Why Rosehip Oil is Great for Rosacea

It does almost everything from minimising fines lines, to alleviating acne, scars and burns but rosehip oil has become a go-to ingredient for those with rosacea because of its high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamin A that help reduce inflammation and repair skin.

What is Rosehip Oil?

Rosehip oil – also known as rosehip seed oil – is derived from the rosa canina rose bush which is mostly grown in Chile. It’s been valued since ancient times for its many healing properties as it’s loaded with polyphenols that have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties which make it especially helpful for those with rosacea.

Unlike rose oil which is pressed from the plant’s petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the plant. It may seem like nothing, but cold pressed rosehip oil is far better than rosehip oil that has been heat pressed. When the oil is cold pressed it means that a steel press is used instead of a heating process to extract the oils. The result of cold pressed rosehip oil is that the integrity of the ingredient is kept intact so all the vitamins and antioxidants remain active so they can do their best work on your skin.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition the appears as redness on the face, primarily in the nose, forehead, and cheeks. It most often effects people with a fair skin complexion and usually effects women between the ages of 25 to 60 years.

There are four types of rosacea, though several types can appear at once:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea – characterised by flushing, burning, or rough or scaly skin
• Papulopustular rosacea – mild papules or pustules that are pus-filled blemishes
• Phymatous rosacea – characterised by thickened skin with enlarged pores
• Ocular rosacea – inflammation on the eyelid and eye

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

Benefits of Using Rosehip Oil on Rosacea Prone Skin

It Hydrates: Up to half of people with rosacea also have other skin problems like patches of rough or dry skin. Rosehip oil contains an abundance of essential fatty acids including linoleic and linolenic that keep cell walls strong, so they don’t loose water.

Brightens and Revitalizes Skin: With high concentrations of vitamin A, B and E, rosehip oil encourages cell turnover and repairs and heals the skin, leaving your skin looking more vibrant.

Heals and Soothes: Rosehip oil contains high levels of vitamin C which has anti-inflammatory properties that heal and soothe inflamed skin. Vitamin C also protects against free radicals and sun damage that may be irritating the skin, which makes it great addition to your skincare routine when you have a flare up.

Boost Collagen: Recent studies have found a correlation between decreased collagen content and increased blood vessel size in rosacea patients. Another study found a link between photo damaged induced collagen degeneration and rosacea sufferers. Collagen helps strengthen the connective tissue which can be significant for those with rosacea. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A which is necessary to produce collagen.

Calms Inflammation: Rich in both polyphenols and anthocyanin which help reduce inflammation, it also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory effects on skin.

Boosts Skin Resilience: Containing both antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid which helps prevent the breakdown of the cell membranes in the skin. When your skin cells are strong and healthy, they act as barrier to prevent bacteria from invading the skin which can lead to rosacea flare ups.

Intensive Night Repair with Rosehip Oil

Side Effects of Rosehip Oil

Although generally safe for all skin types, rosacea prone skin can be especially sensitive to new ingredients so it’s best to conduct a patch test before applying. If you experience any adverse reaction, cease using rosehip oil or the product containing it immediately and if symptoms persist, contact a dermatologist.

As it’s full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that nourish, repair, and calm the skin, rosehip oil is a must have in your skincare routine for anyone with rosacea.