A question that many people ask themselves before using rosehip oil for the first time is: does rosehip oil clog pores? There are some misconceptions about this popular oil and its effects on acne, oily skin, and clogged pores.
In this post we will explore what rosehip oil is, how it can help your skin in many ways (including preventative measures), and whether or not rosehip oil clogs pores and causes acne.
This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.
What is Rosehip Oil?
Rosehip oil, or rosehip seed oil, is an oil obtained from the rose plant. The fruit and seeds of the rose plant, most often the Rosa canina L. or R. rubiginosa L. varieties, are pressed to extract their nutritious oils.
These oils are rich in unsaturated essential fatty acids that are important for maintaining healthy-looking skin!
The breakout of fatty acid composition of rosehip oil is as follows:
- Linoleic Acid (omega-6): 35.9–54.8%
- Alpha-linolenic Acid (omega-3): 16.6–26.5%
- Oleic Acid (omega-9): 14.7–22.1%
The highest concentration of fatty acids is linoleic acid. This fatty acid is lighter and thinner than other fatty acids like oleic acid. Interestingly, individuals with acne have lower levels of linoleic acid in their skin’s lipids, which can be one reason why they experience acne and clogged pores.
Rosehip seed oil is also rich in antioxidants, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits and protect against environmental aggressors like pollution and oxidative stress.
Does Rosehip Oil Clog Pores?
When choosing a skincare product to use on your face, you want something moisturizing and gentle that won’t clog pores.
Rosehip oil checks all of the boxes! Rosehip oil is a non comedogenic oil, which means that rosehip oil won’t clog pores.
Rosehip oil also helps to regulate sebum production, which means that there is less chance of future breakouts so you’re able to keep your natural oils under control.
The Benefits of Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil has many other benefits for the skin in addition to not clogging pores. It can be used to help reduce the look of wrinkles, stretch marks, and more!
It has also been shown to help heal wounds as well as reduce inflammation which means it’s good for scarring too.
The benefits of rosehip oil for the skin include:
- Fights Acne: Rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which help it reduce inflammation. It also contains vitamin A to help regulate sebum production.
- Noncomedogenic: Rosehip oil is lightweight and won’t clog your pores.
- Moisturizing: Because this oil is rich in essential fatty acids, rosehip oil can create a barrier on your skin that locks moisture in and prevents dryness, making rosehip oil ideal for those with mature or dry skin.
- Reduces the Look of Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Over time, restorative Vitamins A and C plus soothing vitamin E in rosehip oil will help to reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines and support collagen formation.
- Fades Discoloration: if you have dark spots and discoloration, this product can help to lighten it over time thanks to its vitamins A and C content. It also naturally evens out skin tone by reducing redness and inflammation.
- Reduces the Look of Acne Scars: Helps with acne scarring due to its Vitamin A content and heal wounds as well as reduces inflammation, which are both important factors in scarring.
- Non-Irritating: Rosehip oil contains no strong fragrances or other potentially irritating ingredients. Please note that rosehip oil has a natural and faint earthy scent, which the brand Trilogy (see their organic rosehip oil below) describes as slightly woody.
- Reduces Redness and Irritation: Vitamin A and essential fatty acids in rosehip oil help soothe irritated skin caused by acne or rosacea.
- Contains Antioxidants: Rosehip oil is high in antioxidants which helps reduce inflammation while fighting against free radicals that cause premature aging.
How to Avoid Clogged Pores
To avoid clogged pores, consider washing your face every day with a mild cleanser like one from CeraVe.
You also may want to use an exfoliating mask or facial scrub on the areas of your face that are more oily as build-up of dead skin cells can contribute to clogged pores.
To avoid clogged pores, look for skincare treatments that contain the following ingredients: glycolic acid, AHA (alpha hydroxy acids), lactic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, and sulfur.
Mild chemical peels are another way to remove dead cells from the outer layer of skin which helps maintain balance in sebum production.
Related Post: Is Cetaphil Good For Acne?
How to Apply Rosehip Oil
The best way to use rosehip oil is by applying a couple of drops to your palm and then pressing it evenly all over your face.
