THE RUBY JUICE OF BOTANICAL RETINOL
The sun-ripened ruby fruit of wild Rose flowers creates a replenishing Rosehips Oil from the treasured fruit and seeds. Rosehips have long been pressed, pulped, preserved, and mortared-and-pestled into restorative salves, oleum rosaceum infusions, strengthening syrups, Rodomel meads, and soothing Roman dental liniments. Pliny the Elder recorded dozens of wild Rosehip preparations, while Galen made Rosehip cerates and complexion pastes to soothe many skin conditions. Mapuche medicine-makers of the Andean valleys crushed the wild hips into golden-red unguents known as "the oil of youth" to soothe burns, soften stubborn scars, and comfort weather-worn skin parched by the high-altitude, while Plains First Nations blended wild Rosehips into balms to shield skin against freezing prairie winds. The wisdom behind these Rosehip remedies resides in the alchemy of the whole fruit: saturated with whole-plant carotenoid pigments, specifically lycopene, beta-carotene, and rubixanthin, imbuing this jewel-toned nectar with a carnelian radiance. While cold-pressed Rosehip oils are expressed solely from dried seeds, our fulsome, full-spectrum supercritical CO2 extraction gently draws oil from both the nutrient-dense fruit flesh and the seeds, reviving the complete whole-fruit tradition that made ancient Rosehip remedies so revered, and capturing the complete phytochemistry without friction heat, chemical solvents, or exposure to air. Achieving a botanical extraction ratio of 18–22:1, this Rosehip oil requires 18 to 22 kilograms of whole fruit and seeds to yield a single kilogram of pure oil, delivering 3 to 4 times the active unsaponifiables and up to 10 times the antioxidant carotenoids found in conventional cold-pressed Rosehip oils.
The result is a ruby elixir brimming with biocompatible essential fatty acids, bioavailable vitamins C and E, and naturally occurring botanical retinol. Supplying native trans-retinoic acid at harmonious levels, this active botanical tretinoin encourages renewal and resilience while softening the appearance of fine lines, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation. In tandem, the abundant carotenoids serve as a steady-release reservoir that skin converts into active retinoids, supported by plant sterols and tocopherols that nourish the barrier. Differing from synthetic retinoids that frequently induce surface peeling, redness, barrier thinning, and the "retinol burn," this authentic botanical retinol gently resurrects suppleness and tone while keeping the lipid barrier calm, cushioned, and photo-stable.
Due to Wild Rosehip's delicate matrix of essential fatty acids that are vulnerable to lipid peroxidation when exposed to air, we fortify our extract with 5% pure organic Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia). Lavender’s naturally occurring monoterpenols (linalool) and soothing esters (linalyl acetate) serve as nature's shield, stabilizing fragile lipid bonds at a molecular level while soothing skin and enhancing absorption. The result is a vibrant, skin-silkifying elixir that is ready for direct application or further formulation.
The Rosehip Fairy
“Cool dewy morning,
Blue sky at noon,
White mist at evening,
And large yellow moon;
Blackberries juicy
For staining of lips;
And scarlet, O scarlet
The Wild Rose Hips!
All Autumn long,
Here on the hedge-top
This is my song.”
Cicely Mary Barker, The Flower Fairies
APPLICATIONS + DISTILLATION DETAILS
Wild Rosehips oil can be applied directly as a replenishing spot elixir, smoothed as a nightly facial serum, or blended into restorative body oils for scars and stretch marks. Dispense one to two drops onto damp fingertips after cleansing with your favorite Best Skin Ever, pressing and patting into the visage, neck, and orbital contour before bed so the botanical tretinoin can replenish and regenerate tissues overnight. A tiny dab quenches the complexion; you can also infuse a drop or two into your favorite serums or pure Jojoba oil, or craft your own concentrated elixirs with the recipes below.
Distillation Details
Botanical Name: Rosa canina
Botanical Family: Rosaceae
Extraction Method: CO2
Part of Plant Distilled: Rosehip fruit, seeds
Country of Origin: Africa
Cultivation Method: Organic + Wild-crafted
Composition: 95% Rosa canina + 5% Lavandula angustifolia
Consistency: Medium
Blends beautifully with: Myrrh, Frankincense, Immortelle, Ylang, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Sweet Thyme, Myrtle, Ravensara, Rose Otto, Lemon, and Rockrose.
