Rosehip oil
Rosehip oil may make a healing surgical scar look less red, but the evidence is one unblinded trial with a lot of dropout, and a review concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend it. We found no trial for acne scars, photoageing or hair. Patch test the oil first, as allergic contact dermatitis has been reported.
The proven-looking rosehip results for joints are for a different product: rosehip powder taken by mouth for osteoarthritis, with a modest benefit in a small meta-analysis, and a later trial that found no difference from placebo.
At a glance
Last reviewed 10 October 2026What it's used for
Evidence is rated per use. The same ingredient can be strong for one thing and traditional for another.
| Use | Evidence | What the research shows |
|---|---|---|
| Post-surgical scarsCompare remedies for skin → | Limited | In a Spanish study of 108 adults after skin-tumour surgery, people who applied rosehip seed oil twice a day for six weeks from suture removal had less redness at 6 and 12 weeks, and less discolouration and atrophy at 12 weeks, than people who used nothing. Patients were randomised, but the study was unblinded, had no placebo, lost a large share of participants (160 enrolled, 108 finished), and used a single branded oil. A 2024 review counted only two human trials and concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend the oil.1,2 |
| Skin lesions from finger pricks (children with diabetes) | Traditional | In 68 children with type 1 diabetes (136 hands) checking glucose at least seven times a day, rosehip seed oil for 12 days did not improve skin lesions on the main measures. It is a short trial in an unusual setting, but it shows the oil did not help skin repair there.3 |
| Acne scarring and photoageing (wrinkles) | Traditional | We found no human trial of rosehip oil on acne scars or on wrinkles and sun damage in PubMed. The only wrinkle trial we found tested a rosehip powder swallowed for 8 weeks, in 34 people compared with astaxanthin, not the oil on skin.5 |
| HairCompare remedies for hair & nails → | Traditional | We searched PubMed and found no human trial of rosehip oil for hair growth, shine or breakage. Its use on hair is traditional.2 |
| Osteoarthritis (rosehip powder by mouth, not the oil)Compare remedies for joints and inflammation → | Limited | This is a different product: a powder made from the seeds and shells of Rosa canina, taken at about 5 g a day. A meta-analysis of three manufacturer-supported trials (287 people, median 3 months) found less pain than placebo (effect size 0.37, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.60), with about twice the odds of responding and a number needed to treat of six. A 2026 re-analysis of a 120-person trial found both groups improved by more than 50% with no significant difference between powder and placebo. A 2009 review of herbal medicines called the effectiveness of none proven beyond doubt.6,7,8,9 |
How much
Ranges below are what studies used and what supplements commonly contain. They are not a recommendation for you. Start at the low end.
How people take it
Safety
Who should avoid
- Allergy to rosehip or Rosa mosqueta — allergic contact dermatitis has been reported
- Unhealed wounds or stitches — the scar trial began after sutures were removed
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — we found no safety data on the oil or powder
- Osteoarthritis treatment — discuss the powder with your doctor first
Known interactions
Questions people ask
Is rosehip oil good for scars?
Possibly for the redness of surgical scars, but the evidence is weak. In a study of 108 adults, people using the oil twice daily had less redness, discolouration and atrophy than untreated people, but there was no placebo, no blinding and many dropouts. A 2024 review concluded there is insufficient evidence to recommend it.
Is rosehip oil good for your skin or acne scars?
We found no controlled human trials of rosehip oil for acne scars, wrinkles or general skin quality. Its results for scars come from one trial of surgical scars, and in children's finger-prick skin lesions it did not help.
Does rosehip oil help hair?
We found no human trial of rosehip oil for hair growth or hair quality, so any benefit is unproven.
Does rosehip help arthritis?
The evidence is for a rosehip powder taken by mouth, not the oil. A meta-analysis of three manufacturer-supported trials found modest pain relief in osteoarthritis, but a later 120-person trial found powder and placebo improved equally. Ask your doctor before adding it.
Sources (9)
- Comparative trial Valeron-Almazan P, Gomez-Duaso AJ, Santana-Molina N, Garcia-Bello MA, Carretero G. Evolution of Post-Surgical Scars Treated with Pure Rosehip Seed Oil. J Cosmet Dermatol Sci Appl. 2015.
- Review Belkhelladi M, Bougrine A. Rosehip extract and wound healing: A review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024.
- Randomised trial Aguirre-Romero AB, Galeano-Valle F, Conde-Montero E, et al. Efficacy and safety of a rosehip seed oil extract in the prevention and treatment of skin lesions in the hands of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by finger prick blood glucose monitoring; a randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial. Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr. 2020.
- Case report Ochando-Ibernon G, Schneller-Pavelescu L, Silvestre-Salvador JF. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by "Rosa mosqueta" oil. Contact Dermatitis. 2018.
- Randomised trial (oral powder) Phetcharat L, Wongsuphasawat K, Winther K. The effectiveness of a standardized rose hip powder, containing seeds and shells of Rosa canina, on cell longevity, skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity. Clin Interv Aging. 2015.
- Meta-analysis Christensen R, Bartels EM, Altman RD, Astrup A, Bliddal H. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients?--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008.
- Randomised trial Winther K, Apel K, Thamsborg G. A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Scand J Rheumatol. 2005.
- Randomised trial (secondary analysis) Motawei AM, Warholm KM, Winther K. Using Dose-Response Correlation Re-Analyzing to Distinguish Placebo from Standardized Rose-Hip Powder (Lito) in a Clinical Trial on Osteoarthritis Where Data Initially Looked Identical. Nutrients. 2026.
- Systematic review Cameron M, Gagnier JJ, Little CV, Parsons TJ, Blumle A, Chrubasik S. Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis. Phytother Res. 2009.
Last reviewed 10 October 2026 · Next review April 2027 · How we rate evidence
Reader notes
Experiences and questions from readers, read by an editor before they appear. They are personal accounts, not evidence, and are not medical advice.