Ingredient spotlight: rosehip oil

Over the last few years rosehip oil has become an increasingly popular ingredient in many skincare products. Rosehip oil comes from the seeds of a rose bush that grows wild in South Africa and Chile. It contains 77% of fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic).

NZ brand Trilogy uses rosehip oil as its signature ingredient, as do Aussie brands Kosmea and Renew. Many other brands include pure rosehip oil as part of the ranges. Rosehip oil is excellent for moisturising the skin, preventing premature aging, and for fading scars.

Try these:

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil $22.90 for 20ml, and $38.90 for 45ml
Evolu Certified Organic Rosehip Oil 30ml $21
A’kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil 23ml $21.50
Egg Essential Care Organic Rosehip Oil 20ml $21.90
Kosmea Skin Clinic Certified Organic Rosehip Oil 15ml $26
Renew Certified 100% Organic Rosehip Oil 15ml $18.50 (also available in 25ml, not sure of the price)
Natio Certified Organic Rosehip Oil 15ml $23

Moisturisers

I'm currently not using a proper moisturiser; I'm using Natural Instinct Aloe Vera gel. It keeps my skin hydrated, doesn't clog pores, and it's only $12 (can be bought at Commonsense Organics and Homestead Health). I may switch to a proper moisturiser at some point, as winter is on its way and my skin may need a bit more nourishment.

I have tried Living Nature Balancing Day Lotion before. It's intended for normal to oily skin, and it's nice and light, and leaves the skin feeling pretty mattified. It's $45 at Hardy's, Health 2000, Farmers and selected pharmacies.

Another good option for oily or combination skin, which I used to use, is A'kin Unscented Pure Emergency Gel, $25.20, which is intended to cool and soothe the skin, but can also be used as a moisturiser on oily, sensitive or fragile skin.

Another A'kin moisturiser is White Tea & Aloe Vital Hydration Gel Creme, an oil-free moisturiser for combination and oily skin, $33.95. Akin products can be bought at Hardy's, Health 2000, Homestead Health and some pharmacies.

If you have dry skin, you might like to try Living Nature Nourishing Day Cream, $54, suitable for normal to dry skin, or Living Nature Rich Day Cream, for dry to mature skin, also $54.

Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Cream, $32.90, is another option for dry skin, and can also be used as a rinse-off face mask. Trilogy products can be bought at the same stores as listed for Living Nature.

If you are lucky enough to have normal skin, you could try Evolu Moisturising Day Cream for Normal or Combination Skin, $44, available at same stores as Living Nature and Trilogy (sorry, repeating myself a bit here). Or you could try Sukin Facial Moisturiser, $12, which is suitable for all skin types.

For sensitive skin, you could try the aforementioned A'kin Unscented Pure Emergency Gel, A'kin Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture ($34.90), or Evolu Moisturising Day Cream for Dry or Sensitive Skin ($44).

There's heaps of other options. For example:

For oily/problem skin: Miessense Purifying Moisturiser $51.95

For combination and oily skin: Evolu Moisturising Day Cream for Oily Skin $44, Antipodes Rejoice Light Day Cream Certified Organic $52.50

For normal to oily skin: Weleda Iris Moisture Cream $23.90

For normal to dry skin: Comvita Huni Every Day Moisturiser $45

For dry skin: The Herb Farm Rosehip Face Cream ($13.80 for 30ml, $22.20 for 60ml, $33 for 120ml), Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream $43.90, Miessense Rejuvenating Moisturiser $62.95

For sensitive skin: Miessense Soothing Moisturiser $62.95

For all skin types: Natural Instinct Facial Moisturiser $12, The Herb Farm Rose Face Cream ($13.80 for 30ml, $22.20 for 60ml, $33 for 120ml), Kosmea Replenishing Moisture Cream $38.95

Cleansers

Cleansers are an essential part of a good skincare routine. My personal favourite is Sukin's foaming facial cleanser, which can be bough for $12 at Health 2000 stores (and $9.90 at Commonsense Organics). It comes in both pump top and flip top lids.

I also like Weleda's Iris Cleansing Lotion which retails for about $19.90 at Health 2000 and Hardy's stores. I've also tried Skinfood's Cleans All cleanser, but found that too pore-clogging, and Natural Instinct's Foaming Facial Cleanser, which I found too drying. However, it may be alright for someone with oilier skin than me. I have combination/oily skin.

There's heaps of great cleansers out there, at a range of different prices. To list a few:

$10 and under: Skinfood Cleans All Cleanser $9.95

$15 and under: Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser $12, Sukin Cream Cleanser $12, Natural Instinct Foaming Facial Cleanser $12, Natural Instinct Cream Cleanser $12

$20 and under: Weleda Iris Cleansing Lotion $19.90, The Herb Farm Energising Gel Cleanser $18.60

$30 and under: Kosmea Purifying Cream Cleanser $30, A'kin Sandelwood & Neroli Pure Facial Cleansing Gel $28.90, A'kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in One $28.90

$40 and under: Living Nature Purifying Cleanser $38.00, Living Nature Vitalising Cleanser $38.00, Trilogy Cream Cleanser $38.90, Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser $39.00, Antipodes Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser $37.50, Evolu Relaxing Cream Cleanser $35, Comvita Huni Every Day Cleanser $39.00

Please note that these prices vary depending on where you shop.