Gently massage in circular motions for about one minute before bedtime after an evening moisturizer. Follow with SPF if you’re going out during the day.
You can also mix two drops of rosehip oil with your favorite serum or moisturizer as well.
Related Post: The Best Korean Mineral Sunscreens
Is Rosehip Oil Good For Oily and Acne Prone Skin?
Rosehip oil is good for oily skin because it is non-comedogenic which means that doesn’t clog pores or cause acne breakouts.
It also helps to regulate sebum production and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which can help with acne
Oily skin types would benefit from rosehip oil because it absorbs quickly and moisturizes the skin without feeling greasy
But keep in mind that rosehip oil is occlusive in that it will form a barrier on the skin that may make acne worse for some.
If your face breaks out even with a non-comedogenic formula like rosehip oil?
Since rosehip oil is not an acne treatment, it is important to use rosehip oil in conjunction with a topical product containing benzoyl peroxide or a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) product like salicylic acid that is formulated to help reduce acne and breakouts.
You also might want to try using an AHA product. AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) work on the surface level to sweep away dead skin cells, dirt, and debris which can clog pores and lead to acne and breakouts.
Related Post: Can You Use Salicylic Acid with Niacinamide?
Affordable Rosehip Facial Oils
All of the following rosehip oils are lightweight but very nourishing. They aren’t greasy either, which makes them ideal for use not only in the evening but also during the day under makeup.
Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is a global bestseller, even reportedly a favorite of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
This 100% organic rosehip oil is formulated with a minimum of 80% essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) and fatty acid (omega-9) content.
This multi-benefit oil moisturizes oily and acne-prone skin (and all other skin types) plus it helps to reduce the look of scars, stretch marks, and pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
This 100% Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil can also be used on the body to hydrate and nourish the skin. Use 2-3 drops on your face (or more if using on your body), or mix 1-2 drops into your moisturizer.
Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+
If you want a supercharged organic rosehip oil, Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+, winner of Allure’s Clean Beauty 2020 Face Oil, is a certified organic oil infused with antioxidants.
Trilogy’s Rosapene complex combines organic rosehip oil with acai, tomato seed, and cranberry antioxidants.
Skin is moisturized, the skin barrier is protected and skin gets a boost in elasticity, brightness, and more even skin tone with these super antioxidants.
Acure The Essentials Rosehip Oil
Acure The Essentials Rosehip Oil is made from cold pressed rosehip seeds (hips), to create a nourishing dry oil that absorbs into the skin quickly.
100% vegan Organic Rosa Canino (Rosehip) Fruit Oil is the only ingredient so it contains no artificial preservatives or fragrances.
This oil provides omega-rich essential fatty acids to balance the skin and reduce redness and inflammation. It also strengthens skin elasticity and reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines and improves cell renewal.
It also offers various antioxidant benefits that can help protect your skin against damage caused by UV exposure.
This organic oil, which is good for all skin types, comes in a pump, which makes dispensing a few drops convenient and mess-free.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is organic and cold-pressed, which helps preserve the quality of the oil.
The high omega fatty acid concentration contributes to the natural scent of the unrefined refined oil.
This oil contains Rosa Canina Seed Oil. It is a non-comedogenic oil that is an excellent non-greasy oil for oily skin that will provide a lightweight, dewy glow.
It contains high amounts of vitamin A, which helps keep the skin healthy and helps to reduce the signs of photoaging like wrinkles and fine lines, and a lack of elasticity.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is an affordable option when looking for a pure rose hip seed oil without any added ingredients, which also makes it great for those with sensitive skin who are looking to avoid irritating ingredients in their skincare routine.
Related Post: The Ordinary “B” Oil Review
Alternatives to Rosehip Oil for Oily Skin
One of the best oils for oily skin is rosehip oil because it doesn’t clog pores, it is an anti-inflammatory and helps to regulate sebum production.
That being said, if your skin does break out from rosehip oil, there are other options.
You’ll see that all of these alternatives are noncomedogenic and contain higher amounts of linoleic acid, which has been shown to be lacking in those with acne and breakouts, which can lead to clogged pores.
