Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
How the heck do you use rosehip oil? I kid you not, this is the #1 question in my inbox right now. It’s my bad. I’ve been raving about rosehip oil for months. It’s my go-to for every skin woe. Whether a pimple has reared its ugly head on my chin, my retinol serum has dried my cheeks a little too much or my complexion just needs a pick-me-up, I can count on rosehip oil to kick my skin back into shape, pronto.
But I’ve never told you how to use rosehip oil. Like, what’s its place in your skincare routine? How do you layer it with other actives? And can anyone use it? Here are the answers to these – and more – questions about how to make the most of rosehip oil:
- How To Use Rosehip Oil On Your Face
- Can You Use Rosehip Oil Every Day (Morning And Night)?
- How Much Rosehip Oil Should You Use?
- Can You Use Rosehip Oil Together With Retinoids?
- Can You Use Rosehip Oil After Vitamin C & AHAs?
- Is Rosehip Oil Suitable For A First-Time Retinoid User?
- Can You Use Rosehip Oil If You Have Oily Skin And/Or Acne?
- Can Pregnant Women And Nursing Mums Use Rosehip Oil?
- What’s The Best Type Of Rosehip Oil?
- The Bottom Line
How To Use Rosehip Oil On Your Face
Rosehip oil isn’t complicated. You do not need a 12-step ritual, a jade roller, or the patience of a saint. Use 2–3 drops after your serums and treatments. If you’re using a moisturiser too, put that on first and use rosehip oil on top. Or, you can mix a few drops of rosehip oil with your moisturiser instead.
Why is rosehip oil the last step? Because oils are rich in essential fatty acids that help reduce water loss from the skin. That makes them great at sealing moisture in. It also means I’d rather have my lighter, water-based serums underneath where they can do their thing instead of trying to fight their way through a layer of oil afterwards.
Then just warm the oil between your fingertips and press it into your skin. You can massage it in too if you prefer. No need to rub your face like you’re trying to remove a stain.
If your skin is oily, combination or just doesn’t need much help in the moisture department, rosehip oil may be enough on its own. If your skin is dry, layer it over moisturiser for extra help keeping moisture locked in.
You can use it in the morning, but I personally prefer it at night. Oils and makeup can be a temperamental little marriage, and in the morning sunscreen still needs to be your final skincare step anyway.
Related: What Is The Right Order To Apply Skincare Products?
Can You Use Rosehip Oil Every Day (Morning And Night)?
I like to use rosehip every now and then, when my skin is pimply, dry or not looking its best. But you can use it every night, if you wish. I don’t like using oils in the morning. They don’t always play well with your sunscreen and makeup. If you find one that does, go ahead. Just don’t forget to pile on your sunscreen afterwards!
Related: What Skincare Products Should You Only Use At Night?
How Much Rosehip Oil Should You Use?
2-3 drops, max. That’s all your skin can actually soak up at once. Use more and it just sits there on your face being greasy and annoying. Your skin isn’t a sponge – it can only absorb so much oil before it’s like “nah, I’m good.” Anything extra is just wasted product making you look shiny for no reason. If those drops disappear into your skin and it still feels dry, wait a sec then add another drop.
Can You Use Rosehip Oil Together With Retinoids?
In theory, you can. I know women who use rosehip oil with tretinoin to lessen the peeling and skin irritation they get from it. It works for them. I’d say most people can pair rosehip oil with another retinoid. But if you have sensitive or dry skin that’s easily irritated, this combo may be too much for you. If you want to use both, try this combo on a small patch of facial skin first and see how your skin reacts to it. Your skin will tell you if it likes it or not.
Related: How To Do A Patch Test
Can You Use Rosehip Oil After Vitamin C & AHAs?
Vitamin C and AHAs are two anti aging superstars. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, brightens skin and boosts collagen. AHAs are a family of exfoliants that get rid of dead skin cells, helping to fade away the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots
They have one thing in common: high concentrations can be irritating. So, can you use rosehip oil (a natural source of vitamin A) with them? Again, it depends. Most people will be able to use them together without problems. But if your skin is sensitive, there’s the small chance all these strong actives may make it act out and irritate it.
P.S. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend you stick to lactic acid (the gentlest member of the AHAs family) and vitamin C derivatives. Anything stronger than that can wreak havoc on your delicate skin.
Related: Can You Use Vitamin C If You Have Sensitive Skin?
Is Rosehip Oil Suitable For A First-Time Retinoid User?
If you’re in your mid-20s and want to up your anti aging game, rosehip oil is the perfect way to start on your retinoid journey. While most OTC retinoid serums can be drying, the fatty acids in rosehip oil soothe inflammation and moisturise your skin, minimising the peeling and irritation.
Related: What Strength Of Retinol Do You Need?
Can You Use Rosehip Oil If You Have Oily Skin And/Or Acne?
It depends on what type of acne you have. If it’s the fungal kind, stay away. The fatty acids composition of rosehip oil can feed malassezia, the fungus that’s making your life hell. Boo! Got bacterial acne or just annoyingly oily skin? Rosehip oil is your new BFF. Studies show rosehip oil can treat mini pimples.
Here’s how it works: acne patients usually lack linoleic acid in their skin. Rosehip oil has a TON of it. By putting it back in, you help your skin heal faster. Plus, rosehip oil is lightweight and fast-absorbing. It won’t leave a greasy mess all over your skin. Phew!
Related: How To Fight Acne With Oils (And Which Ones To Choose)
Can Pregnant Women And Nursing Mums Use Rosehip Oil?
