Here’s why rosehip oil is bad for acne-prone skin

Oils are definitely a hot topic in the skin care world.

Some prefer to avoid them. others embrace them.

However, there is one topic that has led to a particularly animated debate among experts – whether or not they are good when it comes to blemish-prone skin.

In particular, rosehip oil has been extensively researched for its wound healing and antioxidant properties.

With that being said, is it safe to assume that it can help calm inflammatory reactions like acne breakouts?

That’s what I’ll cover in this post, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s the TLDR version of my answer:

What is rosehip oil?

Rosehip oil comes from its plants Rosaceae family. It goes by many names, including rose oil, rose seed oil, and rose oil.

Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruits and seeds of the wild rose bush.

Now, if you start digging a little deeper into the subject of rosehip oil, you will see that there are many types of rosehip and it is confusing to know what the differences and similarities are.

However, there are two main types of rosehip oil used in skin care products: Rosa Canina and Rosa Rubiginosa.

Rosehip oil, extracted from the Rosa Canina plant, is known for its numerous health benefits and is cultivated in various regions around the world, including South Africa, Europe and North America.

Historically, rosehip has been a staple in folk medicine, offering remedies for a wide range of ailments.

Rich in essential nutrients, rosehips have demonstrated prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against common colds, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal problems and inflammatory conditions.

While both Rosa Rubiginosa and Rosa Canina are sources of rosehip oil, they show slight differences in oil content and composition.

Generally, Rosa Rubiginosa is considered higher quality because of its enriched essential fatty acid content, surpassing that of Rosa Canina.

This distinction is especially important for those with acne-prone skin.

Rosa Rubiginosa has a more favorable linoleic-oleic acid ratio. Linoleic acid is known for its acne-fighting properties, while oleic acid can potentially worsen acne problems.

Ensuring a balanced ratio helps manage acne-prone skin more effectively.

Is Rosehip Oil Good For Skin?

Rosehip oil contains a high amount of linoleic acidan omega-6 fatty acid and among the essential fatty acids our skin needs to stay nourished and soft.

It also contains antioxidants such as carotenoids (which is a precursor to vitamin A) and tocopherols, abundant in vitamin E and the main fat-soluble antioxidants in our skin.

The effects of vitamins A and E can increase cell turnover and to some extent repair skin damage caused by the sun.

In addition, rosehip oil can help eliminate the signs of flaky, dehydrated skin and play a role in maintaining the appearance of skin.

There is a common misconception that rosehip oil contains vitamin C just like the fruit itself, however, this is not true because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so it is not contained in the oil.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant responsible for providing benefits to the skin, such as supporting collagen production, while rosehip oil has not been shown to do this.

The antioxidant and regenerative properties of the oil come from the oil-soluble tocopherols (vitamin E) and carotenoids (provitamin A).

Is rosehip oil good for acne?

The only reason for this is that you have to experiment and hope it works for you.

Due to the clogging nature of oils, rosehip oil can also create an oily barrier on your skin that will make it look oily and can potentially make your pimples worse by clogging your pores.

Acne develops when the pores in your skin become clogged with excess sebum and a mixture of accumulated dead skin cells and white blood cells.

The mixture of oil, dead skin cells and white blood cells creates a perfect airless environment for acne bacteria to grow and thrive, which essentially leads to breakouts.

Now, imagine applying an extra layer of oil over that congestion, regardless of type.

Oils create an occlusive barrier on our skin, preventing natural oil from flowing freely and essentially compressing dead skin cells deeper into the pore and preventing their natural shedding.

While in some cases, rosehip oil can help soothe the inflammation that accompanies acne, in others, it can only make the problem worse.

Does rosehip oil have any side effects?

Serious side effects of topical rosehip oil are rare. although an allergic reaction is possible as with anything.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash or hives, wheezing, watery eyes, chest discomfort and dizziness.

Rosehip oil will cause you the least problems if your skin is dry and can really provide you with the benefits of nourishing and softening your skin.

However, if you have oily skin or suffer from acne…

Rosehip oil does not offer any benefits to help clear up your acne other than temporarily soothing the inflammation.

Moreover; yes, it can potentially contribute to clogged pores and future acne breakouts.

Which oils are best for acne-prone skin?

I know a lot of people will find me saying this, however…

I firmly believe that there is no best oil for acne prone skin.

Oils contain essential fatty acids that are great for skin types that can tolerate them and benefit from these ingredients.

They can soften the skin and give a nice and healthy glow to skin types that are not prone to congestion and breakouts.

However, the most important thing here is that we don’t need to add oils to our skin care routine to hydrate and moisturize the skin.

Our skin is perfectly lubricated by the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands, while also receiving hydration and nourishment from its deeper layers.

Additionally, using beneficial ingredients known as humectants and emollients can help your skin retain moisture and keep it hydrated.

Oils, on the other hand, are known as occlusives.

Therefore, they do not have the same action.

So having hydrated skin and soft skin should not be confused as there are much more sophisticated ways to deeply hydrate your skin than applying potentially harmful oils.

Even natural oils like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, and almond oil can cause significant clogging and possible long-term skin damage.

In closing, I would like to say that while rosehip oil for acne is definitely not the worst thing I’ve heard about various ingredients used in skin care products…

we discovered that it can (contrary to popular belief) contribute to worsening acne!

So switching to more beneficial and proven ingredients like salicylic acid is always the best option in my humble opinion.

My name is Simone and I am a board certified dermatologist. I created this site to teach my readers how to take great care of their skin and I also like to occasionally share my honest opinions on skin care products I’ve tried. You can learn more about me here.

The Acne Solution: Your Ultimate Guide to Flawless Skin

An extensive, no nonsense course it shows you how to never get acne againby a licensed Esthetician specializing in oily/acne-prone skin;.