Rose Hip Seed Oil Uses

Rose hip seed oil, extracted from the seeds of the native rose plant of Chile, is used in several ways to benefit your skin. Rose hip oil contains vital skin nutrients such as essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. This plant-based oil not only nourishes and regenerates your skin, but may also decrease and prevent wrinkles, improve the appearance of scars and diminish the effects of sun damage.

Useful Components

Rose hip seed oil contains an abundance of essential fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acid, along with vitamins A and E. Essential fatty acids regulate the flow of skin oil and nourish skin-supporting protein fibers called collagen and elastin. These important fibers -- located in the dermis, or middle layer, of your skin -- enable the skin to stretch and reposition itself to prevent sagging and wrinkling. As you age, some protein fibers deteriorate and oil gland production by the dermis' sebaceous glands diminishes. In addition, vitamins A and E play a key role in skin health by working in conjunction with essential fatty acids to moisturize and strengthen your skin.

Skin Hydration

Decreased oil production, environmental toxins and overexposure to the sun can result in dry and wrinkled skin. The moisturizing components in rose hip oil can help repair parched or damaged skin on contact. Apply this gentle amber-orange colored oil straight from the bottle or add it to creams, lotions and other oils. You can even apply undiluted rose hip oil directly on sensitive skin. Applying this oil once daily, beginning at the age of 20, prevents premature skin damage from the sun, reports Andes Natural Skin Care.

Anti-Aging

Components in rose hip seed oil may help improve sun-damaged skin. The appearance of wrinkles occurs naturally, or intrinsically, as well as from external factors such as sun-related aging, or photo-aging. Rose hip oil contains a natural source of trans-retinoic acid -- a form of vitamin A. An article published in 1994 in "The Journal of Clinical Investigation" cites observations of the effects of retinoic acid on naturally aged skin and sun-aged skin. According to researchers, retinoic acid drastically improved the effects of natural aging and improved sun-damaged skin, as well. After applying this seed oil daily for four months, you may experience a visible improvement in superficial wrinkles and sun spots.

Scar-Reducing

Rose hip seed oil can reduce the appearance of acne and surgical scars. The Mountain Rose Herbs website cites a 1983 investigation by the University of Santiago, which observed the effects of rose hip seed oil on 180 people with extensive facial scaring, acne scaring, deep wrinkles and other skin conditions. Researchers concluded that rose hip seed oil regenerated skin cells, reduced scars and wrinkles, prevented new wrinkles as well as improved skin color and tone. To reduce surgical scars, use this seed oil only after the removal of stitches. Andes Natural Skin Care recommends two or more generous applications of rose hip seed oil daily to help remove scars.