Benefits of Rosehip for hair and skin

Rosehip or Rosa canina is  also called the fruit of the rose and is usually red-orange in color.

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There are 5 distinct species of rosehip namely dog rose (Rosa canina), field rose (Rosa arvensis), sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa), burnet rose (Rosa spinosissima), and downy rose (Rosa villosa). The Rosa canina is the widely known and used species.

Rosehip has been used in ancient Egypt for its medicinal and herbal properties. In Europe, rosehip tea particularly was used to ease pains, aches, and inflammation.

Different uses for rosehip

Rose hips are commonly used as a herbal tea, often blended with herbs such as hibiscus while oil is extracted from the seeds. They can also be used to make jam, jelly, marmalade, and rose hip wine. Rose hip soup, “nyponsoppa”,

Rosehip soup “Nyponsoppa”  pronounced /ˈnyːˌpɔn/ in Swedish, is especially popular in Sweden. It is a soup that popularly consumed and sold in groceries stores, typically made with dried rose hips, water, potato flour (as a thickener), and sugar. The rose hips are boiled until they are soft and then blended with a mixer. The mixture is then run through a sieve and thickened with potato flour. It can be consumed hot or cold. Read more here

Health benefits of rosehip

Rosehips are rich in vitamin C, B and fibers as well as beta-carotene, Lycopene (a naturally occurring chemical that gives fruits and vegetables their red color and is found in tomatoes), sugar, pectin, tannic acid, malic acid and citric acid. Rosehip is also a rich source of collagen an important protein that contributes to the normal function of the skin, gums, bones and cartilage.

Fresh or dried, rosehips are essential for convalescents and can be used to prevent fatigue and colds. 

Rosehip is available in supplement form, powder form, in herbal teas and in oil. The powder and the oil are found in cosmetic or skincare products because of the amazing properties of the rosehip.

Rosehip tea is made from steeping crushed or dried rosehips. Rosehip tea aids in weight loss, decreases blood sugar levels, lowers pain and inflammation.

Benefits in skin care and hair care

Rosehip powder

Rosehip powder is a superfood that offers many health benefits. You can enjoy the benefits directly by mixing it in your smoothies or with yogurt to make your favorite to give a taste. It is also beneficial when used in skin and hair care products or formulations.

For skin

Rosehip has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. You can mix rosehip powder in your favorite clays for a detox face mask.  The powder can also be used in soaps, body scrubs, face masks, shower gels etc.

For hair

Rosehip powder has conditioning properties and helps support the healing of dry, damaged and thinning hair. It can serve as an additive to cosmetic bases to create your own hair masks, shampoos, conditioners and styling gels. Rosehip powder can also be used as a natural hair dye due to its vibrant purple-red hues.

Rosehip seed oil

Rosehip oil comes from the seed of the accessory fruit of various wild rose shrubs and has a high concentration of Vitamin C which makes it an excellent ingredient for treating a number of skin problems. It is also rich in essential fatty acids like linolenic acid and in antioxidants.

For skin

Moisturizes and hydrates the skin.

Prevent acne and scars.

Gives the skin a youthful appearance.

Brightens skin and treats hyperpigmentation which is caused by an excess production of melanin.

For hair

Rosehip oil strengthens the roots and the scalp and is excellent in calming irritated scalp and restoring its balance.

Restores luster and strength to hair.

Promotes healthy scalp and prevent scalp conditions like dandruff.

Repairs damaged follicles thus contributing to hair growth.

Here is a hair mask that nourishes and conditions your hair with key ingredients such as Hibiscus, Burdock root, Rosehip oil, argan oil, mango butter.

DIY deep conditioning hair mask with hibiscus and rosehip oil 

Ingredients

Heated water phase

• 200g herbal tea of 25g dried hibiscus flowers and 25g burdock root
• 10g Vegetable glycerin

Heated oil phase

• 22g Cocoa butter
• 24g Mango butter
• 6g Emulsifying wax
• 4g Cetyl alcohol
• 10g Rosehip oil
• 15g Avocado oil
• 8g Argan oil

Cool down phase

• 1.5g Hydrolyzed soy protein
• 0.3g natural preservative (I purchase mine here)
• 0.35g Rosemary essential oil
• 0.25g Lavender essential oil

How to make

In a beaker (if you don’t have one you can use a glass bowl), weigh the wax, butters, oils and emulsifiers and melt over a water bath. Next, in another beaker, weigh the herbal tea. 

Make sure that both the melted butters and the herbal tea reach a temperature of 75 degrees celsius.

Add the melted butters, wax and emulsifiers slowly to the herbal tea and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Place the beaker in the fridge to speed up the cooling process. Take the beaker out and add the hydrolyzed soy protein, the essential oils and the preservative. Transfer to a jar.

How to use

After shampooing your hair, apply the hair mask in sections, making sure to work the product through your hair. Cover with a deep conditioning cap and leave on for 30 mins. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

If you prefer to watch how to make this hair mask, click on the video below

I hope you will enjoy this hair mask. Have you tried rosehip in any form? Share your tips and rosehip recipes with us.