What it is
This ingredient is obtained from rosehips, the fruit of the wild dog rose, which are a recognized source of vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds. In formulations it is used to condition the skin and contribute antioxidant character. In sunscreens it generally appears as a low-level botanical supporting the overall formula rather than as an active filter.
Safety & warnings
The fruit extract is generally well tolerated at cosmetic use levels. As with other plant extracts, occasional sensitivity is possible in reactive individuals; note this is the fruit extract and not rose flower oil, which carries fragrance-allergen considerations.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; produced by extraction from the hips (fruit) of Rosa canina, a wild rose species widespread across Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa.
History
Rosehips from Rosa canina have a long history of traditional use as a food and folk remedy, and rosehip-derived materials have been adopted in modern cosmetics as conditioning botanicals.
Questions everyone asks
Is this the same as rosehip oil?
No. This is a water- or solvent-based fruit extract, distinct from the pressed seed oil sold as rosehip oil, though both come from the same plant.
What does it do in a formula?
It acts as a skin-conditioning and antioxidant botanical, typically at low levels.