How to Make Rose Hip Oil

Although we know that roses grew in ancient Egyptian gardens, we don’t know if the small seeded pod went into the making of rose hip oil. However, in the mid-1800s, making oils by combining vegetable or animal fats with rose hips became a popular hobby, and women rubbed them on their shoulders and necks to freshen up. Today, rose hip oil is common in cosmetics and soaps. With a few ingredients, you can make rose hip oil at home.

Tools

·  Rose hips

·  Carrier oil

·  Small crock pot (or mason jar)

1         Use dried or fresh rose hips. If you are buying them, the dried variety is usually the only kind you will find. Gather fresh rose hips from plants you are reasonably sure were not treated with chemical pesticides and herbicides.

2         Choose your carrier oil. Olive oil or even regular vegetable oil will do in a pinch, but some people prefer a lighter oil, such as almond oil, that leaves a smooth, satiny feel on the skin.

3         After removing any foreign debris from the rose hips, combine 2 cups of the carrier oil and 1 cup of rose hips in the bottom of a small crock pot. Stir well, set the crock pot on “Low,” cover and let it warm for at least 8 hours. A more natural but much slower method is to put the ingredients into a quart-size mason jar, cover and put in a windowsill for 3 weeks. If you choose the jar method, use only dried rose 

4         After the recommended amount of time, strain the oil through cheesecloth until no particles are visible. An easy way to do this is to fold the cheesecloth into a large square three or four layers thick and place it over the top of a small bowl. Use a large rubber band to hold the cheesecloth in place, but don’t pull it tight; leave enough of an indentation in the cloth that the oil won’t run over the top.

5         Pour the oil and rose hips into the cloth and let them slowly drain. Discard the rose hips and pour your new rose hip oil into a darkened bottle to store.