I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my skin for quite some time now. Through my teens, I was #blessed enough to have nearly perfect skin and boy did I take that for granted. In my early 20’s I had a baby and my skin would never be the same again. For years now I have had to deal with both hormonal acne and acne derived from my stomach issues due to food intolerances and every little blemish that graces my face leaves behind a bright red mark, these marks are more stubborn than a Taurus and I can say that because I am one.
So, on my quest for products that would help fade my red acne marks and pigmentation, I discovered Rosehip oil. Though like many other aspects of the beauty industry you really need to know that not all products with the same name are going to give you the same result. Let’s just say that it’s important to know what you’re purchasing before counting on the product to work. So, I had a chat to Ross Macdougald, Cosmetic Chemist and Founder of plant-based skincare brand, Biologi about what you need to know about Rosehip Oil and here’s what he had to say:
“Rosehip Oil seems to be the real deal. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? The short answer is yes, but it depends on what type you’re getting.”- Ross Macdougald.
To understand the different types of Rosehip Oil, let’s firstly start with what Rosehip Oil really is. Also known as Rosehip Seed Oil, it is derived from the seeds of Rosehips, or the little fruit that is left behind once a rose has lost its petals. It is typically extracted using a cold-pressed process, although it has been around long before that kind of technology existed! Used in ancient times by Egyptians for its healing properties, it is a natural wonder that can have a myriad of benefits on the skin. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, Rosehip Oil is a gentle and natural skincare option. The key to getting these amazing benefits is finding the right type of Rosehip Oil. Most people would assume that Rosehip Oil is just Rosehip Oil, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Depending on production processes, there are several different types of Rosehip Oil available on the market. Here are the important things you should consider before making a purchase.
Refined versus unrefined
Choosing an oil that is either refined or unrefined is perhaps one of the most important factors because it essentially states how natural it is. In the most simple terms, a refined oil has been through mechanical processes to remove unwanted odour and colour from the oil, which means it lacks potent nutrients. Whereas, unrefined Rosehip Oil should be cold-pressed, pure and natural, without having undergone any kind of processing. If a Rosehip Oil is refined, unfortunately, this information isn’t as readily available on the packaging.
Colour
Pure, natural Rosehip Oil should be a rich dark yellow/orange colour. If you find a Rosehip Oil that is clear, or lighter in colour, it usually means it has been refined. Brands often do this for a number of reasons but if the oil is on its own, it normally comes down to cost. Pure Rosehip Oil can be on the expensive side so brands will either dilute it with other oils or choose a Rosehip Oil of lesser quality to bring the cost down. If the Rosehip Oil is an ingredient mixed in with other ingredients, sometimes the colour is changed to ensure that the colour of the oil doesn’t change the colour of the final product. Whilst this makes sense from an aesthetic perspective, it doesn’t make sense to refine the oil because this can also change its efficacy.
Smell
Rosehip Oil naturally has a slight earthy smell to it. It does not smell like roses or any other fragrance. Just like plants in nature have an odour, Rosehip Oil does too. Some Rosehip Oil’s on the market have no smell at all. What this means is that it has undergone a refining process to remove the smell, so you’re no longer getting a pure natural version of the oil. So if your Rosehip Oil does smell a little, this is a good thing because it’s likely that you’re getting the oil in its natural state.
Luckily for us, Biologi has just released their own Br Organic Rosehip Oil, which is a high-quality, single-plant ingredient product that is sourced straight from nature. It is the most natural and unrefined Rosehip Oil on the market. Biologi Br Organic Rosehip Oil harnesses the pure power of Rosa canina, rich in natural vitamins and essential fatty acids that promote the skins internal hydration and protective processes to support healthy cellular turnover. Rosa canina seed has been chosen for its regenerative botanical activity which most closely resembles the skin’s fatty acid profile. The potent combination of unaltered fatty acids in Br Oil provides undiluted and unaltered goodness for your skin, straight from the seed of the plant and this oil comes at an extremely affordable price, so it’s a win-win in our books!
To find out more about Biologi or to purchase their new Rosehip Oil, you can check out their website here.