Latinas have been using rose hip oil (rosa mosqueta) before it was a thing. My abuelitas and tias would rave about its beauty benefits. It's been part of my beauty routine ever since I started using it religiously shortly after my appendix was removed three years ago. You can HARDLY see my scars today! Here's a breakdown of rosa mosqueta's beauty benefits.
Read more ¿Qué más?: How coconut oil can protect your hair before you bleach it
Image via iStock
It’s a great cleanser
“Most oils are too oily for cleansing, including the much touted coconut oil,” says Janice Rosenthal, a certified massage therapist and lecturer in holistic living. “The reason why rose hip oil works perfectly as a cleanser is because it’s one of the few oils known to leave no oily residue, while simultaneously providing a mild exfoliation.” It’s lightweight enough to not clog pores but moisturizing enough to not leave skin dried out.
It deeply moisturizes
Rose hip seed oil contains essential fatty acids that the body can’t produce on it’s own,” says Clara Williams, founder of Cultivar, a natural skincare company. “These essential fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6, do a fantastic job of keeping skin soft and supple."You can layer it under your moisturizer like you would a serum to help lock in moisture.
It fights aging
“It fights aging though it’s vitamin C antioxidant ingredient,” says Tammie Umbel from Shea Terra Organics. “Vitamin C has been shown through studies to fight free radical skin damage and to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles through collagen production.”
It heals burns and scars
“The trans-retinoic acid in rosehip seed oil helps your skin to produce more healthy skin cells,” says Williams, who recommends creating a mixture of vitamin E, combined with rosehip seed oil and shea butter as a salve for burns and scars.
It evens skin tone
“The beta-carotene in rosehip seed oil is extremely effective in minimizing the effects of hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin), says Williams who recommends using it in conjunction with rose oil or palmarosa to help minimize red tones in the skin. “The vitamin A it contains, which is in the form of trans-retinoic acid gently peels off any rough, damaged, or pigmented tissue.”
It keeps hair healthy
“Because rosehip seed oil is so lightweight and absorbs so quickly, it can be used on dry, flaky scalps,” says Williams. “Using small amount of rosehip seed oil on hair will help to seal in moisture so that hair will look and feel softer without feeling greasy.”
