Dog rose essential oil on small bottles
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Want the secret to celebrity skin like Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham? These glowing gals swear by rosehip seed oil to keep their skin looking smooth and feeling soft. Extracted from the berry-like fruit of wild roses, this antioxidant-rich oil is packed with beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin A—all of which have anti-inflammatory properties. Homemade rosehip oil is not only simple to make, but the process allows you to know exactly what's going onto your skin.

Take a bunch of rose hips and remove any debris or rotten pieces. Cut off the hairy heads and tails. Roughly chop the rose hips with a knife.

Place the rosehip pieces into a slow cooker set on low. Slowly add in your carrier oil and simmer the mixture for 4 to 8 hours.

Strain the oil mixture through a jelly strainer or piece of cheesecloth. To ensure that the oil is as clear as possible, fold the cheesecloth into a three- or four-layer square, stretch it over a bowl, and hold it place with a rubber elastic. Strain the oil over the cheesecloth until it runs clear.

Pour the oil into dark-colored jars and store in the refrigerator to keep it from going rancid.

Tip

Dried rose hips are available in many health food or craft stores.

Sweet almond, apricot kernel, and evening primrose are suitable carrier oils. Almond and apricot oils absorb relatively quickly but can leave an oily film on the skin. Evening primrose oil has a very thin consistency and leaves very little oiliness on the skin. Avoid mineral oil (what baby oil is made of), which is derived from petroleum.

Test the rosehip oil on a patch of skin before applying it to a larger area, especially if you're acne-prone. If it breaks you out on your face, use it as a cuticle softener, scalp moisturizer, or stretch mark remedy instead.

To use the oil as a day moisturizer, massage it into your skin after a shower. For an evening moisturizer, apply four to six drops before bed.