After Struggling With Dull Skin for Years, This $16 Face Oil Helped Brighten My Complexion Almost Overnight

As someone with naturally dry skin, I typically prefer the thickness of a cream to quench my parched skin. But facial oils can be just as hydrating and powerful in your beauty regimen, especially if they contain a rose ingredient. Yes, roses aren’t just for whimsically scattering on bed spreads (do people really do that?)—they also have a lot of antioxidants and vitamins that can help boost your skin’s overall health. Case in point: the Heritage Store Rose Oil Nourishing Treatment that you may have spotted at your local Whole Foods.

I stumbled upon this product after my skin got a literal glow up from using the Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Mist, and I had to add more of the brand’s offerings to my skin-care cabinet. But this one is even more of a game-changer. The solution is an elixir of different oils designed to hydrate, brighten and smooth your skin’s texture, even reducing the look of fine lines. It does this using two key ingredients: rosehip oil and squalane.

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Heritage Store Rose Oil Nourishing Treatment — $16.00

Made with rosehip oil and squalane, this elixir of oils is a powerhouse for hydration and smoothing your skin’s texture.

FYI, rosehip oil is kind of a jack of all trades ingredient, in that it can target a bunch of skin-care concerns. “It can do wonderful things for your skin, from firming and tightening the complexion to fading dark spots and scars,” herbalist and holistic well-being expert Olivia Clementine previously told Well+Good. Part of the reason is that it’s chock-full of vitamin C and vitamin E, two ingredients that help protect against environmental stressors and free radical damage that can age our skin. In fact, one study showed that the combo of the two vitamins guard the skin from long-term sun damage.

Additionally, this solution has got a ton of squalane. That’s the derivative form of squalene, which is a lipid that’s naturally produced in our bodies for hydration. Unfortunately, the amount of squalene we produce decreases with age (whomp whomp). But squalane is the more stable of the two and has the same moisturizing and calming effect.

First Impressions:

I’m usually hesitant to introduce a new product into my skin-care routine because I don’t want to trigger an acne flare up. Plus, oil and pores sometimes don’t play very nice. But since my skin loved Heritage Store’s rosewater spray, I decided to give this treatment a go. As a moisturizer, it’s pretty close to perfection. I was impressed by how quickly the oil absorbed into my skin. It isn’t that thick, so for those worried about potentially clogged pores, you’re in the clear here, IMO. My dry skin just soaked it up, and I have yet to experience any irritation or breakouts from using it in the last two months.

Overall, it’s not a greasy formula and it’s super breathable. You can apply more than once a day, and pair it with your other skin-care products if need be. Of course, all skin is different, but based on my own experience, I’d say this is formula is a safe bet for layering. Not to mention, the hydration lasts for hours. For example, while some formulas immediately absorb into skin and leave it parched minutes later, this one leaves your skin super dewy for 12+ hours (at least for me it did).

Results:

The biggest selling point (and something I did not expect) was how soft and bright the formula made my skin feel. Over the past several months, I applied some to my face and neck at night, followed by a layer of Aquaphor. That’s it. Each time I woke up to a much more balanced complexion. Even some of the faint laugh lines and creases around my eyes have become less noticeable due to the immediate increase in suppleness. All in all, the Rose Oil treatment softened my skin and kept it well-moisturized through the day and night. This helped make my skin look a lot healthier and more radiant in general.

But don’t just take my word for it. One reviewer also praised the oil’s smoothing skin powers. “Love the rose oil,” they raved. “I’ve been using it twice daily for months and see a big difference in my face and neck softness, smoothness, reduction of the deep vertical lines between my eyebrows and wrinkles around my eyes. The gentle rose scent is lovely and uplifting.”

Another reviewer echoed a similar sentiment and added that it pairs well under a moisturizer. “I love this nourishing—but non-greasy—facial oil. It absorbs quickly into my skin and provides lasting all-day hydration,” they wrote. “It is so relaxing to massage it into skin and use with my facial roller or gua sha facial facial massager. At night I layer it under my moisturizer but in the morning I sometimes use it alone. LOVE the fresh modern rose scent.”

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