DIY Rosehip Scar Serum + The Best Essential Oils for Scars

This rejuvenating skin serum is the perfect solution to help restore damaged skin and fade both new and old scars. Say goodbye to skin imperfections with a healing blend of rosehip seed oil, vitamin E, and the best essential oils for scars.

This homemade repair serum has quickly become a staple in my daily skincare routine. I've seen what oil cleansing can do for my skin, so I'm fully confident that slathering myself in the right oils will do the trick, leaving my skin soft and supple.

I'm a long time fan of the power of rosehip oil. I love using it on my face, so I decided to start applying it to old surgery scars. Massaging in a few drops of this scar oil each day has slowly made them less red and raised.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Usage
• Storage
• Top tip
• FAQ
• Essential oils

Ingredients

Rosehip seed oil — Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, [source] rosehip seed oil rejuvenates skin cells and tissue to improve elasticity and promote scar healing.

Pumpkin seed oil — This oil is loaded with vitamin E and carotenoids [source] to support healing and healthy skin.

Carrot seed essential oil — The powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties of carrot seed [source] can help speed healing. This oil has potent antioxidants that improve skin health and stimulate collagen for increased elasticity and firmness [source].

Frankincense essential oil — This powerful anti-inflammatory [source] speeds skin healing and helps prevent the inflammation that leads to more scar formation. A great essential oil for mature skin, it minimizes wrinkles and fine lines and can help reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes.

Lavender essential oil — Lavender oil is particularly effective in the beginning phase of scar treatment as it has been shown to speed up wound closure [source]. Another significant benefit is its ability to encourage the production of new tissue cells and collagen [source].

Vegetable glycerin — This hydrating ingredient gives the recipe a more serum-like consistency. It also provides it with staying power to last all day.

Vitamin E — This powerful, antioxidant-rich emollient is used to soften existing scars and also acts as a natural preservative.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

Hint: The skin must be closed and healing before using this serum. Don't use it on open cuts or incisions!

Substitutions

While these ingredients add rejuvenating power to your serum, you don't need them all to get good results.

Vegetable glycerin — To simplify things, you can leave the glycerin out and replace it with more carrier oil.

Pumpkin seed oil — You can replace this oil with more rosehip seed oil or a different carrier oil that supports skin healing:

• Coconut oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients that support skin healing while sealing in moisture.
• Almond oil contains vitamin E,  while its anti-inflammatory properties [source] will assist in healing the skin. 
• Jojoba oil contains antioxidants, and it is also naturally rich in vitamin E, which hydrates and soothes the skin.
• Olive oil has antioxidants and hydrating fatty acids that nourish, heal, and moisturize.

Essential oils for scars — This is where the anti-inflammatory superpowers of essential oils come in [source]. These potent plant oils are one of the best ways to fade and minimize scars, as essential oils actively work against inflammation and infection, providing quicker healing times and improving the appearance of scars.

• Helichrysum — Often the go-to oil for injuries, this skin-loving oil soothes rashes, relieves infections, and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties [source]. This oil maximizes wound healing by stimulating the production of new skin cells, which helps prevent heavy scarring and softens existing scars.
• Geranium — Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties [source] encourage healing and reduce the chance of scarring. Animal studies with geranium have demonstrated its effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory that may be used to treat skin conditions like eczema [source]. The oil is a natural cicatrizant, promoting the closing and healing of wounds, which makes it very effective for use with newly forming scars.
• Tea tree —This antiseptic oil is a multi-tasking staple in aromatherapy—thanks to its potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties [source]. Tea tree's anti-inflammatory qualities make it ideal for assisting the healing process and preventing infection. It supports the efforts of the immune system in healing wounds, which brings further benefits as a healthy body responds better to injuries.
• Neroli — This is a healing oil that reduces pain and inflammation in the skin [source], while its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity [source] minimizes irritation of the healing area. Neroli oil promotes collagen formation and fights free radicals with compounds like ɣ-terpinene, nerol, and geraniol [source].
• Patchouli — This soothing oil calms irritated skin and stimulates cell turnover, helping wounds to heal faster and preventing scarring [source]. Patchouli increases collagen production and boosts the regenerative tissues of the skin to improve elasticity, making it useful for a range of skin concerns like acne, eczema, and cracked or irritated skin [source].

Variations

Everyone's skin is different, and certain techniques may work better for some than others. Here are some recipe variations to take advantage of the skin-regenerating, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties of essential oils.

Scar massage oil — Create a scar massage oil with 5 drops of each frankincense, helichrysum, and lavender mixed with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Apply this mixture to the scarred area and gently massage it in circular motions for a few minutes each day.

Scar oil roll-on — Pick 2 or 3 of your favorite scar-fighting essential oils and add 10–12 drops total into an empty 10 mL rollerball bottle. Fill the remainder of the bottle with carrier oil and replace the cap. Here are a few essential oil scar blends for use in roll-ons:

Scar Healing Blend:

• 5 drops frankincense
• 3 drops lavender
• 3 drops helichrysum

Skin Regeneration Blend:

• 6 drops neroli
• 6 drops geranium

Soothing Scar Blend:

• 4 drops patchouli
• 3 drops lavender
• 2 drops tea tree

Cell Renewal Blend:

• 4 drops helichrysum
• 3 drops frankincense
• 2 drops geranium

See this post on how to make aromatherapy roll-ons for more recipe ideas.

Usage

For the face — Apply about ½ teaspoon of serum to clean and slightly damp skin twice a day. Since my skin is naturally dry, I slather it on right after rinsing my face in the morning and as part of my p.m. routine. I also swear by it after spending time in the sun.

Not only does the oil help trap moisture in the skin, but the water actually helps the oil absorb better, so it doesn't just sit on my face, giving it a nice, oily sheen. For even better results, apply after using a toner like witch hazel, green tea, or apple cider vinegar to shrink pores and lock in vitamins and minerals.

Gently massage your face with a gua sha tool or your fingertips to boost circulation.

For the body — If you have a particular trouble spot, apply it 1 to 2 times a day directly to the area and massage it in. Massaging improves circulation and may help break down scar tissue and improve healing [source].

To be safe, perform a patch test on a small section of your skin to make sure the oil mixture does not cause any irritation or reaction. Put a few drops inside your arm and leave it for 24 hours. If no symptoms arise, you are in the clear.

You'll get about a dozen uses out of this serum. Results usually take about 4 to 8 weeks to show, depending on the nature of your scar.

Storage

Store the serum in a dark glass bottle to preserve its effectiveness. Keep it in a cool, dry spot and use it within 2 months.

If the oil starts to smell rancid, has changed color significantly, or has become thick and sticky, it may have gone bad and should be discarded.

FAQ

Essential oils

More essential oil remedies right this way:

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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