Aromatherapy and Rosehip Seed - Nature's Answer for Natural Beauty

The use of Rosehip seed oil alone or in cosmetic preparations has become extremely common due to this magical oil's effective skin and beauty care properties. The luscious reddish oil has been heralded as a miracle cure for a myriad of skin conditions in. What really is this wonderful liquid, and can it work it's natural-beauty wonders for you?

Rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seed of a wild rose bush native to higher regions of Chile. The plant is now cultivated elsewhere in South America, with many countries producing the oil as it's popularity has increased significantly over the last several years.

Rosehip seed oil is produced via solvent extraction or pressing of the seed. The cold-pressed oil is the closest to nature and likely the healthiest variety - it has a high essential fatty acid content, and is considered more delicate than other common seed and nut oils. Because of it's delicate nature, Rosehip seed oil should be refrigerated, or at least kept in a dark, cool place, and used within one year of purchase.

The oil is one of nature's best sources of vitamins E and A. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A, which has been used for years as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to speed the time it takes for your skin to regenerate. Rosehip seed oil has been studied for many of the same actions attributed to this pharmaceutical preparation, and has been shown effective without side effects that the man-made version may have.

The first major study on rosehip seed oil was performed in 1983 by a team of researchers at the University of Santiago, Chile. The study's participants included individuals with diverse forms of skin damage: deep wrinkles and other premature aging, UV damage, radiation damage, acne scarring, burn scarring, dermatitis, and other problems of this type. Rosehip seed oil was shown to have significant, noticeable effects in regenerating the skin, reducing wrinkles and scars, and helping the skin to regain its natural color and tone.

A separate investigation was performed on women with noticeable premature aging of their skin. As before, rosehip seed oil has a major, positive impact on the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots after daily application for four months. Research has continued on the oil, with one study noting: "After 16 weeks of treatment, wrinkles and spots become imperceptible."

Besides its regenerative properties, rosehip seed oil is also an excellent moisturizer. This is most likely due to its high essential fatty acid content (fatty acids that the body cannot produce itself), which are necessary for healthy skin. The oil penetrates the upper layers of the skin quickly and, being known as a 'dry' moisturizer, does not leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.

As for daily use of rosehip seed oil, it is considered extremely gentle and can be applied undiluted to the skin. It may also be blended with other oils like Hazelnut, Hemp or Avocado oil, and will still have wonderful effects at 10% of the total concentration. Further, rosehip seed oil makes an excellent carrier oil for aromatherapy - blends with essential oils having skin regenerative and soothing properties are highly recommended.

To further enhance the effects of Rosehip seed, essential oils can be added. Helichrysum Italicum, Lavender, and Carrot Seed oils are highly effective additions. Helichrysum is the premier essential oil for regenerating the skin, Lavender does the same with a very soothing and anti-inflammatory action, and Carrot Seed oil will bring hydration to dry and prematurely aging skin. Add essential oils to Rosehip seed at concentrations anywhere between 1% and 5%.

Using rosehip seed oil for healing your skin or just giving it a little needed nourishment will almost certainly produce positive, noticeable effects. This fantastic oil, with its wonderful range of uses, will likely take an important place in your natural beauty collection.

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More information on using pure therapeutic grade essential oils is available online at The Ananda Apothecary.