Constituents: Abundant essential fatty acids (Omega-3 Alpha-Linolenic, Omega-6 Linoleic, and Omega-9 Oleic), bioavailable trans-retinoic acid precursors, rich carotenoids (lycopene and beta-carotene), tocopherols (Vitamin E), phytosterols, linalool, and linalyl acetate
The Phytochemistry of Rosehip's Alchemy
Our supercritical CO2 total extraction captures the pure phytochemistry of both the fruit flesh and the seeds, yielding a fulsome, full-spectrum lipid. At the core of this crimson oil is an exceptional, biocompatible concentration of essential fatty acids that seamlessly integrates with the skin's own lipid matrix. Verified by laboratory analysis, this extract presents a definitive lipid architecture: 44% linoleic acid (Omega-6) and 33% alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3), harmonized by 15% oleic acid (Omega-9). Bolstering these primary lipids is an array of restorative trace fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and gondoic acid. These biomimetic lipids directly replenish the stratum corneum, quell transepidermal water loss, and restore suppleness.
Extracted at a ratio of 18–22:1, it requires 18 to 22 kilograms of whole organic fruit pulp and seeds to concentrate a single kilogram of pure oil. This whole-plant method yields 3 to 4 times the concentration of active unsaponifiables and up to 10 times the carotenoid density found in conventional cold-pressed Rosehip oil. Within this unsaponifiable fraction resides naturally occurring trans-retinoic acid, delivering pure botanical tretinoin for renewal and synthesis without synthetic irritation. Rather than operating as an isolated chemical, this natural tretinoin is cushioned by a natural matrix of co-factors: carotenoid reservoirs of trans-beta-carotene and lycopene that convert into active retinoids as the tissue requires, accompanied by native plant sterols (beta-sitosterol) and fat-soluble tocopherols that protect the delicate tretinoin molecules from breakdown while accelerating transdermal uptake. Working in concert, these compounds soften the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation while bestowing the oil with its carnelian color.
Sustaining these delicate lipid bonds against ambient oxidation, the formula fortifies 95% Wild Rosehip with 5% pure organic Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender’s naturally occurring monoterpenols and soothing esters act as nature's radical-scavenging shield, interrupting oxidative cascades and stabilizing the fragile fatty acids at a molecular level. This 5% synergy maintains enduring biological vitality while naturally enhancing transdermal absorption, allowing these restorative botanicals to glide effortlessly into the skin.
The Real Rose Retinol Remedy
Pairing Wild Rosehips with Mastic Essential Oil unlocks a synergistic bio-pathway: while Rosehip delivers bioavailable botanical tretinoin, Mastic contains unique triterpenic compounds that inhibit CYP26A1 (the enzyme responsible for breaking down retinoic acid in skin cells). This pairing preserves and sustains tretinoin levels within the tissue. Combine in a glass bottle and roll gently between the palms to blend.
30 ml Wild Rosehips Carrier Oil
(or a 15 ml Wild Rosehips to 15 ml Organic Jojoba Oil ratio if you prefer a less ruby hue)
5 ml Mastic Essential Oil
1 ml Palmarosa Essential Oil
1 ml Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
The Red and Blue Serum
A cooling, carnelian nectar of wild Rosehip with calming blue chamazulene and fortifying frankincense.
30 ml Organic Jojoba Oil
30 ml Wild Rosehips Carrier Oil
3 ml Frankincense Essential Oil
2 ml Blue Tansy Essential Oil
1 ml Yarrow Essential Oil
Oleum Rosaceum
Recorded in Greco-Roman antiquity, Oleum Rosaceum was a classical botanical panacea, celebrated for restoring the complexion and serving as a silky post-bath anointment. While historically prepared through simple, prolonged solar macerations of wild petals and hips in olive oil, this concentrated version harnesses supercritical rosehip to capture even more of the vital trans-retinoic acids and carotenoids than a traditional infusion ever could. To prepare, simply pour the organic Jojoba, Rosehip extract, and Rose directly into a 15 mL amber glass bottle and shake gently to unify. Store away from direct light, and smooth several drops over damp, freshly misted skin morning and evening.
