Whether your skincare preferences lean natural or you're just looking for a dose of moisture that won't break you out, plant oils are where it's at. Rosehip oil, in particular, is a favorite among celebs, beauty editors, and dermatologists alike—and for a good reason. "Rosehip oil is a dry oil, meaning it hardens if exposed to air for a long period," says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. "It's great because it is easily absorbed yet doesn't leave that greasy, uncomfortable feeling."
Beyond quenching thirsty skin and offering a dewy glow, this non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory ingredient tackles a slew of skin woes. We're talking eczema, rosacea, breakouts, acne scars, fine lines, and dullness.
Lots of products combine earth-sourced oil with skin-loving vitamins, antioxidants, and humectants. But rosehip is pretty amazing on its own. According to Dr. Engelman, "It contains vitamin C, linoleic acid, oleum acid, lycopene, and retinol."
To find the best on the market, we scoured the Internet for the best blends, choosing our favorites based on their active ingredients, concentration, skin feel, how well they absorb, and value. After consulting experts and narrowing down our top picks, we landed on these top picks.
Our Top Picks
Best Drugstore:
Best Splurge:
Best Organic:
Best Under Makeup:
Best for Sensitive Skin:
Terra Beauty Bars Noite 5 Plant Blend Active Super Seed Elixir at Verishop.com ($48)
Best for Dry Skin:
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/beautybio-the-radiance-brightening-omega---rosehip-seed-facial-oil-bd06b1ff7b0b488e8f51f6451c175f0c.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (1)")
What We Like
Rosehip is the first ingredient
Reduces redness
Targets signs of photoaging
What We Don't Like
Contains synthetic fragrance
To get the full benefit of rosehip, Dr. Engleman says to look for a product that lists it as one of the first few ingredients, like The Radiance from BeautyBio. The number one ingredient is our hero, rosa canina fruit oil, which is packed with skin-loving fatty acids and radiance-boosting antioxidants. Combined with oat oil and ginger root, you have an anti-inflammatory triple-threat of soothing, redness-reducing goodness.
This little tincture also contains rice bran extract, a natural skin plumper shown to smooth uneven texture, minimize the appearance of fine lines, and enhance elasticity. Apply a few drops to cleansed skin once or twice a day, and you'll be on your way to a healthy, radiant, even-toned complexion.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Small amount after cleansing | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the-ordinary-100-organic-cold-pressed-rose-hip-seed-oil-dcca469282ae4a2c989b46c8f5608a52.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (2)")
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Organic
Targets signs of photoaging
What We Don't Like
Small amount
Finicky cap
Rosehip oil typically isn't a particularly expensive ingredient on its own. That's why we appreciate this 100 percent pure, no-nonsense option from The Ordinary. It's organic, cold-pressed, and naturally rich in retinol and essential fatty acids.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops daily | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore
Acure The Essentials Rosehip Oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/acure-the-essentials-rosehip-oil-b1afd7f4de434eea8e4627d35cd3e808.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (3)")
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Pump bottle
USDA certified organic
What We Don't Like
Small amount
Acure makes a great affordable option, too. This underrated drugstore brand's take on rosehip oil is 100 percent pure, cold-pressed, certified organic, and wonderfully lightweight.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Small amount daily | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/herbivore-phoenix-face-oil-f10cf00438b147dd8f2853afa8b2e9ee.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (4)")
What We Like
Calms inflammation
Replenishes skin barrier
Stimulates collagen production
What We Don't Like
Can look orange on fairer skin types
This splurge-worthy golden liquid is worth its weight in gold. Rosehip oil is the second ingredient, right behind jojoba oil, for a one-two punch of soothing, barrier-replenishing benefits. Herbivore Phoenix also contains CoQ10 to even out skin tone and stimulate collagen production.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina seed extract, ubiquinone | Skin Type: Balanced, dry | Dosage: 3 to 10 drops twice daily | Size: 1 oz. or 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pura-dor-organic-rosehip-seed-oil-a07a8c7d6ddf408db785f33e3ec652d5.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (5)")
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Pump bottle
USDA certified organic
What We Don't Like
Strong smell
This generously sized 4-ounce bottle contains nothing more than 100 percent pure, certified organic, cold-pressed rosehip seed oil. We like that it comes in a pump bottle, making it easy to use and a little more sanitary than your typical dropper-style oil.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination | Dosage: 1 pump daily | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/restore-facial-oil-fe2d18cc333c4949929e4686fee62167.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (6)")
What We Like
Calms inflammation
Replenishes skin barrier
Non-comedogenic
What We Don't Like
Small amount
Anne's Apothecary Restore is a superstar facial oil with all the right ingredients. It blends rosehip with a medley of other plant oils, including jojoba and safflower, to reduce inflammation, replenish the skin barrier, and boost elasticity without clogging your pores.
