I’ve known about rosehip oil since I was a child. It was during a vacation in Chile when I was 10 years old that my family introduced me to this oil to treat my skin blemishes and scars (I’ll tell you more about it in this post here). Since then, I’ve never stopped using it.

At the time, the oil was sold in Chile much more as a “medicine” than as a cosmetic. I used to buy it in the pharmacy, in tiny 10 ml bottles. Today it has spread around the world, has become popular in the cosmetics industry and is no longer a family secret.

What is rosehip oil?

Extracted from the seeds of the shrub Rosa rubiginosa (or Rosa moschata), the oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants – responsible for regenerating the skin, evening out its tone and restoring that healthy glow.

He became particularly famous for smoothing scars and hyperpigmentation.But today I use it much more for its other benefits:

• Deep moisturizingreplenishes lipids, preventing dryness and flaking.
• Anti-ageing action: smoothes fine lines and stimulates collagen production.
• Even skin toneimproves the appearance of spots caused by the sun or acne.
• Natural lightrestores shine and softness to the skin.
• Top benefit – Cell regenerationhelps to heal marks, stretch marks and small blemishes.

Rosa canina vs Rosa moschata: what’s the difference?

The name “rosehip oil” is often used broadly, but there are actually different species of rose that give rise to this oil. The best known are:

• Rosa rubiginosa / Rosa moschata – Traditionally found in Chile and Argentina, it is famous for its high content of fatty acids (especially linoleic and linolenic acid), which promote intense regeneration and healing. Best for oily/acne-prone skin.
• Rosa canina – grown mainly in Europe and Africa, it has a similar composition, but with a greater amount of oleic acid. This makes it slightly more nourishing and emollient, making it excellent for deep moisturizing and strengthening the skin barrier. Best for dry/sensitive skin.

In practice, both share many benefits: they improve skin texture, help even out skin tone and offer strong antioxidant action. What changes is the emphasis:

• Rosa moschata → more focused on scars and cell renewal.
• Rosa canina → more focused on hydration, elasticity and prevention of premature ageing.

Today I use the Rosa canina version, but I only used the moschata in the past and realized that both work very well. More important than the species, in my experience, is to ensure that the oil is pure, cold-pressed and organic. You can read more about this here.

Where it is produced

Chile has always been a benchmark for the production of rosehip oil, thanks to the region’s cold, dry climate. But today countries like Lesotho, Turkey and Bulgaria also offer excellent quality oils.

The color of the oil varies greatly – from golden amber to reddish tones. This is due to the extraction process (cold pressing x refining) and the terroir (soil, altitude and climate).

• Darker oil → higher concentration of nutrients, less processed.
• Lighter oil → has undergone refining, retaining its benefits but losing some of its natural potency.

How I use it

In my night skincare routine, I apply the oil as a serum, after the tretinoin cream (see my night skincare here). I make my own mix:

• 2/3 rosehip oil
• 1/3 organic vitamin E

This combination is powerful because vitamin E:

• Enriches the texture, making the mixture more nutritious.
• Enhances antioxidant action, fighting free radicals.
• Acts as a natural preservative, protecting the oil from oxidation.

Extra tip: Always choose 100% pure, cold-pressed, and organic oils. Store in a dark bottle away from light and heat.

Where I buy it

In New Zealand, I buy my organic rosehip oil and organic vitamin E on Go Native, one of the largest suppliers of natural products in the country.

If you prefer practicality and don’t feel like creating your own serum, a brand I’ve heard very good things about is FATHERI’ve never used their products myself, but they are well-known for their quality and natural formulations.

Regardless of the brand, always observe: origin, extraction method, color and aroma. The purer, darker and more “earthy” the smell.

Other uses besides the face

Rosehip oil isn’t just for your face. It’s also excellent for:

• Stretch marks
• Post-surgical scars
• Skin marks in general
• Cuticles
• Hair

And of course: despite being natural, it can cause a reaction on sensitive skin. If you’ve never used it before, do a patch test first.

Final Thoughts

Rosehip oil has always been more of a natural remedy than a beauty product for me. When I was little, I only bought the oil in its concentrated form at the pharmacy. Over time, it became popular, and I also discovered its versatility and many other benefits. I have a special affection for this oil, and if you don’t already use it, I hope you try it and find it a faithful ally for your skin.

Until the next sip,

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.