Rosehip oil is a fairly expensive, luxury item – but it really doesn’t have to be! If you learn how to extract oil from your own rosehips, you will potentially save yourself a lot of money.
This nourishing oil can be used in a variety of different ways; get experimenting today and find your favorite method of using the extracted oil.
What You'll Learn Today
How To Extract Oil From Rosehips
Making rosehip oil at home is really very easy, and you don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients to make it. Let’s find out how!
Commercial rosehip oil is made using the seeds, but you can also include the flesh of your rosehips – this is especially useful if you don’t have too many.
Rosehip Oil Infusion:
- Dry your rosehips, either in a dehydrator or a low oven. This prevents them from going moldy in the oil.
- Roughly chop the rosehips, to expose as much of the seed and flesh as possible.
- Place them in a large, wide mouthed jar that you have previously sterilized using boiling water.
- Cover the hips with an odorless carrier oil – there are a great many of these to choose from, so simply pick the type that suits you best.
- Place a lid on the jar, and store it in a cool dark place for at least a fortnight – longer if you want a more concentrated oil.
- After this time, strain the oil well (you will want to make sure you get rid of those irritating little seed hairs!)
- Store the oil in a fresh, sterilized bottle – a dark colored one is best – and use it within 6 months.
Heated Method:
- Combine 1 cup of rosehips with 2 cups of carrier oil in a double saucepan (if you don’t have a double saucepan, rest a heat proof bowl in a saucepan of water).
- Chop, grind or macerate the rosephips to extract the majority of the goodness.
- Heat the pan until the water boils, then turn down to a low simmer.
- Allow the hips and oil to infuse together over the low heat for several hours – up to 12 for maximum results.
- Cool the oil, then strain the solids well through a muslin or cheesecloth over a sieve.
- Place the oil into a suitable container, store in a dark place and use within 6 months.
Can I Make Rosehip Oil At Home?
Making rosehip oil at home is a very simple process, and one that is also very cheap – and it will leave you with a treasure trove of usefulness!
You don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients to make this oil, which is wildly expensive if you buy it in shops.
Extracting your own rosehip oil leaves you with not only a lot of the product, but also a great sense of satisfaction and achievement!
Rosehip oil makes a great base for all kinds of beauty treatments, and it’s a lovely gift to give someone who is wanting to make their health routine a more natural one.
This great video shows you how you can make rosehip oil at home:
Where Is Rosehip Oil Extracted From?
You may think that rosehip oil is extracted from the juicy berries themselves – but actually it’s a little more in depth than that.
Rosehip oil is extracted from the seeds, and is generally done using a cold-pressed method, but there are other ways to make it.
Specifically, rosehip oil comes from the seeds of Rosa Rubiginosa, native to the Southern Andes.
It can also be extracted from Rosa Canina, a wild species which comes from Europe, Africa and Asia.
You can, of course, make rosehip oil from whatever type of rosehip you have around your area, but it may not be as effective as these two.
However, don’t let this put you off – all rosehips contain the same great healing properties.
Does Rosehip Oil Tighten Skin?
Rosehips are a bit of a nutritional powerhouse. They contain high amounts of vitamin C, making them great at combatting all sorts of health issues.
Vitamin C is great for brightening the skin, making it look younger and fresher and leaving you with a radiant glow.
These little berries also contain vitamin A, which has long been used in skincare products to improve the skin.
Retinol in vitamin A can help to smooth out fine lines and prevent sagging of the skin, making it look firmer and tighter.
They are also slightly astringent, which means they are a very important ingredient in many types of skincare product.
They can tighten the skin due to the compounds they contain, as well as being very helpful in reducing inflammation.
Beta carotene, an antioxidant contained in roships, promotes the growth and renewal of cells – this is definitely one to apply to your face!
Who Cannot Use Rosehip Oil?
Although rosehips are a natural remedy, there can occasionally be some contraindications that may make them unsuitable for some people.
This is not to say that it will do you loads of harm, but if you have any of the following you should consult your doctor before using rosehip oil:
- Diabetes
- Kidney stones
- Anaemia
These conditions can all be affected by the high amounts of vitamin C in rosehips, so you should proceed with caution.
Rosehips can also decrease the blood’s ability to clot, so you should stop taking them if you are on blood clotting medication, or if you are due to have surgery within 2 weeks.
Final Thoughts
All this being said, rosehips are generally totally safe and can be enjoyed by just about anyone.
Making your own rosehip oil is breathtakingly simple, plus it’s great fun to make your own beauty treatments for almost no money!
Now that you have the knowledge under your belt, get out there and get foraging in the hedgerows for your next batch.
