Rosehip oil (Rosa canina) is sometimes called “liquid gold”, and for good reason. Pressed from the tiny seeds of wild rosehips, it’s brimming with vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help skin regenerate, brighten and glow. For centuries, rosehips have been valued as a source of nourishment, and their oil has become a cornerstone of natural skincare.
Quick facts
Botanical name: Rosa canina
Texture: Silky, light and fast-absorbing
Best for: Dull or mature skin, uneven tone, scars and fine lines
Key benefits: Brightens, regenerates, hydrates and restores elasticity
Used in: Moisturising Serums & Nourishing Facial Oils
Rosehip Seed Oil & the bees
Roses are a gift to bees. The open, accessible flowers of wild roses provide rich pollen and nectar, while the hips that form later in the year feed birds and wildlife. Bees and roses have always worked hand-in-hand: pollination keeps the roses fruiting, while the bees gain nourishment from their blooms.
Origins
Used by the ancient Egyptians and Mayans, rosehip oil has a long tradition of healing and beauty. During World War II, when citrus fruits were scarce, British children were given rosehip syrup to prevent vitamin C deficiency. Its skincare reputation grew in the 20th century when studies confirmed its high levels of vitamin A and C, both key for cell renewal.
How it's made
Rosehip oil is cold-pressed from the seeds found inside the hips of wild rose bushes. This process protects its delicate vitamins and fatty acids, yielding an amber-orange oil that’s wonderfully nutrient-rich.
Skin benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is a multitasker for radiant, healthy skin:
- Brightens and evens tone with natural vitamin C
- Supports cell regeneration and helps reduce scars and fine lines
- Boosts elasticity for mature skin
- Hydrates deeply without heaviness
Well-being benefits
Rosehip oil has a subtle earthy scent that blends beautifully with floral oils. Its association with nourishment and healing also makes it a symbol of renewal and resilience.
The experience
Silky, fast-absorbing, and lightly earthy, rosehip oil leaves the skin soft, radiant and cared-for.
Why we use Rosehip Seed Oil in our skincare
For us, rosehip is about radiance and resilience. It’s a hero ingredient in our moisturising serums and nourishing facial oils, supporting skin’s natural repair processes while you rest. It also ties us back to the hedgerows, where bees buzz amongst wild roses each summer.
Sustainability and sourcing
Rosehips are a by-product of wild rose bushes, making the oil a sustainable choice. Our suppliers use careful cold-pressing to retain its nutrient profile.
Fun fact
In the 1980s, rosehip oil was studied in Chile and shown to reduce wrinkles, scars and sun damage, cementing its reputation as a natural anti-ageing oil.
Used in
- Neve’s Bees Moisturising Serum (sensitive and normal skin)
- Neve’s Bees Nourishing Facial Oils (sensitive and normal skin)
Final thoughts
Rosehip oil is all about radiance, renewal and natural vitality. It’s a gentle powerhouse that brings both glow and strength, while connecting us to the wild roses that sustain bees and birds alike.
Julie Macken
After graduating with a Chemistry Degree and subsequent MBA, Julie spent 25 years 'in corporate life' working in Sales and Marketing for companies including Unilever and GSK. Her 'aha moment' came whilst running a marketing workshop in Brazil persuading South Americans to eat plastic-packed frozen chips instead of fresh potato.
Realising there were more fulfilling ways to utilise her skills, Julie founded Neve's Bees a family skincare business – creating a unique range of waterless skincare, using only natural and sustainable ingredients blended with Oxfordshire beeswax, promoting healthy skin and a healthy eco-system. Following a lifelong passion, Julie is also studying part time for a degree in Traditional Herbal Medicine.
Julie lives in Rural Oxfordshire with her husband, 2 children, 3 cats, 4 hens, 5 beehives, 6-acre wildflower meadow…and Bella the Dog.
