Rosehip oil is a rich natural emollient known for its antioxidant and skin rejuvenating effects. It is often used in the treatment of acne and hyperpigmentation, two of the most predominant skin disorders associated with childbirth. If you are a breastfeeding mom and are wondering whether it is safe to use this oil, this article will address common worries associated with the use of rosehip oil during lactation.
Why use rosehip oil during and after pregnancy?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can put a lot of pressure on the body. The stress of giving birth, the difficulty in balancing your daily activities, and the responsibility of caring for a tiny human can take their toll.
Rosehip oil is known to be one of the most effective natural remedies for skin care. It is a natural product, containing ingredients such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and tocopherols. These components help to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. It has antioxidant properties that are beneficial for skin health, as well as an ability to stimulate collagen production, which is necessary for promoting healthy skin cells.
Different studies have found that applying rosehip oil during pregnancy can protect your skin from dryness and eczema. It also makes stretch marks less visible and helps with a faster healing process after birth.
The oil protects against external environmental factors such as dirt, pollution, sweat, and sun damage by acting as a natural barrier on your skin. Rosehip oil also has anti-inflammatory properties known to help eliminate redness and irritation caused by acne or eczema.
The benefits of rosehip oil for breastfeeding moms
Rosehip oil can be used to provide relief from the itching, burning, and discomfort that comes with cracked skin on the nipple area. It is safe to apply only after breastfeeding as the oil should not be ingested by the baby. And it can also help to accelerate the healing of scars left behind by breastfeeding, which reduces the risk of infection.
Why are some people concerned about the use of rosehip oil while breastfeeding?
The main concern with using rosehip oil while breastfeeding or during pregnancy in general stems from its high content in vitamin A. Vitamin A is associated with birth defects when taken in high dosages.
But before you panic not that this does not apply to the vitamin A in rosehip oil for the following reasons:
- Rosehip oil contains a form of vitamin A called provitamin A (beta-carotene) which only gets converted into retinol (preformed vitamin A), the active form of vitamin A, once absorbed into the body. This is significant as the potency differs between the two forms. Provitamin A is thus, weaker than its counterpart and does not have the harmful side effects associated with preformed vitamin A.
- To date, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that vitamin A found in rosehip oil gets absorbed and resurfaces in breast milk.
- Most studies on the harmful effect of synthetic forms of Vitamin A (retinol) relate oral administration as opposed to its topical application
Can I use rosehip oil on my face while breastfeeding?
The short answer is yes. Rosehip oil is considered safe and scores 1 on a scale of 8 on Dr. Lact’s safety model for breastfeeding. This renowned database was created by a group of nonprofit doctors, software engineers, and data scientists to collect vital information and raise awareness on the numerous drugs and chemicals that breastfeeding mothers may be exposed to.
Can rosehip oil decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Absolutely not. There’s is no scientific evidence proving that the topical use of rosehip oil has an effect on the quantity of milk produced by pregnant women during lactation.
Conclusion
Rosehip oil is proposed as a natural remedy for common pregnancy-related skin conditions like eczema, melasma, acne, and stretch marks because of its rich anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. Although it contains a high amount of beta carotene, it poses no risk to pregnant women and nursing mothers as this is a provitamin A which doesn’t interfere with lactation.
To conclude, yes rosehip oil is safe to apply on your skin while breastfeeding. However, for security purposes always make sure you check with your doctor before using any new product.
Related content:
Bio-oil vs Rosehip Oil
Guidelines on how to use rosehip oil safely in pregnancy
Petra Nakashian (previously Kravos) is a dedicated natural health and beauty blogger, driven by the loss of her parents to cancer, which led her to meticulously research beauty product ingredients. With over 10 years of experience, her in-depth knowledge has made her a trusted expert in the field. Founder of Be Healthy Now and Green Beauty Talk, Petra recently expanded her expertise with Beauty Insights Hub, exploring a wider range of beauty treatments. Committed to transparency and honesty, her work is a vital resource for navigating the complex world of beauty.