15 mL Organic Jojoba Oil
5mL Rosehip Supercritical CO2 Extract
1mL Rose Otto (or the co-distillation of Roses Over Geranium)
Unguentum Rosatum Mesue
Attributed to the 9th-century Persian physician Masawaih (a.k.a. Mesue the Elder), this renowned fat-based ointment was standard issue in Renaissance infirmaries for soothing abrasions, weathered tissue, and cracked skin. Where traditional preparation infused wild rosehips directly into warm animal fat, this remedy is made more potent with concentrated supercritical rosehip extract. To prepare, gently melt the organic tallow (or virgin coconut oil) and beeswax together in a glass bain-marie until liquid. Remove from the heat, stir in the Rosehip and Rose oil until unified, and pour directly into a glass jar to solidify.
45 g Organic Grass-Fed Tallow (or Virgin Coconut Oil)
10 g Beeswax
10 mL Rosehip Supercritical CO2 Extract
1mL Rose Otto (or the co-distillation of Roses Over Geranium)
View or download the Certificate of Analysis.
This essential oil is verified, genuine distillation, third-party tested to ensure 100% purity.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is there Lavender Essential Oil in this carrier oil?
Pure, unrefined rosehip oil has a high concentration of delicate fatty acids that are vulnerable to lipid peroxidation. Fortifying Wild Rosehips with 5% organic Lavender Essential Oil stabilizes the lipids at a molecular level. Lavender’s natural linalool and linalyl acetate act as botanical antioxidants, shielding the fresh oil from oxidation while imparting extra skin-smoothing benefits.
How does supercritical CO2 extraction compare to conventional cold-pressed rosehip seed oil?
Standard cold-pressed Rosehip oil is typically pressed solely from dried seeds, using mechanical pressure that can generate friction heat and air exposure. Our supercritical CO2 total extract begins with organic wild Rosehips harvested across the pristine mountain highlands of southern Africa and extracted at low temperatures without oxygen or chemical solvents. This method achieves an extraction ratio of 18–22:1, requiring 18 to 22 kilograms of whole fruit and seed to produce a single kilogram of pure extract. This delivers 3 to 4 times the concentration of active unsaponifiables (plant sterols, tocopherols, and bioavailable tretinoin precursors) and up to 10 times the antioxidant carotenoids found in regular cold-pressed Rosehip oils. In formulations, a measure of just 2% to 3% provides the restorative potency of 10% to 15% standard cold-pressed oil.
Can I use this oil during the daytime, or will it cause sun sensitivity like synthetic retinol?
Differing from synthetic retinol and retinoid prescriptions, which thin the surface stratum corneum, trigger barrier-stripping flaking, and leave skin vulnerable to UV damage, authentic wild Rosehip oil is inherently non-sensitizing and photo-stable. It does not cause photosensitivity. Since the skin naturally enters its restorative renewal phase overnight, applying it at bedtime allows the active botanical tretinoin precursors to do their best work.
Will the rich red-amber color stain my skin?
It does not stain the skin. When massaged gently into damp skin, the ruby color absorbs cleanly, leaving a healthy, sun-kissed glow without discoloration. Saturated with deeply pigmented lycopene and natural carotenoids, a moderate amount settles best when allowed a few quiet minutes to absorb before coming into direct contact with white fabrics or delicate linens. For an even sheerer application that further reduces any chance of color transferring onto white pillows or clothing, you can dilute it to around 10% in organic Jojoba or another favorite carrier oil, as detailed in our recipes above.
Can I use Wild Rosehips Carrier Oil if I am prone to breakouts?
Yes. Rosehip oil is rich in linoleic acid, a lightweight essential lipid often depleted in blemish-prone complexions. Supplying linoleic acid alongside natural trans-retinoic acid helps balance heavy sebum, refines the pore lining, and clears spent cellular buildup before it can compact. Pair it with a drop of Sweet Thyme, Immortelle, or Zippity DewDab for targeted clarifying care.
