Rosehip Oil for Hair: Can it Improve Hair Health?

Co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: June 11, 2022 References

Rosehip seed oil is a natural oil made from the rosehip shrub. The internet is full of claims about the benefits of rosehip oil, stating that it can strengthen your hair, add shine, make it grow faster and longer, and even reverse hair loss. Though there have been some studies on the effects of rosehip oil on skin, there’s not much research on how it will affect hair. However, it’s probably safe to use and won’t damage your hair. You can try using rosehip oil on your hair to see if you notice any positive changes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

What to Use Rosehip Oil For

Rosehip oil has proven benefits for skin, but there isn’t much research on how this oil can benefit your hair. Since it can improve elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, add moisture, and reduce inflammation on skin, it might work the same way on hair.

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Use rosehip oil to treat eczema on your scalp. Rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory properties and also contains antioxidants. It’s shown to have a positive effect on dry skin as well as conditions like eczema.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} If you have eczema on your scalp, using rosehip oil may help clear it up.
- Similarly, rosehip oil can help with cheilitis and neurodermatitis.
2
Try rosehip oil to reverse hair loss and increase hair growth. Hair loss has been linked to a fatty-acid deficiency, and rosehip oil contains lots of fatty acids. If you aren’t getting enough essential fatty acids in your diet and are experiencing hair loss, applying rosehip oil could help.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Similarly, you might notice your hair grows faster even if you aren’t dealing with hair loss.
- If you get enough fatty acids in your diet, you might not notice a difference when you add more to your hair and scalp with rosehip oil.
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See if rosehip oil strengthens your hair. Rosehip oil contains lots of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid. It’s also full of nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants like lycopene.^{[3]
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Research source} If you’re not getting enough of these nutrients through your diet, your hair may become weak or even fall out.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Adding these nutrients back into your hair with rosehip oil could, then, make it stronger.
- Antioxidants can destroy free radicals that age your hair and contribute to graying and hair loss.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
4
Add moisture and shine with rosehip oil. Rosehip oil has proven to add moisture and elasticity to skin, so it’s possible it can do the same with your hair! You may not see results right away, so try using this oil for about 2 months before deciding if you see an improvement.^{[6]
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Method 2

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How to Apply Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy, unlike many other oils, which makes it a great product to use on your hair. There are a few different ways to apply it, so choose your favorite or try a combination to see what works best for you.

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Put the oil directly on your scalp if you have eczema or dandruff. Rub the rosehip oil into the skin on your scalp to soothe itchiness. Leave the oil on overnight, then shampoo it out in the morning.^{[7]
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2
Rub rosehip oil into your hair to tame frizziness. If you’ve got a lot of flyaways or are struggling with frizzy hair, put a few drops of rosehip oil in your hands and rub them together. Then, smooth the oil through your hair, concentrating on the ends.^{[8]
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- Try using the oil on towel-dried hair after you shower.
3
Try a rosehip oil mask before you shower. For a deep-conditioning treatment, apply rosehip oil to all of your hair. Put your hair up in a shower cap and leave the oil on for about 5 minutes. Then, hop in the shower and shampoo it out.^{[9]
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Method 3

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Safety Precautions

Essential oils can actually be really dangerous when they’re misused. If you want to use rosehip oil for your hair, be sure to pick a high-quality product. Do a patch-test to make sure you’re not allergic to the oil, and only apply essential oils topically to your skin or hair.

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Choose pure, cold-pressed rosehip oil from a reputable company. You can find tons of essential oils online and in stores, but they’re not all the same quality. Look for a product with a label that states the oil is pure. ^{[10]
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Research source} Choose a cold-pressed variety, which will have more nutrients since the oil isn’t heated.^{[11]
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- Run an online search for the company name to see if they have a good reputation and happy customers.
- You don’t have to dilute rosehip oil before you apply it topically like you do nearly all other essential oils, so you probably don’t want to buy rosehip oil that’s already been diluted in a carrier oil.
2
Test the oil on your skin to check for negative reactions. Before you apply rosehip oil to your hair or scalp, put a couple of drops on an adhesive bandage, then put the bandage on your forearm. After 2 days, remove the bandage and check for redness, itchiness, swelling, blisters, and/or pain. If you have any of these symptoms, do not use rosehip oil again.^{[12]
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- If you experience any burning or irritation before the 48 hours are up, remove the bandage and wash your skin with mild soap and water.
- It’s a good idea to conduct patch tests of any new beauty products you purchase or make before using them.
3
Stop using rosehip oil if you have an allergic reaction to it. It’s not likely that you’ll have any negative side effects after using this oil on your hair or skin. However, it’s possible that you could experience redness, itching, burning, inflammation, or even blisters. If this happens, stop using the oil and see a doctor to determine if you need further treatment.^{[13]
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Medical Takeaways

There’s no proof that rosehip oil will strengthen your hair, add shine, reduce hair loss, or otherwise benefit your hair. That doesn’t mean that it won’t, though—it just means that the effects of rosehip oil on hair haven’t been studied clinically, yet. Go ahead and give it a try to see if it’s a product that works well for you.

Expert Q&A

Question

What ingredients are in rosehip oil?

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.

Ritu Thakur, MA

Natural Health Care Professional

Expert Answer

Basically, rosehip and carrier oil. If you want to make your own, buy organic, chemical free rose hips. Remove the leaves, the stems and the thorns. Put them into the mortar and crush them so that the seeds can release their medicinal properties. Then, just mix it into the carrier oil of your choice.

Warnings

Ask your doctor if rosehip oil could interact with any medications you currently take.^{[14]
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Essential oils are made for external use only. Never ingest rosehip oil or any other essential oil. If you do, contact Poison Control and/or seek medical attention right away.^{[15]
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U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
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