Alternatives to rosehip oil for oily skin include:
- Argan Oil: High in linoleic acid, and non-comedogenic, argan oil has antimicrobial properties and a high content of antioxidants which will help fight acne by reducing inflammation.
- Grapeseed Oil: High in linoleic acid and non-comedogenic, grapeseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help with redness from acne and breakouts. It’s rich in antioxidants that can help improve the look of post-acne marks.
- Sunflower Oil: High in linoleic acid and non-comedogenic, this oil is lightweight and rich in protective and reparative antioxidants.
- Hemp Seed Oil: High in linoleic acid, is non-comedogenic, and can help to regulate sebum production in oily and acne-prone skin. Plus, it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
- Squalane: Squalene (with an e) is a naturally occurring organic compound in the skin that is produced by our sebaceous glands to moisturize and protect the skin. Since it is unstable and would oxide when exposed to air, for cosmetic purposes, it undergoes hydrogenation to make it squalane (with an a). Squalane oil helps skin retain moisture and is very lightweight. It regulates sebum production as it mimics the sebum in our skin, and is non-comedogenic.
For oily skin, it’s a good idea to avoid comedogenic oils and butters that rate high on the comedogenic scale, like coconut oil, marula oil, and cocoa butter, which may clog pores and cause breakouts.
Related Post: Is Hyaluronic Acid Good For Acne?
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Does Rosehip Oil Cause Acne?
Many people are worried that using rosehip oil will make their acne worse, but rosehip oil’s high linoleic acid content, plus its anti-inflammatory and non-comedogenic properties make rosehip oil unlikely to cause acne.
What Does Rosehip Oil Do For Your Skin?
Rosehip oil is noncomedogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It moisturizes and protects the skin barrier. Rosehip oil contains antioxidants to protect, repair, and soothe the skin. It also helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and scars due to its Vitamin A content.
Is Rosehip Oil Good for Sensitive Skin?
Yes, rosehip oil is gentle enough for sensitive skin because it doesn’t clog pores and contains no strong fragrances or potentially irritating compounds. It’s a great moisturizer that can be mixed with other oils to create the perfect blend depending on your specific needs.
What to Look for When Buying Rose Hip Seed Oil?
Look at rosehip oil color, clarity, and smell. In general, pure rosehip oils should be clear with a yellow tint. Although rosehip seed oil has a natural woody scent, it should also lack any strong odors which can indicate rancidity.
How Long Does Rose Hip Oil Last?
You’ll want to store rosehip seed oil in a cool dark place since rosehip oil tends to have shorter expiration dates than other types of oils like coconut oil. Plan to use your rosehip oil within about 3-6 months of opening, since oils high in linoleic acid tend to have a shorter shelf life.
Is Rosehip Oil Good for Acne Scars?
Rosehip oil is one of the best oils for acne scars because it helps to fade them over time. Rosehip oil contains vitamins A, C, and E which help to improve the look of scars by reducing inflammation, redness, dryness, & hyperpigmentation. Speak to a dermatologist for the best acne scar treatment for your skin.
How Long Does It Take Rosehip Oil To Fade Scars?
Unfortunately, there’s not a single answer. It depends on a variety of factors, such as how old the scar is, the size and type of scar. It won’t happen overnight, so be prepared for it to take weeks to months to see an improvement.
Final Thoughts on Rosehip Oil and Clogged Pores
Rosehip oil is a great alternative for those who are oily, acne prone, or sensitive, or want to add an all-natural product into their skin care routine because it contains all the necessary fatty acids as well as vitamins A, C, and E which help regenerate skin cells.
If you’re interested in trying out rosehip oil but worried about whether or not it will break your skin out, take some time to test rosehip oil on your skin to see if you see the results you are looking for.
If you have acne, it can be tempting to purchase any facial oil or skincare product that promises to heal since some skin products claim they were designed for acne-prone skin.
The truth is there are many different causes of acne, so it may take time before you find your perfect product.
I hope you found this helpful! Until next time, here’s to your good skin health!