In this post, I will explain rosehip oil’s anti-ageing (well ageing) benefits for our face.
I will also explain a few key points we must remember before we get too excited about rosehip oil and its anti-ageing properties.
Rosehip oil contains several different ingredients. One of its primary ingredients is ascorbic acid, the scientific name for vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps with anti-aging in two ways: it boosts collagen production and is a powerful antioxidant.
Collagen is the protein that gives skin its structure and keeps it firm. As skin ages, the amount of collagen in our skin reduces. Reduction in collagen levels results in fine lines and saggy skin. So, by boosting collagen production, Vitamin C helps fight skin ageing.
Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals. Free radicals are harmful molecules formed on our skin due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays, pollution, and other environmental irritants. Free radicals damage healthy cells and contribute to skin aging. Antioxidants are effective at neutralising free radicals.
Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant. This means it can neutralise free radicals, the molecules that age our skin.
While vitamin C is one of the core ingredients of rosehip oil, it is essential to note that it is not an exact substitute for vitamin C skincare serums. Vitamin C serums generally contain a much higher vitamin C concentration than rosehip oil. Additionally, the concentration of vitamin C in rosehip oil can vary depending on factors such as the extraction process and the location where the plant is grown.
However, finding a reasonably priced, high-quality vitamin C skincare serum is challenging. The difficulty lies in formulating vitamin C in skincare products, leading many manufacturers to use vitamin C derivatives instead. However, these derivatives are not as effective as pure vitamin C. If you’re struggling to find a good vitamin C product, consider using a rosehip oil product as an alternative. Rosehip oil does have the pure form of vitamin C, albeit in a small quantity. Remember that it’s not an exact substitute for a good vitamin C serum.
One of the ingredients in rosehip oil is all-trans retinoic acid, the natural form of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is considered a top-tier anti-aging ingredient in skincare. However, it’s important to note that the concentration of all-trans retinoic acid in rosehip oil can vary because it is not standardised. The concentration depends on factors such as the extraction method and the location where the plant is grown. Even if we know the concentration, it is generally not as high as in dedicated vitamin A skincare products.
All-trans retinoic acid stimulates the production of new skin cells and collagen, resulting in a healthy, radiant skin appearance. This cell renewal and increased collagen production contribute to the skin’s anti-aging effects. Cell renewal is when new cells replace the old cells in the skin.
While rosehip oil contains all-trans retinoic acid, which is beneficial for the skin, it should not be considered a complete substitute for dedicated vitamin A skincare products.
One of the other ingredients in rosehip oil is carotenoids. Carotenoids are chemicals that protect plants and fruits from sun degradation. In the chemical world, these substances are called antioxidants.
A type of carotenoid called lycopene, found in rosehip oil, is also found in tomatoes. Lycopene is responsible for tomatoes’ red colour. Its primary function is to protect tomatoes from the effects of the sun’s UV radiation.
Antioxidants fight free radicals. Free radicals are terrible molecules that form on the skin due to exposure to the sun’s radiation. They damage the good cells and thus age the skin.
Due to their substantial antioxidant property, carotenoids contribute to the skin’s well-ageing.
One of the other primary ingredients in rosehip oil is phenolic compounds. These are all good antioxidants. As mentioned in my earlier paragraphs, antioxidants fight nasty free radical molecules. Free radicals are formed due to exposure to the sun’s radiation and other environmental nasties. Free radicals damage good cells and thus age our skin.
Summary
It is hard to standardise rosehip oil’s benefits as they depend on how the oil was extracted and where the plant was grown.
Rosehip oil contains multiple ingredients. Below, I am going to summarise the key benefits these ingredients all together offer.
One of the benefits of these ingredients is their antioxidant properties. They neutralise nasty free radical molecules that age our skin.
Another benefit of these ingredients is that they stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen gives skin its structure; more collagen means fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
The next benefit is an increase in the production of new cells.
Together, these three new benefits contribute to the well-ageing of our skin.
While rosehip oil is not a replacement for vitamin C or vitamin A skincare products, it is a valuable addition to your skincare routine. It should be viewed as a product that can offer a range of benefits, albeit all in small quantities.