Rosehip Seed Oil: Evidence, Safety and How It Is Used
Rosehip seed oil is a carrier oil, not an essential oil: what the scar and wound research really shows, why it spoils, and the safety points to check first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety first: patch test, and know what is not known. An expert panel concluded in 2022 that 12 cosmetic ingredients from Rosa canina are safe at current use practices and concentrations only when products are formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. [7] Poison Control says allergy to an oil is possible, rash is the most common reaction, and you should stop use and wash it off if a rash appears. [1] If anyone swallows an oil and you are worried, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or your local emergency number. [1]
Rosehip seed oil is a carrier oil, which is a plain plant oil. It is not an essential oil. This page keeps apart lab and animal findings, human trials, and the route used (skin, mouth, or the powder taken by mouth).
What rosehip seed oil is
Rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit (the "hip") of wild roses. [5] The species most named is Rosa canina (dog rose), and GBIF lists it as an accepted name in the rose family, Rosaceae. [3] Many products come from Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar), also an accepted name. [4] The sources we read do not always say which species was used, so products and trials may not be the same. A review calls R. canina the most studied species. [6]It is a fatty oil. A 2025 laboratory study of seven commercial rosehip oils found they were rich in polyunsaturated fats (about 75 percent in one sample) and that the fatty acid pattern differed between oils. [8] Rosehip oil is a different product from rosehip powder or rosehip tea; see rose hips and rosehip tea.
A carrier oil is used to dilute an essential oil before it goes on skin. The National Cancer Institute describes aromatherapy massage as essential oils diluted in a carrier oil. [2] Poison Control says dilution in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction from direct skin contact with a potent essential oil. [1] A carrier does not make an unsuitable essential oil suitable. See carrier oils explained. We found no rosehip-specific dilution figure. Charts differ between sources: see why dilution charts differ. This is information, not a prescription.
Safety by group
- Skin and allergy: see the warning above. The panel conclusion does not give details for seed oil specifically. [7] We did not find case reports of allergy to rosehip seed oil in the abstracts we saw. That is not proof that none exist. See patch testing and stopping a reaction and skin reactions, allergy and sensitization.
- Freshness: a 2025 study of rosehip, hemp and passion fruit oils treats oxidation as a quality problem and tests ways to improve oxidative stability. [9] Another paper proposes tests to track oxidation and counterfeiting in rosehip oil. [8] We found no source that says how long rosehip oil keeps or what a rancid oil does to skin. See storing oils and shelf life.
- Sun: the sources we read do not describe sun sensitivity from rosehip seed oil. Not described is not proof of none.
- Pets (cats, dogs, birds): not described in the sources we read. See essential oils and pets.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not described in the sources we read. See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Babies and children: Poison Control says children's thin skin and immature livers may make them more susceptible to toxic effects of oils in general. [1] Rosehip oil is not described for children in the sources we read. Ask a clinician. See around babies and children.
- Seizures and breathing: not described for rosehip oil in the sources we read.
- Swallowing: Poison Control says swallowing some essential oils is poisonous and swallowed oil can be breathed in, causing pneumonia. [1] It does not discuss rosehip oil. See what poison centers say.
- Medicines: not described for the oil in the sources we read.
What research shows
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Route, form and who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsurgical scars | A 2024 review found few high-quality studies. It says two human clinical trials suggested rosehip oil may help topical wound formulations and may reduce scar size and redness, but concludes there is not enough evidence to recommend it for wound treatment. [5] | Insufficient evidence | Oil on skin; we read the review's abstract, not the two trials |
| Wound healing | A 2025 study found rosehip seed oil closed scratch wounds in cell culture faster, and sped healing of skin wounds in rats. [10] A 2025 rat study of a rosehip oil emulsion on induced mouth ulcers found fewer inflammatory cells and more collagen. [11] | Lab or animal only | Cells and rats, not people |
| Acne, pigment, anti-aging | A 2024 review calls rosehip extracts and oils promising but says more study of mechanisms is needed before safe use in skincare; most cited work is lab or animal. [6] | Lab or animal only | Reviews of mixed products |
| Osteoarthritis pain (a different product) | A 2008 pooled analysis of 3 trials (287 people) found less pain with rosehip hip powder than placebo; all three were manufacturer-funded and the authors asked for independent replication. [12] | Promising but limited, and not about the oil | Powder taken by mouth, not the oil |
Limits: human data on the oil are few and come from a review, not from trials we read ourselves. Oils are easy to see and feel, so blinding is hard. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for rosehip seed oil improving wrinkles, acne, pigment or stretch marks in people.
How it is used and what the sources say about quality
- Rosehip oil is used on skin and as a carrier oil in massage blends. [5][2]
- Commercial oils differ: seven samples sorted into two groups by their fatty acid pattern, and researchers propose testing to track quality and counterfeiting. [8] The label should show the plant, part and origin. See reading an essential oil label and purity and adulteration.
- Store as the label says; see storing oils.