Prescription retinoids are strictly forbidden during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Studies show they cause birth defects in mice. But rosehip oil isn’t a prescription retinoid. Pregnant women have been using it for centuries to prevent stretch marks and moisturize skin. Studies seem to confirm it’s safe during pregnancy, too. But I totally get it if you prefer to give it a pass – just to be on the super safe side.
Related: What Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
What’s The Best Type Of Rosehip Oil?
I can’t answer this for you. Disappointing, I know. But hear me out… Remember when I told you that every batch of rosehip oil has a slightly different composition? That makes it impossible to compare different products – unless you try them all yourself.
The best you can do is to opt for the cold-pressed, unrefined kind whenever possible. The more the oil is processed, the more vitamins and antioxidants it loses. But I won’t leave you with nothing. I’ve tried my fair share of rosehip oils in the past, so here are my personal top 3 picks:
- The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rise Hip Seed Oil ($10.90): available at Asos, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
- Good Morning Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil ($10.00): available at Ulta
- Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerate, Rosehip Seed and Fruit Universal Face Oil ($34.00): available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore and Sephora
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not gonna tell you rosehip oil will solve all your problems (I mean, I wish), but it’s honestly one of those rare products that actually lives up to the hype. It’s cheap, it works, and it doesn’t make your skin freak out. If you’ve been hoarding a bottle and overthinking it – just slap it on your face already. Worst case? Your skin looks amazing. Best case? Same thing. You literally can’t lose here.
4. CAN YOU USE ROSEHIP OIL TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER RETINOID?
I use a nighttime lotion w/.02% Tretinoin, 5% Azeliac Acid and 4% Niacinamide.
Would I use the Rosehip Oil before or after?
Cbren, rosehip is always the last step of your skincare routine.
Cbren, what is the name of the lotion you use?
Thank you so much for this post Gio! I’ve waiting to buy The Ordinary’s rosehip oil for a while now. I’m a big fan of their Marula oil, but I found out that while it’s a great product for the skin, it works wonders on my hair.
So it seems that Rosehip is a bit more interesting for the skin and I’ve been thinking about replacing the Marula one for it in my facial massage routine.
Mariana, they’re both great oils but I’m with you, rosehip oil goes that little extra mile for your skin. 🙂
Dear Gio, when I’ve first discovered your blog I’ve read all of it, from start to finish. It’s so informative and truthful for everyone who wants to know how skincare and ingredients really work. Anyway, I didn’t have any reasons to leave here a message until I’ve read some disturbing articles on a Canadian beauty blog (the skin care edit) about the harmful effects of polyunsaturated oils.
I’ve tried several times to post a comment here and it doesn’t show. Maybe cause it contained some links? Please, please, please, what’s your opinion about the oil’s ageing skin risk. I trust your opinion and I really hope this time my comment will appear here. Thanks so much for what you’re doing here!
Gabi, thanks so much for your support. So glad you’re enjoying my blog. And so sorry you had problems posting here. This is the only comment I’ve received from you on this post.
An unbalance of polyunsaturated oils in your diet may lead to inflammation and aging. But as long as you eat more omega-3 than omega-6 fatty acids, you’re gonna be fine. This is a case of too much of a good thing being bad. But it’s not a good enough reason to avoid them in your skincare. This post by Labmuffin explains why in more details: https://labmuffin.com/unsaturated-oils-bad-skin/
Thank you so much for your answer, I was about to toss my extra virgin cold pressed sunflower, pumpkin and grapeseed oils, but I’m glad I didn’t.
Gabi, no need to toss them. Just use them in moderation, like everything else. 🙂
The ONLY thing my hardy, healthy middle-aged face has ever hated was The Ordinary’s Rosehip Oil. Within an hour of using the oil, my entire face and neck were covered in huge, swollen, itchy red hives. This reaction took three days to subside, and left me with ruined skin. My normally fine texture was thick and rough. My usually even tone was blotchy and red. It was a solid 2 months before I regained my good skin.
I have no allergies. I do not have sensitive skin. I regularly try to new brands and treatments without trouble. My skin was in great shape when I tried the rosehip oil. I did not mix products. The single worst skincare experience of my life.
Merry, oh no, I am so sorry to hear this! Unfortunately, you can develop a negative reaction to anything at any time. 🙁
Hi Gio,
I just came across your blog and I can’t stop reading it! I was wondering if I could mix my rosehip oil with my moisturizer (aloe vera gel + cerave PM facial moisurizer) after my serums.
Thanks!
Diana, yes you can!
Hey, so I use Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ every morning as my Vitamin C antioxidant serum (since it contains Acai, Tomato seed and Cranberry which are high in vitamin C). Then, 3 nights a week (and sometimes every night), I use a prescription retinol (Tretinoin 0.025%). My question is, is it okay to use Rosehip oil the same day as a prescription retinol? I would really appreciate a professional opinion, thanks.
Esther, it depends how sensitive your skin is. Most people can use rosehip oil after tretinoin without problems.
Hi, I didn’t realise rosehip oil had these properties and I just recently got the ordinary one. I’m only 22, is it safe for me to use? I’ve noticed no irritation since I started using it this week. I have very dry sensitive/eczema like skin and already getting fine lines on my forehead.
Sarah, if it doesn’t bother your eczema, you can use it safely.
Hey there , can i use ordinary lactic acid 10% with rosehip oil?? I should layer it? If yes which one comes first or i should mix both the products??
Yumna, you can use lactic acid a couple of nights a week and layer rosehip oil on top.
Hi Gio. Loved your info about Rosehip Oil. I have hormonal acne will rosehip oil work and what routine can I follow. Thanks
Sashni, check out this post for hormonal acne: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/ultimate-guide-dealing-hormonal-acne/
If you need more help with your skincare routine, you can book your consultation here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skincare-consultation/