Most women use or have used products with retinol to achieve great looking skin because it works. I used these products for years for acne and then later for it's anti-aging properties and liked how it make my skin look.
The drawback to using retinols like Retin-A is that it makes the skin very sensitive. If I were to get my eyebrows waxed I would need to discontinue use of retinols for a few days before otherwise my skin would become so irritated it was almost raw. This fact was a bit alarming because it made me wonder what it was really doing to my skin but I didn't know what else to use to get the same results. I had never heard of any natural retinol alternative.
When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter I learned that retinols are not recommended for pregnant women because of the amount of vitamin A exposure. Overuse of vitamin A has been linked to birth defects and since retinols are a form of vitamin A they are not recommended.
Some studies done about Vitamin A show that it should not to be taken in high doses because it can cause permanent brain damage if taken orally. In addition, there are studies now that are indicating that you might not want to apply this topically because it can cause skin damage as well. Retinol is very powerful and if it is used on sensitive skin or used too often, it can begin to harm the texture of your skin, causing it to look weathered. Because it can strip the layers of the skin, those newly exposed layers are now going to be subjected to the dangers of the surrounding environment, causing it to age prematurely.
There is also some concern that applying retinol skin products will add to the vitamin A stores in your body. This might be building up this toxic vitamin in the nervous system, causing long term damage. During pregnancy these higher levels of Vitamin A might cause a higher risk of birth defects and developmental delays.
An Effective Natural Retinol Alternative
After learning all of this information I was determined to find a natural retinol alternative that would produce similar results. I came across some interesting information about rose hip seed oil and it's anti-aging properties. Rose hip seed oil is an amazing natural oil, which has only recently become recognized by the general public. The popularity is for a good reason because it is believed to be the best oil available for anti-ageing and skin rejuvenation. Numerous scientific studies have also taken place, which have yielded astounding evidence supporting the use of Rose hip Seed oil.
In 1983 the University of Santiago conducted research on 180 individuals using rose hip seed oil. The tests studied people with extensive facial scarring, acne scarring, deep wrinkles, UV damage, radiation damage, burn scars, surgical scars, premature aging, dermatitis, and other skin related problems. In these tests, rose hip seed oil regenerated the skin, reduced scars and wrinkles, prevented the advancement of wrinkles and aging, and helped skin to regain its natural color and tone.
Another well-known study in 1988 was conducted on twenty women between the ages of 25-35 with extensive premature aging to their skin. Their skin was wrinkled, and had sun spots from overexposure to the sun. After four months of applying rose hip seed oil daily, their wrinkles and sun spots had almost completely disappeared, and the skin had a fresher and healthier look. After reading about these studies I was really excited to try rosehip seed oil as a natural retinol alternative.
But, Does it work in real life?
I have been using rose hip seed oil in my own homemade skin serums as a natural retinol alternative for a couple of years and have had great results. In fact, my skin is better then ever. Rose hip seed oil has worked better then any retinol products I have ever used. My skin tone is even, all of the red marks and acne scarring has disappeared, and my skin is smoother and softer then ever. I couldn't be happier with the results.
Although you can use rosehip seed oil all on it's own, you may want to try something that includes a mixture of oils for even more skin-nourishing benefits. Combining it with other moisturizing oils creates an all in one facial oil that can be used day or night. For my own skin, I created this facial serum which I my which has completely changed the look of my own skin. If you are looking for a natural alternative to your anti-aging products, rose hip seed oil is it.
Hummm, I can’t seem to get the link to work. Is it just me, or is anyone else having this trouble?
I know, I have been having some issues today. I think it’s working now but it not you can read it on the home page http://www.theholisticmama.com sorry about that!!!
No worries; I thought it might just be me, as I’ve had some computer issues lately, too. Thanks!
Hey there! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for the
excellent info you have got right here on this post.
I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.
Hi! Just wondering, is the recipe for your Renewing Faciel Serum in your e-book?
No, the recipe for the serum I sell on my site is not in the book. There is a differed facial oil recipe in that book.
Ok,thank you! 🙂
Are there recipes for serums such as vitamin C serums in your book?
Hi Mona, There are two facial oil (serum) recipes in my book. One is a vitamin e serum and the other is an herbal serum. Let me know if you have any other questions about the book I’d be happy to help.
Rosehip oil does not contain any Vitamin C as it is a water-soluble vitamin. Rosehip fruit contains vitamin C but the oil does not
What about carrott seed oil . Is that also good to use as a retinal alternative because it has the vitamin A aswell ….. right ?
I’m going to purchase ur serum I’m just wondering what you recommend as an eye cream. Thank you
I personally don’t use an eye cream but I would bet that any natural oil would work or even a beeswax salve
Hi, I was looking for rosehip oil safety in pregnancy and came across your website. I read in Wikipedia that rosehip oil contains tretinoin, and some websites in Google say that topical tretinoin should be avoided in pregnancy. What do you think? Thanks.
Interesting, I haven’t heard that!
Tretinoin is the pharmaceutical (lab created) form of vitamin A. That’s the generic. Rose hip oil is completely natural and is in NO way related AT ALL to Tretinoin. If you see something called Tretinoin for sale it is lab created vitamin A or “Retin-A” as most of us know it. It’s almost impossible to picture rose hip oil being unsafe during pregnancy but if you’re worried hold off, still I can’t imagine it would be harmful. It’s so full of vitamins and essential fatty acids it would probably be useful in keeping you from getting stretch marks or treating them afterward. Rose hip oil is a super safe oil — think olive oil. It’s equally safe and good for you as olive oil.
Thanks for the comment, I totally agree!
As an example, in the United States, foods qualify as natural
if they fulfill NOP Program Requirements.
I am 78 and have some sun damage to my face…red spots and although I am not overly wrinkled I do have rather deep wrinkles between my nose and chin that kind of drag me down, I notice. I consume mostly organic foods.
Do you recommend Rose Hip Seed Oil on its own or a serum that is similar to Retinol…or nothing?
Rosehip seed oil or a serum that contains it would be great. It is natural version of retinol which is really vitamin a. It can help with sun damage and wrinkles so I think it’s perfect for what you are looking for!
Hi Roxanne! I’ve battled acne since my early teens. Now in my 30s, my battle centers around these pesky flat red dots all over my cheeks/jawline. The spots are very noticeable and in the hundreds. Any suggestions? I’d rather not burn my skin with retinol – I’ve seen what those can do, but I would LOVE to look like I’m 31 not 15. Thanks!
Hi Lauren, have you tried the oil cleansing method? Send me an e-mail roxanne@theholisticmama.com and we’ll figure it out
Hi there.. Just wondering.. Is it suitable for combination to oily skin? Do you think it helps in getting rid of my freckles that I’ve got since I was little?
Yes! Works well on combination sking
I so appreciate people posting alternatives to harsh commercially-manufactured anti-aging products like retinol. I have pretty sensitive skin (I wash my face with water, or sometimes with an oil-based cleanser because anything else leaves me red and my skin feeling tight and even burning), so I was hesitant to try the harsh stuff even as my poor 38 year old face became hashed with crows feet and my neck started to turn into a waddle. It’s such a bummer. I found your site and tried rose hip seed oil for about a year as a night moisturizer (along with emu oil and occasional vitimin E oil). It didn’t work. But I’m really glad I found this and that I tried it because now I know I’ve done my best and can either take the plunge with the scary harsh stuff or try try try to ignore everything society tells me about how women are supposed to look and how we are valued. Man I wish it were as easy as rose hip seed oil, but it’s all part of the journey. Thanks for giving me a path to try on mine <3