Rosehip seed oil is believed to be the best oil available for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation and has been used by Andean Indians of Chile for centuries due to its healing benefits to the skin.
Rosehip seed oil is a luxurious, dry oil used for the treatment of wrinkles, scars and inflamed skin that leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and never greasy. This “miracle oil” is extracted from the seeds of the wild thorny rose bush which is native to Chile and can be either solvent extracted or “cold-pressed”.
Cold-pressed oil has a high content of essential unsaturated fatty acids that our bodies can not reproduce such as oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids and is considered more delicate than other seed oils. Due to its fragile nature, rosehip seed oil should be kept in a cool, dark place and used within one year of purchase.
Rosehip seed oil is an excellent source of natural vitamin E and natural vitamin A, also called, “trans-retinoic acid”. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A or Tretinoin. (Chemically derived forms of retinoic acid)
Synthetic Tretinoin is a very strong chemical substance with possible negative side effects and should only be used under a board certified physician. Rosehip Seed Oil, however, produces all the benefits of Tretinoin, but without the undesirable effects since it is in a natural state as part of a complex system of unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, its action is controlled and slowly released by nature, eliminating the rash of overdoses.
Retin-A has been referred to as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to increase skin cell turnover and speed up cell regeneration. Rosehip seed oil has been extensively studied for many of the same functions attributed to Retin-A, and has been shown as effective as the chemically formed, Retin-A but without Retin-A’s harsh side effects including over-drying and peeling of the skin. (Note: Unlike Retin-A, rosehip seed oil is not a treatment for acne).
Rosehip seed clinical studies
The first major validation of the healing and regenerative effects of Rosehip seed oil was in 1983, when the University of Santiago conducted studies on 180 people. These study participants all suffered with extensive facial scarring, acne scarring, deep wrinkles, UV damage, radiation damage, burn scars, surgical scars, premature aging, dermatitis, and/or other skin related problems. The results were extremely positive and demonstrated Rosehip seed oil’s ability to regenerate the skin, reduce scars and wrinkles, prevent the advancement of wrinkles and aging, and help skin to regain its natural color and tone.
Another highly regarded study was conducted in 1988 on twenty women between the ages of 25 and 35 that spend the 3 months of summer in resorts by the sea or visit the beach on a daily basis. Each of these twenty women had extensive premature aging to their skin including wrinkles and sun spots from overexposure to the sun.
After four months of applying rosehip seed oil daily, their wrinkles and sun spots had almost completely disappeared, and the skin had a fresher and healthier look.
The following paragraphs are extracts from a scientific research paper written by Dr. Bertha Pareja, Principal Professor, Faculty of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru and Dr. Horst Kehl, from the School of Pharmacology of the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
ROSE HIP OIL APPLICATION ON AGED SKIN (PHOTOAGING)
Changes produced on skin by the action of the sun, i.e., photoaging (dermatoheliosis) are very common in all countries of warm climate. Exposure to sun causes important morfological changes in skin. Dermatoheliosis appears in different ways and varying intensity ranging from surface wrinkles, active keratosis and variation in the distribution of the melanin granules.
For this test volunteers were selected among people who usually spend the 3 months of summer in resorts by the sea or who go to the beach every day. The tests were carried out on 20 women aged between 25 and 35 who were controlled and assessed during the summer of 1988. The most frequently noted cutaneous signs were surface wrinkles, brown spots, eyelids and, in some cases, only an intense tan. All applied rose hip oil on the face during four months (May to August, Autumn 1988).
Observations were made every eight days. Significant changes were noted starting on the third week. Firstly, surface wrinkles started to disappear, spots started to fade until, at the end of the fourth month, the disappearance was almost complete. Skin presented a smooth and fresh aspect and the spots had almost disappeared.
ROSE HIP OIL APPLICATION ON SURGICAL SCARS
For this test we used scars that had equal features. Ten women, aged between 45 and 68, were selected who had suffered unilateral or bilateral mastectomy.
Applications of rose hip oil were made, starting on the day when the surgical stitches were removed. After washing the area with tepid water and soap and careful drying, the oil was applied by soft massage. After three months of applying twice daily (morning and evening) it was noted that the scars were less apparent, without lumps and that skin elasticity had improved and the color of the area had improved significantly.
We carried out these observations for four months after the operations and the treating doctors indicated that the skin conditions were improving considerably, allowing implantation of prosthesis or plastic surgery in far better conditions than with patients who had not been treated.
Scars are a permanent visible reminder of a significant event in a person's life and can be a reminder of an unhappy or bad experience. Though there are many different techniques to lessen the visibility of scar tissues, including cosmetic surgery, pressure garments, the use of locally injected steroids and silicone gel sheets, Rose Hip Oil offers a simple, inexpensive, non-invasive alternative for greatly diminishing disfiguring scars.
Scars become softer and less prominent with continued daily use; scars, pits and blemishes (even such acne scars). The area of scar treatment is one where Rose Hip Oil has had immense success.
Source of topical trans-retinoic acid (vitamin A) in a natural bio-available form. Regenerates damaged skin: improves blood irrigation. Increases the epidermis regeneration and the capacity to produce new tissue as a consequence of an acceleration of the differentiation of the keratin.
end of scientific study excerpt
Today, rosehip seed oil is exported around the world, and is used by the medical community, as well as in fine facial and cosmetic care products.
Rosehip is a recommended treatment for the following skin conditions:
- Stretch marks
- UV damage from overexposure to the sun
- Scars from surgery, burns, and acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Wrinkles and premature skin aging
- Hyper-pigmentation
- Dermatitis
- Burns, including those from radiation and sunburns
- Age spots
- Brittle nails
- Dry and damaged hair
Click here to read a testimonial from an Atlanta woman suffering from Rosacea that experienced phenominal results in just one week using Rosehip seed oil.
Additional information on rosehip seed oil during pregnancy from Livestrong.com click here
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