What it is
Rosa canina fruit oil, commonly called rosehip oil, is a lightweight plant oil obtained from the fruit and seeds of the wild dog rose. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acid and is valued as a fast-absorbing emollient that conditions and softens skin. In sunscreens it is included for its nourishing, cosmetic feel rather than for UV protection.
Safety & warnings
Rosehip oil is generally well tolerated and, being high in linoleic acid, is considered relatively low on the comedogenic scale, though very acne-prone users should note it is still a facial oil. As an unsaturated oil it can oxidize over time, so well-preserved, antioxidant-stabilized formulas are preferable.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; a fixed oil cold-pressed or extracted from the fruit and seeds of Rosa canina (dog rose).
History
Rosehip oil has a long history of folk use in South America and elsewhere as a skin-care oil, and it became popular in modern cosmetics as a botanical emollient prized for its fatty-acid content.
Questions everyone asks
Is rosa canina fruit oil the same as rosehip oil?
Yes. It is the oil pressed from the fruit and seeds of the wild dog rose, commonly sold as rosehip seed oil.
Will rosehip oil clog pores?
It is relatively low on the comedogenic scale because it is high in linoleic acid, but it is still a facial oil and very acne-prone users may want to patch test.