It’s no secret I love rosehip oil – I’ve been raving about it for months now. But, I’ve never told you which one I use, right?
*hangs head in shame*
Well, it’s time to reveal the mystery…
*drumroll*
A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C. Why settle for rosehip oil alone when you can throw vitamin C in the mix too?
What’s In A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C?
ROSEHIP SEED EXTRACT TO MOISTURISE SKIN AND PREVENT WRINKLESt
Don’t confuse rosehips with roses! Rosehip comes from the hips of roses, i.e. the radish-like ball roses leave behind after they blossom.
Rosehip oil has several skincare superpowers:
- Moisturising: It’s loaded with linoleic acid, a fatty acid that improves your skin’s barrier function and helps water stay in the skin. Together with vitamin C, it improves senile dryness and slows down aging, too!
- Anti-acne:aAcne sufferers have less linoleic acid in their sebum than people without acne. Adding it back in helps reduce the size of mini-comedones (mini pimples).
- Antiaging: Rosehip is a natural source of vitamin A, an antioxidant that destroys free radicals, boosts collagen and speeds up cellular turnover (i.e., the skin’s natural exfoliating process). That’s 3 ways to keep wrinkles at bay!
- Brightening: Vitamin A and linoleic acid help fade away sun spots and discolourations.
If you’re into natural skincare, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Related: Why Rosehip Oil Is My Go-To For Any Skincare Woe
ASCORBYL TETRAISOPALMITATE TO BRIGHTEN SKIN
Rosehip oil does contain vitamin C – but only a little. That’s why I’m thrilled A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C added an extra dose to the mix.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, to be precise. A mix of vitamin C with Isopalmitic Acid, this derivatives is oil-soluble, so it penetrate skin faster than any other form of vitamin C out there.
Once inside, it works like all other forms of vitamin C:
- Fights the free radicals that cause premature aging
- Boosts collagen production, keeping skin firm
- Increases UV photoprotection, helping to reduce sun damage
- Lightens dark spots and discolourations
Basically, it does what other forms of Vitamin C do. But, because it penetrates skin faster and more easily, it works better.
The catch? Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is third (out of 4 ingredients) on the label. This means there could be anywhere from 30% (super effective) to 1% (better than nothing). My guess is it’s somewhere in between.
Related: Is Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate The Best Form Of Vitamin C?
MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL TO MOISTURISE SKIN
Macadamia nut oil is an underrated skincare hero. It’s very similar to human sebum so it sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind.
The oil is loaded with fatty acids, including linoleic (an old friend), palmitoleic and oleic. These fatty acids are super moisturizing: they create a barrier on the skin that traps moisture in, keeping it soft and hydrated for hours.
The high amount of oleic acid also makes it more suitable for dry skin. Oily skin fares better with oils high in linoelic acid, instead.
Related: Oily Skin? Why You Should Stick To Oils Rich In Linoleic Acid
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C is a deep golden hue with a rich texture that sinks quickly into the skin.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
It’s the last step of your skincare routine at night.
Performance & Personal Opinion
A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C makes my skin glow on the spot.
I use it at night and, when I wake up in the morning, my skin looks a little brighter. It’s softer and more hydrated, too. My skin is on the dry side now (thanks, crappy London weather!) and this helps me keep it in good condition.
Plus, with all the antioxidants in here, I can rest assured a good share of free radicals are killed while I’m sleeping. Fewer free radicals = fewer wrinkles.
On the downside, A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C isn’t as good at fighting mini-pimples as pure rosehip oil. Just goes to show that no one size fits all.
If you’ve got dry skin like yours truly and want something to restore suppleness and glow, this’ll be one of your best skincare buys ever. If you’re on the oily side and prefer something that can help you fight breakouts too, stick to pure rosehip oil.
Who Is This For?
Dry skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Oily, acne-prone skin.
Packaging
A dark bottle with a dropper applicator. Sleek and practical.
Does A’Kin Rosehip Oil With Vitamin C Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A lightweight and fast absorbing potent facial oil to reduce visible signs of ageing, appearance of sun damage, pigmentation and age spots. | True. Notice that it promises to reduce the appearance of the signs of aging, not the signs themselves. In plain English, it makes them look less obvious, but it can’t get rid of them completely. |
| 80% users agree their skin looks more radiantˇ 76% of users agree their skin looks brighterˇ 93% of users agree their skin is nourishedˇ 76^ of users agree their skin looks dewy & freshˇ ˇResults based on an independent laboratory self-assessment study. |
These numbers sound impressive, but mean nothing. From the way the claim is worded, they probably just asked people if they thought their skin looks better. Most people are inclined to say yes to that (placebo effect, wanting to please researchers, etc). |
Price & Availability
£24.00 at Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
If you have dry skin, this is a great option to consider.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerate Facial Oil (£16.00)
- The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (£9.00)
Ingredients
Rosa canina (Rosehip) Seed Extract, Macadamia ternifolia Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract.
Do you think this is any good for combination skin? Seeing as combination skin is a mix between both?
Mirabel, I guess it depends on how oily your oily areas are. It’ll work better for dry areas but if your t-zone doesn’t pump out too much excess oil, you can apply it all over.