Active Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, rosa canina seed oil | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Dosage: A few drops after cleansing | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rose-gold-elixir-55f5c16ff33c4ccea379d7b81f4e1ff9.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (7)")
Read Full Review: I Tried the Beauty Oil That's Blowing Up on Instagram
What We Like
Versatile formula
Can be mixed with foundation
Targets signs of photoaging
What We Don't Like
Strong smell
Farsáli's Rose Gold Elixir clocked a 5-out-of-5 score from our at-home tester, who said it now holds a permanent place on her vanity. This lightweight, fast-absorbing potion creates a lovely canvas for dewy makeup application. You can also add a drop or two to your foundation to make it more easily spreadable while enhancing your glow.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip seed oil, 24K gold, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Small amount twice daily | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"The oil soothedmy tired skin and offered an intense dose of moisture that lastedfor hours. Just like the day before, it lent my skin a healthy glow, making me slightly less self-conscious about going bare-faced." — Kaitlyn McLintock, Product Tester
Best for Sensitive Skin
Terra Beauty Bars Noite 5 Plant Blend Active Super Seed Elixir
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/terra-beauty-bars-noite-5-plant-blend-active-super-seed-elixir-a0dc6e52755c4ea4bcb71ea1e08c635e.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (8)")
What We Like
Calms inflammation
Lightweight
Sustainable supply chain
What We Don't Like
May be too much for oily skin types
Sensitive skin? Noite is your new best friend. This exceedingly gentle elixir combines rosehip with other anti-inflammatory plant oils, including grape seed, argan, watermelon, and lavender. It soothes reactive complexions and tackles redness while delivering a radiant, healthy-looking glow.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip seed oil, grape seed oil, argan oil | Skin Type: Sensitive | Dosage: 2 to 5 drops after cleansing | Size: 1.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gisou-honey-infused-face-oil-2f42dffe7e9545a7a39c581df13c457a.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (9)")
What We Like
Absorbs quickly
Replenishes the skin barrier
What We Don't Like
Could irritate acne-prone skin
The Gisou Honey Facial Oil was a big hit with our tester. In addition to delivering much-needed moisture to dry skin during the colder months of the year, she appreciated the healing, nourishing effects of honey and propolis.
Active Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, safflower oil, rosehip seed oil | Skin Type: Dry | Dosage: 2 to 3 drops daily | Size: 0.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/blume-meltdown-acne-oil-b4f4bf1f9183492280a8a8ab915dd337.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (10)")
What We Like
Antibacterial
Reduces redness
Calms inflammation
What We Don't Like
Small amount
Blume Meltdown is your best bet in the battle against breakouts. In addition to redness-reducing rosehip, this anti-inflammatory medley calls on black cumin seed and tamanu oils to tackle acne-causing bacteria, while tea tree keeps future breakouts at bay.
Active Ingredients: Black cumin seed oil, rosehip oil | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Dosage: 1 pump after cleansing | Size: 0.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Mature Skin
Grown Alchemist Pure Rosehip Oil Mosqueta
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/grown-alchemist-pure-rosehip-oil-mosqueta-d1474681ad6647deb8861848ad457b2a.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (11)")
What We Like
Firming
Smooths fine lines
Replenishes the skin barrier
What We Don't Like
Small amount
This rosehip oil is sourced from the seeds of rosa mosqueta, a wild rose that grows high up in the Andes Mountains. Offering a natural dose of firming, line-reducing retinol and plumping, replenishing fatty acids, it's a breath of fresh air for mature skin.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip oil | Skin Type: Dry, mature | Dosage: Small amount twice daily | Size: 0.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/urban-hydration-olive--rosehip-face-cleansing-oil--4ec7092210dd4ecab4327630a41c788d.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (12)")
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Gentle formula
Non-drying
What We Don't Like
Strong smell
Rosehip is also great in face washes. This cleansing oil from Urban Hydration combines it with olive oil, fatty acids, and vitamin E to gently clarify the skin and dissolve makeup without drying it out or stripping the barrier.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip oil, olive oil, vitamin E | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Dosage: Small amount twice daily | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/radha-beauty-rosehip-oil-00206143a20445cbaa01703bbf99636a.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (13)")
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Generous amount
USDA certified organic
What We Don't Like
Dropper can be messy
Want to reap the benefits of rosehip from head to toe? This blue bottle has your name on it. The 100 percent pure, certified organic oil is sourced from rosa rubiginosa, a rose species native to Asia and Europe. It's ideal as a whole-body moisturizer, a massage oil, or even as a hair treatment.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip seed oil | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Dosage: Apply evenly as needed | Size: 1 oz. or 16 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Whole-Body
Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kora-organics-noni-glow-body-oil-e40b1529041944aa82de4c3aec41501c.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (14)")
What We Like
Lightweight
Non-greasy
Great smell
What We Don't Like
Reviewers note that the pump can sometimes leak
This is another great pick for the body, as it contains rosehip alongside a blend of other nutrient-rich ingredients to hydrate and tone the skin, such as vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, and sea buckthorn. Reviewers noted that it made their skin look glowy and smooth, and that it can be layered underneath lotion since it's so lightweight.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip oil, noni fruit extract, sunflower seed oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Apply evenly as needed | Size: 3.38 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/briogeo-farewell-frizz-rosehip-argan--coconut-hair-oil-a5cdbed4c366497ab4e998e08b0c9c0f.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (15)")
What We Like
Smooths flyaways
Nourishing
Can use on wet or dry hair
What We Don't Like
Too heavy for fine hair
Briogeo's Farewell Frizz combines rosehip with argan and coconut oils to smooth flyaways and restore dry, brittle hair. You can use it as an overnight treatment or an everyday styler on wet or dry hair.
