Rosehips
Rosa canina
The fruit of wild roses such as the dog rose, rich in vitamin C. Rosehip seed oil and powder have been studied for scars and wrinkles in small trials.
What is Rosehips?
- Plant family
- Rosaceae, the rose family
- Parts used
- The fruit (hips) and the oil pressed from the seeds
- Genus
- Rosa
- Species
- canina
Also called
Rosehip, Rose Hip, Dog Rose, Rosehip Seed Oil
Traditionally used for
- Scars
- Wrinkles
- Skin care
- Vitamin C
Traditionally described as
- Antioxidant
Health topics
Where Rosehips appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Scars, Wrinkles and Skin Aging
Small trials found rosehip seed oil improved surgical scars and rosehip powder reduced crow's feet wrinkles.
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Rosehips, the fruit of wild roses, have traditionally been used as herbal remedies for many disorders. They contain vitamins A, B, C and E, and are especially rich in vitamin C. The dog rose (Rosa canina) is the most studied species.[1]
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In lab and animal studies, rosehip extracts showed antioxidant activity and slowed the growth of bacteria linked to acne and skin infections. In animals, a related rose species eased signs of eczema (atopic dermatitis).[1]
Research in people
In an 8-week trial, 34 adults aged 35 to 65 took 45 g of rosehip powder a day or a comparison. Crow's feet wrinkles were significantly reduced, and skin moisture and elasticity improved.[1]
Technical detail: randomized, double-blind; Hyben Vital rose hip powder (Phetcharat et al. 2015).
In a study of 108 people with scars after surgery, rosehip seed oil applied twice a day for 12 weeks improved scar color, discoloration and sunken (atrophic) scars.[1]
Technical detail: comparative, single-center, prospective, double-blind; Repavar rosehip seed oil (Valerón-Almazán et al. 2015); assessed at 6 and 12 weeks.
In short
Research on skin use is limited to small studies.
Sources
- [1] Unveiling the mechanisms for the development of rosehip-based dermatological products: an updated review — Frontiers in Pharmacology · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1390419Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.