects such as redness, itching, swelling or pain when using a new product, stop using it and seek medical advice.