Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil — INCI reference

What it is

Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil is obtained from the fruits (hips) of Rosa multiflora, a species of rose native to eastern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. Like other rosehip oils, it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and linolenic acid, as well as oleic acid, which contribute to its skin-softening and barrier-supporting properties. The oil also contains carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenolic compounds including quercetin and tannins that provide antioxidant activity. In cosmetic formulations it functions as an emollient, leaving skin feeling smooth, and may support skin conditioning. Research on related Rosa species rosehip oils indicates benefits for addressing visible signs of photoaging, potentially through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Safety & warnings

Rosa multiflora fruit extract is classified with a potential irritancy hazard (EU classification R 36/37/38 — irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin). As with other plant-derived oils, individuals with known sensitivities to roses or Rosaceae plants should use caution. The oil contains fragrant components and polyphenols that may cause sensitization in susceptible individuals. No specific CIR safety assessment for Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil was identified; safety assessments exist for Rosa canina-derived oils and other Rosa species, which have been found safe in cosmetic use at typical concentrations.

Origin & sourcing

Derived from the small red-to-purple hips (fruits) of Rosa multiflora, a deciduous shrub native to China, Japan, and Korea. The oil is extracted from the fruit, typically by cold pressing or solvent extraction. The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental and is also naturalized in parts of North America and Europe. In Japan, the dried fruits are known as Eijitsu and have traditional uses in herbal medicine.

History

Rosa multiflora has a long history in East Asian herbal medicine, where the dried fruits (called Eijitsu or Rosae fructus in Japanese pharmacopoeia) have been used traditionally as a purgative. The plant was introduced to North America in the 20th century for soil conservation and erosion control, and is now considered an invasive species in many eastern US states. The cosmetic use of oil derived from its fruits follows the broader interest in rose hip oils for skin care that developed significantly from the late 20th century onward.

Questions everyone asks

What is Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil and where does it come from?

It is an oil extracted from the hips (small fruits) of Rosa multiflora, a multi-flowered rose species native to China, Japan, and Korea. The oil is obtained by pressing or extracting the fruit and is used in skin care for its emollient and antioxidant properties.

How does Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil differ from other rosehip oils?

Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil comes from a different rose species than the more common Rosa canina (dog rose) or Rosa rubiginosa rosehip oils, but shares a similar profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Is Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil safe for sensitive skin?

People with known sensitivities to roses or the Rosaceae plant family should patch-test before use. The ingredient carries a potential skin irritation classification in some regulatory databases. As with all botanical oils, individual reactions can vary.

What skin benefits does Rosa Multiflora Fruit Oil provide?

It provides emollient conditioning that helps soften and smooth skin, and contributes antioxidant protection through its content of tocopherols, carotenoids, and polyphenols. Research on related rosa species suggests rosehip oils may help address visible signs of photoaging.