Over the years, many of you have told me that this Rosehip Facial Moisturizer is one of my favorites. Rosehip Seed Oil is amazing for the skin, especially for anyone who wants to restore or protect the skin barrier as they age. I started experimenting more with rosehip and created this anti-aging face serum with rosehip. It’s easy to apply and even easier to make!
There’s something special about creating your own skincare. Not only do you know exactly what’s in it, but you can also tailor the ingredients to your exact needs. I love this rosehip facial serum because it’s silky, lightweight and leaves my skin glowing without feeling oily. Over time, it can even help improve tone, texture and hydration. Plus, it naturally supports our collagen production.
Rosehip seed oil is a powerful source of antioxidants and nutrients beneficial to the skin. Combined with other oils like evening primrose, sea buckthorn and apricot kernel, this serum delivers a concentrated dose of fatty acids and vitamins for glowing skin.
Facial Serum Skin Ingredients
Each oil in this blend plays a unique role in promoting a balanced complexion, improving texture and protecting the skin’s natural barrier. Together, they create a deeply nourishing repair serum that softens fine lines and helps prevent new ones from appearing.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is the star of this blend. It is pressed from wild rosehip seeds and has been used for centuries for healing and regenerative skin care. Rosehip oil is rich in both linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), which promote skin repair, elasticity and hydration.
It is also rich in vitamins, including the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A (in the form of trans-retinoic acid) supports collagen production and cell turnover, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots over time. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps brighten the skin and protect it from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E nourishes cells and helps strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier, keeping moisture in and eliminating environmental stress.
Rosehip oil also contains carotenoids like lycopene and beta-carotene, which give it a rich color. The darker the color, the more antioxidants it contains. These compounds help even skin tone, fade hyperpigmentation, and improve texture. Thanks to its tannin content, rosehip oil has a drier, non-greasy finish that absorbs beautifully. I particularly like it for oily or combination skin. Research shows that rosehip seed oil is helpful in reducing scars, softening fine lines, and improving overall skin elasticity.
Evening primrose (or borage) oil
Evening primrose and borage oils are excellent sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a rare omega-6 fatty acid that plays an essential role in maintaining skin health. GLA supports the skin’s barrier function and helps prevent water loss so the skin can better retain moisture.
As we age, our skin naturally produces less GLA, which can lead to dryness, sensitivity and a rougher texture. The use of oils rich in GLA helps restore softness and elasticity to the skin. These oils are also naturally soothing, helping to calm irritation and redness. For mature or stressed skin, they can help regain suppleness and elasticity while providing a silky finish.
Sea buckthorn oil (or macadamia nut)
Sea buckthorn oil is one of the most nutrient-dense botanical oils you can use on your skin. It contains a rare balance of omega-3, 6, 7 and 9 fatty acids, as well as an impressive array of antioxidants and vitamins. Palmitoleic acid (omega-7) is particularly beneficial. This omega fatty acid helps repair the skin barrier, supports collagen synthesis and protects against environmental damage, including excessive sun exposure.
Sea buckthorn oil’s deep orange color comes from high levels of beta-carotene, lycopene, and tocopherols (vitamin E compounds). These help neutralize free radicals and improve overall skin tone. Studies show that sea buckthorn can improve skin hydration and elasticity and reduce inflammation.
If you substitute macadamia nut oil, you’ll still get plenty of palmitoleic acid and a deeply hydrating effect. Macadamia oil helps our skin at the cellular level and maintains the lipid barrier for more hydration and skin regeneration.
Olive oil and other carrier oils
Olive oil serves as the base for this serum, rounding out the mixture and helping it distribute evenly across the skin. It is rich in squalene, a natural lipid that mimics the skin’s moisturizing compounds. Olive oil also contains vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as antioxidant polyphenols that help reduce oxidative stress.
If your skin tends to be normal to oily, apricot kernel or jojoba oil are great alternatives. Both are lighter oils that deeply nourish without feeling heavy. For drier or more mature skin, olive or avocado oil are better options. These carrier oils help balance the astringent nature of rosehip oil while enhancing the overall moisturizing and protective qualities of the blend.
Personally, I loved the apricot kernel oil version when testing it and my skin felt so silky afterward!
Vitamin E
Although this ingredient is optional, vitamin E oil helps prevent other oils from oxidizing and going bad as quickly. It has the same effect on our skin. Vitamin E helps protect skin from free radical damage, reduces inflammation and promotes faster healing. This makes it particularly useful for skin exposed to a lot of sun or wind.
Frankincense essential oil
Another optional ingredient, but worth using! Frankincense essential oil is ideal both for its aroma and its benefits for the skin. It promotes a feeling of calm and concentration, but it is also highly valued for its rejuvenating effects on the skin. Studies show that frankincense can reduce inflammation, promote cell turnover, and even out skin tone. It is also known to fade stretch marks and scars, making it a perfect complement to rosehip seed oil in an anti-aging formula.
Recipe for anti-aging face serum with rosehip
This velvety facial serum leaves skin soft and hydrated without becoming greasy.
Yield: 1 ounce
-
In the dropper bottle, mix all the ingredients except the olive oil.
-
Add just enough olive oil (or other oil of your choice) until the bottle is full, leaving room for the dropper tube.
-
Shake well to combine.
Store in a cool, dry place and apply a few drops to clean skin.
How to use rosehip anti-aging facial serum
This serum has a silky texture that glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly. The combination of rosehip seed oil and sea buckthorn gives it a rich orange color. Although it looks dark in the bottle, I noticed that it fades as it is absorbed into the skin. My skin drinks it in and leaves me soft and hydrated, but not oily. Obviously, if you use olive or avocado oil, you’ll get a richer facial serum that may not penetrate as quickly.
To use, massage a few drops onto clean skin. No need to follow with a moisturizer or lotion. Store facial serum in a cool, dry place for optimal shelf life.
This facial serum is very quick to prepare and I love the way it feels on my skin. I have noticed a smoother texture and more even skin tone since experimenting with it. Combined with the earthy scent of incense, it’s such a calming addition to your daily skincare routine.
What are your favorite natural ways to take care of your skin? Leave a comment and let us know!