Active Ingredients: Rosehip, argan, and coconut oils | Hair Type: All | Dosage: A few drops on wet or dry hair | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/huile-vegetale-de-rose-musquee-bio__main__0d4bae62ede14e018f15c9238cec3d63-49a6744e11574e768c51afa8acf7a0a1.jpg "The 16 Best Rosehip Oils for a Radiant Skin Glow (16)")
What We Like
100% naturally derived
Antioxidant-rich formula
Works for face and body
What We Don't Like
Small amount
If you have irritated or inflamed skin, this cold-pressed formula from Typology will work wonders to soothe and hydrate the skin. Its only ingredient is 100% organic naturally-derived rosehip seed oil, so its formula is completely vegan and free of any potential additives. We love that it can be used on the face and the body, and can address skin concerns such as fine lines, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation.
Active Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A few drops after cleansing | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our number one pick is BeautyBio The Radiance, an anti-inflammatory blend of plant oils and extracts that soothes redness, smooths uneven texture, and targets various signs of photoaging. On a budget? You can't go wrong with The Ordinary's 100 percent pure and organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil.
Meet the Expert
- Dendy Engelman, MD FACMS FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Director of Dermatologic Surgery at Metropolitan Hospital.
What to Look for in a Rosehip Oil
Source
When browsing products, you'll want to pay attention to the source of the oil, or more specifically, how it's derived from roses. "Look for rosehip specifically. Rose oil is not the same," says Dr. Engelman. "Rosehip oil is extracted from the fruit seeds of a rose. The fruits are small bulbous plants, and the seeds inside are cold-pressed to extract the oil from the pressure."
Ingredients
You'll find many 100 percent pure rosehip oils, meaning they don't contain any other ingredients (like the Typology Organic Rosehip Botanical Oil). Pure options offer lots of benefits, though there are many excellent blends on the market, too.
Concentration
One thing to keep in mind about oil blends is that you can never be sure exactly how much rosehip oil they contain. If it's the first ingredient listed, then it's the main ingredient, but otherwise, it's hard to discern how much is actually used. "If a product is touting that it is rosehip oil, but you look at the ingredient list, and it is listed near the bottom, then that means it's not one of the main ingredients," says Dr. Engelman. "You won't be getting the same level of benefits if there is not a substantial dose of the oil."
FAQ
What does rosehip oil do?
Rosehip oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, retinol, and antioxidants like vitamin C. It helps heal the skin, fade scars, renew your complexion, minimize the appearance of fine lines, even out skin tone, and is an excellent natural moisturizer.
How do you use rosehip oil?
Many people use it as a final step or underneath their regular moisturizer, but rosehip oil can be applied to the face or body at virtually any step of your routine. Warm a few drops between your fingers, and then gently press or massage it onto your skin or mix it in with some lotion.
Does rosehip oil clog pores?
Rosehip seed oil is a non-comedogenic oil which means it won't clog pores. And since it's a dry oil, it absorbs quickly into the skin.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a contributing writer at Byrdie, where she covers skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness products. For this story, she interviewed a board-certified dermatologist for insight into the benefits, sources, and concentrations of rosehip oil, then referenced several peer-reviewed articles on its therapeutic qualities. As a proponent of facial oils for several years, she has tried a few formulas on this list, including BeautyBio, The Ordinary, Grown Alchemist, and Acure. You can find more of her bylines on MyDomaine and Verywell Health.