Related pages
Uses studied and safety checks for Rosehip Seed Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (4)
- Skin irritation and allergy: what the safety review says. An expert panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, 2022) concluded that 12 Rosa canina-derived cosmetic ingredients are safe at current use practices and concentrations when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. The abstract does not give details for the seed oil specifically. Poison Control says an allergic reaction to any oil is possible and a rash should be washed off.
- Rancidity and oxidation (quality). Rosehip oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats (about 75 percent in one tested commercial sample), and researchers are studying ways to improve its oxidative stability. Seven commercial oils differed in fatty acid pattern, and the authors propose testing to track oxidation and counterfeiting. We found no source telling how long it keeps or what a rancid oil does to skin.
- Cats, dogs, pregnancy, babies, seizures, medicines. The sources we read do not describe rosehip seed oil for pets, pregnancy or breastfeeding, babies, seizure disorders or medicine interactions. Poison Control says children's thin skin and immature livers may make them more vulnerable to oils in general. Not described is not proof of none.
- Swallowing and aspiration. Poison Control says swallowing some essential oils is poisonous and swallowed oil can be breathed in, causing pneumonia. It does not discuss rosehip oil. If anyone swallows an oil in a worrying way, call a poison center (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number.
Rosehip seed oil and scars
Not enough evidenceA 2024 review of rosehip oil for postsurgical scars found few high-quality studies. It says two human clinical trials suggested the oil may be useful in topical wound formulations and that it may reduce scar size and redness, but concludes the evidence is limited and not enough to recommend it for wound treatment.
Supplements: Insufficient evidence in the review we read.
Rosehip seed oil, wound healing and skin (lab and animal)
Lab or animal research onlyA 2025 study found rosehip seed oil closed scratch wounds in cell culture faster and sped healing of skin wounds in rats; a 2025 rat study of a rosehip oil emulsion on mouth ulcers found fewer inflammatory cells and more collagen. These are cell and animal findings.
Supplements: Lab or animal only.
Anti-aging, acne, pigment and other skin claims
Lab or animal research onlyA 2024 review calls rosehip extracts and oils promising for scarring, pigment and acne harms but says more research on mechanisms is needed before safe use in skincare; most cited work is lab or animal. We found no human trial of rosehip seed oil for these in the sources we read.
Supplements: No good human evidence found.
What rosehip seed oil is (a carrier oil, not an essential oil)
Established roleRosehip oil is pressed from rose hips (Rosa canina; the name also covers Rosa rubiginosa). It is a fatty oil, used on skin and as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils. It is not the same as rosehip powder or rosehip tea.
Supplements: Fatty oil.
Rosehip powder for knee and hip osteoarthritis (a different product)
Preliminary or mixedA 2008 pooled analysis of 3 trials (287 people) of rosehip hip powder found less pain than placebo, but all three trials were manufacturer-funded and the authors asked for independent replication. This is a powder taken by mouth, not the oil.
Supplements: Different product; not about the oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is rosehip seed oil an essential oil?
No. It is a fatty plant oil pressed from rose hips, used on skin and as a carrier oil. [5][2]
Does rosehip oil fade scars?
A 2024 review found few high-quality studies. Two human trials gave hints of smaller, less red scars, but the review says the evidence is not enough to recommend it. [5]
Is it safe for cats, dogs, babies or pregnancy?
The sources we read do not describe rosehip oil for pets, babies or pregnancy. Poison Control says children's thin skin and immature livers may make them more susceptible to toxic effects of oils. [1] Ask a clinician or vet.
Is rosehip oil the same as rosehip tea or powder?
No. The osteoarthritis trials used a powder taken by mouth. [12] Results for one form do not carry over to another.
Should I swallow it?
No advice to swallow rosehip oil is given. Poison Control says to call a poison center (US 1-800-222-1222) if an oil has been swallowed and you are worried. [1]
References
- Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center). Essential oils: Poisonous when misused. Undated. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Cancer Institute (US). Aromatherapy and Essential Oils (PDQ). 2024. First part of the page read. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF species match: Rosa canina. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF species match: Rosa rubiginosa. Read 2026-10-23.
- Rosehip extract and wound healing: a review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-23.
- Unveiling the mechanisms for the development of rosehip-based dermatological products: an updated review. Front Pharmacol. 2024 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety. Safety assessment of Rosa canina-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2022 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Characterization of Bulgarian rosehip oil by GC-MS, UV-VIS spectroscopy, colorimetry, FTIR spectroscopy, and 3D excitation-emission fluorescence spectra. Molecules. 2025 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Improvement of the oxidative stability of rosehip, hemp, and passion fruit oils by the addition of monocyclic phenols as antioxidants. Antioxidants. 2025 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Phytotherapeutic evaluation of rosehip seed and olive oils on wound healing. 3 Biotech. 2025 (abstract summary read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-23.
- The efficacy of rosehip oil emulsion as a pro-healing herbal medicine for the treatment of induced mucosal ulcer. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2025 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Christensen R, et al. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.