The rose plant family has many oil-producing plants in both tree and shrub form. In this one family, we find fruit trees like peaches, plums, and cherries, and shrubs like raspberries and blackberries.
You'll find a list of some of the oils from the rose family at the end of this post.
What is interesting is that the oils fall into two distinct groups.
The oils from the stone fruits that are high in Oleic acid, tend to be pale in color and make good base oils.
Then we have the berry and shrub oils that are high in Linoleic and alpha-Linolenic acid, the two essential fatty acids. These tend to be more deeply pigmented and often rich in antioxidants and other plant compounds if not overly refined.
Raspberry seed oil is high in both essential fatty acids so for this facial oil, I selected a base of apricot kernel oils and plum kernel oil and then added some rosehip seed oil along with raspberry seed oil and blackberry seed oil.
This is a light facial oil that has the antioxidants from the berry oils, good year round but especially beneficial for the summer months.
Rose Facial Oil Recipe
The recipe below is in parts
2 parts apricot kernel oil

2 parts plum oil

1 part rosehip seed oil

1 part blackberry seed oil

1/2 parts raspberry seed oil
Starting with teaspoons and tablespoons is a good way to get a feel for a new oil combination.
Once you have a formula you like you can transfer it into percentages or weights.
Download a copy of the recipe card and notes
Variations and Substitutions
Both apricot kernel oil and plum seed oil are high in monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid. They tend to be minimally pigmented with mild to no scent.
You could substitute peach kernel oil or almond oil for either of the two here.
The rosehip seed oil contributes the two essential fatty acids and if an unrefined version a good dose of antioxidant carotenoid pro-vitamin A.
The berry oils, in this recipe blackberry and raspberry seed oils are both high in the two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid.
They are also both, rich sources of anti-oxidants.
A note on rosehip seed oil and pigment
I’ve seen rosehip seed oils that are bright red in color and others that are quite pale. The lipid oils can vary quite a bit depending on the method and amount of refining involved!
If you have a highly pigmented rosehip seed oil, you can dilute it with almond oil or another neutral oil from the rose family.
I’ve found a 1:6 ratio works well. You still get the skin-nourishing benefits of the rosehip seed oil without creating a combination that might turn your skin temporarily orange!
In this recipe, we find a nice balance of skin-nourishing base carrier oils.
Rosehip seed oil ranges from pale gold to deep red.
Lipid Oils from the Rose Family
- Plum kernel oil
- Peach kernel oil
- Almond oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Rose hip seed oil
- Raspberry seed oil
- Blackberry seed oil
- Quince seed oil
- Apple seed oil
- Cherry kernel oil
- Strawberry seed oil
- Cloud berry seed oil
- Pear seed oil
Pear and apple seed oil are still relatively new to the market, and as time progresses I anticipate we will see more unique oils from this family!
What are you working on this summer? Leave a question or a comment below.
Recently I got into a plant called Virginia Creeper. It wasn’t very nice to me. Ended up in urgent care and right before vacation. My sister had me try a salve her friend makes out of dandelions and sells. I was on this medicated stuff the doctor ordered and pills for about a week and barely touched it. This salve she gave me the first day I was at her house. Washed all the medicated stuff off and put on the beautiful yellowish salve that almost instantly took itching and stinging away. Before bed repeated the process. I was amazed. She took pictures before, and then that morning and sent it to her friend. Needless to say I bought some before I left for home. So glad I did.
Anyway I read you could use the yellow flowers of the beautiful sunflower too. For some reason I planted a bunch of them a month before vacation. From little to giant ones. I’m in the process of drying all the yellow flower. I read where someone used different carrier oils, but I can’t find it again.
Any hints in the right direction would be appreciated.