Rose oil VS rosehip oil: what’s the difference? Or are they the same thing?! Not quite… They have almost the same name. They come from the same flower family. Yet one keeps wrinkles at bay while the other irritates your skin real bad. Ouch! So what’s the difference between them and which one is the good twin? Let the rose oil vs rosehip oil showdown begin:
Rose Oil Vs Rosehip Oil: What Are They?
Here are the main differences:
| ROSE OIL | ROSEHIP OIL |
| It comes from the beautiful roses (Rosa Damascena) we all love. |
It comes from wild roses (Rosa Rubiginosa, Rosa Moschata and Rosa Canina. |
| It’s extracted from the petals. | It’s extracted from the rosehips, the fruit of the rosehp plant. |
| It’s made with steam distillation (that’s why the scent is so strong!) |
It’s squeezed out of the fruits and seeds through a cold-press method (that’s why it’s less concentrated). |
| It’s an essential oil, so it must be diluted before application. |
It’s a carrier oil (helps carry other oils into the skin). |
| It’s a pale yellow or green. | It’s a light amber or slightly orange hue. |
| It’s a strong rose scent. | It has a more subtle earth scent. |
| It contains many fragrant components but no fatty acids. |
It’s loaded with fatty acids. |
Now you know where rose oil and rosehip oil come from, can you guess which one is the good twin and which one is the bad twin? Keep reading to see if you’re right. 😉
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Is Rosehip Oil the Same as Rosehip Seed Oil?
Yeah, it’s one of those things no one tells you. Rosehip seed oil comes just from the seeds. Rosehip oil usually means they’ve used the seeds and the fruit. Same plant, slightly different parts. They both do the job (loads of fatty acids, helps your skin chill out and repair itself) but the full fruit version might have a bit more antioxidant punch. Honestly? Doesn’t matter too much. If it says either one and your skin loves it, you’re good.
Rose Oil VS Rosehip Oil: What Do They Do?
Rose Oil Benefits For Skin
Here are all the benefits of rose oil for skin:
- Hydrating: like all oils, rose oil has hydrating and moisturizing properties that plump skin up and make it softer and smoother.
- Soothing: its astringent properties are believed to soothe irritations and even reduce the symptoms of eczema.
- Antiaging: rose oil contains its fair share of antioxidants to fight the free radicals that cause premature aging.
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil has several skincare superpowers:
Related: Why Rosehip Oil Is My Go-To For Any Skin Woe
SHOP MY FAVE ROSEHIP OIL PRODUCTS
Can You Use Both Rose Oil and Rosehip Oil Together?
Technically, yes – but why would you want to? Rosehip oil is already a fantastic carrier oil, meaning you could use it as a base if you wanted to dilute a few drops of rose essential oil. But if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, combining them isn’t exactly a genius move. You’re taking something gentle and barrier-repairing and mixing it with something that could inflame the hell out of it. It’s like putting oat milk in your coffee… and then tossing in a shot of bleach. You can, but you probably shouldn’t.
Rose Oil VS Rosehip Oil: Are There Any Side Effects?
Here’s the thing no one tells you about plants: they’re not just one ingredient. Nope. Just like human beings, a plant is a living organism made up of tens of thousands of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are good. They give plants their moisturising, soothing and antioxidant properties. Other chemicals are toxic. They’re the plant’s self-defence mechanism against predators. In the case of rosehip oil, the good chemicals far outweigh the bad. It’s so gentle, it rarely causes irritations!
Rose oil is a completely different matter. Because of the extraction process, rose oil is loaded with citronellol, geraniol, linalool and other fragrant components that can cause allergies and irritations. If you have sensitive skin, don’t go there. Scratch that. If you have skin, don’t go there. Even if rose oil doesn’t give you a rash, fragrance can trigger inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin (where you can’t see it!). Inflammation speeds up aging. Need I say more?
Related: How To Use Rosehip Oil
Can You Use Rosehip Oil Every Day?
Yeah, no problem. It’s gentle, so you can slap it on morning, night, whatever. If you’re dealing with spots, scars, dry patches… daily use actually helps. Just don’t leave the bottle out in the sun or next to your radiator. It can go weird fast.
Rose Oil Vs Rosehip Oil: Which One Is Better?
Rosehip oil wins hands down. It moisturises your skin, helps you fight acne and keeps your wrinkles at bay – without irritation. Rose oil has its perks too, but the strong fragrance is trouble for skin.
The Bottom Line
If you’re after clear, smooth, calm skin that actually looks better long-term, rosehip oil is the one you want on your shelf. It does the work. Rose oil, on the other hand, is more of a luxury add-on – a high-maintenance guest at the skincare party that often causes more drama than results. If your skin barrier matters to you (and it should), skip the petals and stick with the hips.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
