Cheat sheet Rose oil +rosehip

It smells so good! Surely it is good, asks

The origin

Rose (essential) oil comes from the petals of the rose and during steam distillation, rosewater is also created, containing 10-50 per cent rose oil. Rosehip oil is cold-pressed from the fruit of wild roses.

The buzz

One of Cleopatra’s beauty secrets was cleansing with rosewater. Now, rosewater, rose oil and rosehip oil are having a big beauty moment. Julia Roberts’ skin was prepped with Lancôme’s latest rose oilenriched Absolue Rich Cream, $420, at the Oscars. Keira Knightley slathers on rosehip oil before flying, and Rose Byrne applies it before bed. Rosehip is even found in skin supplements, too.

The science

Rose oil was found in a 2017 review to have analgesic, antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties – it reduced period pain when used in massage therapy and induced relaxation when inhaled. Rosehip oil was found in 2017 to be antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which may slow skin ageing.

The advice

“Rosehip oil is good for pigmentation issues, scars and fine lines,” says Dr Hope Dinh, of Hope Dermatology. “This is because, in addition to moisturising omega-6 essential fatty acids and antioxidants, it also contains vitamins A and C which help to increase cell turnover; producing a retinol-like effect.” Spot sufferers can use it too. In fact, adds Dinh, “Rosehip oil can help with acne due to its high concentration of linoleic acid, allowing for an antiinflammatory effect.” Remember, only rosehip oil can be used neat on skin – rose oil must be mixed into a cream or carrier.