Review: Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil

Face oils can be a mixed bag because for the most part, if you end up disliking a scent or consistency, little else is going to redeem the tiny bottle of oil for you. It’s best to be cautious when going for an oil, especially since every other day sharp marketing tries to introduce something we already know as a brand new miracle ingredient: Today it’s blueberries, tomorrow it’s camellias, and olive oil will have its day just like argan had its year. But I trust Pai Skincare, as far as brands go, and I was itching for something my skin could really soak up at night, so I decided to give their Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($40) a whirl.

Rosehips are one of those one-stop-shops that only nature can provide, not science. The brightly coloured fruit of the rose plant is high in anti-oxidants including vitamins A, C and E, all of which are superstar ingredients. Vitamin A stimulates the dermis, which is where we find collagen, elastin and blood vessels, so it helps slows the normal breakdown that aging brings; vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and promote a healthy radiance; vitamin E maintains the moisture barrier of the skin itself. The rich supply of fatty acids in rosehip oil is also excellent at keeping the skin properly nourished, and for an added punch, Pai Skincare’s version blends rosehip seed oil with rosehip fruit oil: according to the brand, the latter “contains five times the carotenoids and twice the regenerative sterols.” (Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants in their own way, and protect from free radicals.)

I know I could’ve just mentioned that I like the oil before launching into its nutrient content, but that’s the thing to be cautious with with the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: it’s so strong that you tend to underestimate it very easily. The orange fluid looks thin but spreads thickly, making the product easy to overuse in your first few attempts. Two or three drops really do the trick, and once patted in, they do restore suppleness to the complexion almost immediately. I’ve often heard that vitamin A penetrates the skin at a much deeper level than most antioxidants, but man, does it takes its time too–unless your skin is really parched, the BioRegenerate Oil does, in my experience, need at least 10 minutes to sink in comfortably. I do feel that the oil works better as a night serum than a daywear staple, as the luxurious fatty acids do prevent sunscreen from adhering properly at times.

That aside, I do admit that this is an excellent facial oil, and I’d venture it would be especially effective for anyone with significantly dry skin. There’s barely a scent that would offend, and what little there is smells very faintly like warm earth and young bark. Consistent usage does up the base radiance in your skin tone, and in the summer, I foresee myself switching out my night cream for a thin layer of the BioRegenerate oil and still waking up with plump, plush skin. Now and then, the oil does work well on scrappy elbows and knees too, and for special occasions, two drops on your blending sponge will impart a lit-from-within glow without the fuss of highlighters or aggressive contouring.

I suppose everything in the world would be better if it were cheaper, but that aside, it’s hard to find fault with the product: it is what it says it is, and with no interferences from silicones, minerals and chemicals like alcohol or sulphates, it does what it says it does without offending. Unless you’ve open cuts, extremely oily skin or clinically significant skin conditions on your face, it’s hard to imagine a skin type this oil wouldn’t work well with; the body just seems to recognize that this orange-yellow stuff is similar to the orange-yellow stuff in carrots, and once that’s done, your skin just gets on with it. The little bottle packs a big punch, and I definitely see myself getting another once it finally runs out.

Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($40)

Main image via @paiskincare