I first learned about rose hip oil from Aubrey Hampton’s book, Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care: Including A to Z Guide to Natural and Synthetic Chemicals in Cosmetics. The type of rose hip oil used in skincare comes from Rosa Mosqueta. It is the wild rose found growing high in the Andes of Chile.
Common rosehip in autumn, which is very high in Vitamin C. I have tried eating some of these and they are a bit tart. Photo by Howard Vaughan, BBC Essex.
Rose Hip Seed Oil is used as a cosmetic oil and provides a good source of essential fatty acids for the skin. Which is helpful in healing burns, stretch marks, and scar. Rose hip oil contains a high amount of vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A. These help increase collagen and elastin levels which assist with cell regeneration. In other words, a great way towards having nice and smooth skin.
I’ve used Aubrey’s brand of organic Rosa Masqueta oil and thought it was nice. The oil is golden yellow and has no strange smell (unlike carrot seed oil). In the past, I have mainly used it for dry facial skin and scalps with much success. I don’t think I used it often enough as the small bottle lasted me at least a couple of years.
So when it came time to try another rose hip oil, I decided to go with the NOW brand because you get more at a great price. From $4 per ounce compare to Aubrey’s 0.36 oz for $12. The only thing I’m wondering about is that it’s clear (no color, unlike Aubrey’s golden yellow version). So I don’t know if it’s extracted differently. But at least there is no odd smell. I love that it sinks right into my skin. And there has been no adverse reaction since I’ve used it. 
Shea Butter Ultra Rich Eye Balm, 0.5 oz at $32. Image source. After seeing this expensive eye balm from L’Occitane, I was inspired to make my own eye balm.
I’ve notice some fine lines around my eyes lately, but it’s really not noticeable from afar. It is known that Shea Butter offer superior moisturizing qualities while they protect and hydrate. On top of the shea butter, I also used other all natural ingredients made with no preservatives or parabens. Adding rose hip oil would only make sense as it is also a great ingredient in anti-aging products.
My ingredients include: Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Pure Beeswax and 35 drops of Rose hip oil. The color is a nice pale yellow due to the beeswax and smells nice too. I made 1 oz that should be good for 3 months.
I just apply it under my eyes before bedtime. I think it goes on fine and feels very moisturizing. So I’m using this balm as extra care for the delicate skin under the eyes.
11:07 pm on October 18th, 2009
So many products out there and very pricey when it comes to eye cream. I’m still amazed of how you could whip up all this magic beauty portion. I’ve not found a replacement for my old brand yet, still looking at the one in the drugstore, have you try Burt’s Bees Beeswax & Royal Jelly Eye Creme, it looks promising.
10:40 am on October 20th, 2009
I use rose oil for my face and an extra dash of rosehip seed oil for around the eyes and mouth to keep lines at bay, especially when I’ve been out in the cold, windy air. They definitely help with skin condition.
Have you ever drunk rosehip syrup cordial? Full of vitamin C, great for fighting off winter colds. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll make some, but I can’t bear to take the hips off the roses as I think I’m depriving the birds of some much-needed winter sustenance!
10:55 pm on October 20th, 2009
Hi Nye,
It’s really easy to make these creams once you have all the ingredients. And lots of fun!
I haven’t tried that particular one, but I’ve tried Burt’s Bees Marshmallow Vanishing Crème for eyes. I didn’t even finish it since the smell and texture was really strange.
For daytime use, I like “Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Eye Cream SPF 30″.
11:04 pm on October 20th, 2009
Hi Ruth,
Maybe you can take some hips and give the birds something in exchange? You are very kind to think of the birds.
I have never tried rosehip syrup cordial - it does sound like a good cold remedy. I’ve been wanting to make something similar with elderberries. But those are difficult to locate here in the U.S.
8:26 am on October 25th, 2009
Cambree, I’m giving Oil of Olay Age Defying Revitalizing Eye Gel a try, so far it’s pretty good, it’s clear and doesn’t have any smell, but feels kind of tight around the eyes area, I guess it takes some getting used to it.
11:38 pm on October 26th, 2009
Hi Nye,
I have used their face moisturizer once, but it didn’t agree with my skin. So I gave it to my mom and she likes it. I guess we don’t know until we try it first.
4:28 am on February 6th, 2010
[...] This is the best eye cream I’ve made so far. The others I’ve made previously with carrot seed oil did not turn out so well. And this one even has extra virgin coconut oil, so it smells like real coconut too. You can read more about the benefits of rosehip for skincare here. [...]