Heres a fun fact about rosehip oil: it does not smell like roses. It does, however, heal. Known as the Himalayan musk rose, this wild flowering plant has only five petals, says Roshni Laura George, who discovered the elusive bloom during her honeymoon in Kashmir, as she was researching medicinal plants through the country in the remotest parts of the valley. Every May, the musk rose bushes burst into bloom, covering trees, tumbling over cliffs and blanketing the earth with their heady scent. The hip, a powerhouse of essential nutrients, is what is left once the petals fall. Thats where the oil is extracted from, explains George, who preserved this juice in Timekeeper, a vivid amber face oil that launched her skincare brand, Rasula. We do not bleach, colour or deodorise our rosehip oil as this would deplete its natural goodness. The oil is hardly oily, the red lingers for just a few seconds before your skin drinks it up, and its nutty smell is so distinct that you can only assume it came from the roses hip. George promised it would become my one-step skincare routine (followed by sunscreen in the day, of course) and my combination-dehydrated- acne-prone-moody skin might agree.

Rosehip oil can handle the fussiest skin types. Two reasons: vitamin F and beta carotene. Vitamin F is an essential fatty acid, rich in omega-6, which produces ceramide 1, a key part of a healthy skin barrier. Beta carotene is an antioxidant that gives the oil its rich orange hue. It can neutralise free radicals from the environment, protect against UVA damage, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance the appearance of skin. Essential fatty acids in the rosehip oil are absorbed by the skin to regenerate collagen and elastin fibres that keep the skin firm and youthful, explains George. In short, it helps your skin fight for itself.

George aimed to create category-defining natural skincare for photo-aged skin. Three years of research working closely with leading institutions like IIM Jammu and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in Bengaluru, led to Rasula, a clean beauty brand that comes without parabens, SLS, and artificial fragrance, among other nasties. Rasulas products are handcrafted and packed by hand in recyclable glassware, and its rosehip is hand-picked from the Himalayan Range by the local women of Kashmir. While common extraction practices include cold-pressing, George took a more expensive, environmentally friendly approach to ensure her oil was more concentrated, cleaner and superior, with a longer shelf life. We flush supercritical CO2 under high pressure through the seeds, which gently removes the oil, explains George. And if youre still not convinced, know this: rosehip oil is the most inclusive ingredient in skincare. Suitable for all skin types and age groups, including pregnant women and children, the oil helps eradicate a host of skin issuesscars, burns, fine lines, stretch marks, acne, dryness, sensitivity, sun damage, uneven skin tone, age spots, eczema and more. Most importantly, it is gender-neutral, says George.

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Heres why natural ingredients and science-backed formulations are the perfect combination - Vogue India