At Chez Sylvie Naturals, every ingredient decision starts with one question: is this truly the best we can offer your skin?
Rosehip seed oil has long been celebrated in natural skincare — and for good reason. It's rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and essential fatty acids, and for years it was a staple in our facial oil formulations. But after careful research and reformulation, we made the decision to move on. Here's why.
The Problem with Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is a beautiful oil — but it comes with some significant practical drawbacks that affect both your experience and the efficacy of your product.
It has a strong, unpleasant odour when unrefined. Pure, non-refined rosehip seed oil has a distinctly fishy smell — not exactly the sensory experience we want for a spa-like botanical ritual. Refined versions eliminate the odour, but the refining process removes beneficial components and still doesn't solve the stability problem.
It has a high iodine value. A high iodine value is an indicator of how quickly an oil oxidizes. Rosehip seed oil's high iodine value means it goes rancid faster than many other plant oils — even when stored correctly.
It has a short shelf life. Rosehip seed oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which makes it highly susceptible to oxidation. Once oxidized, the oil degrades — losing its potency and potentially becoming irritating to the skin. This means a shorter window between production and use, and less flexibility for you as the customer.
What We Use Instead: Cacay Oil
Cacay oil (Caryodendron orinocense) is one of the most exciting botanical oils in modern skincare — and it has become a cornerstone of our reformulated facial oils.
Here's why we made the switch:
- Superior Vitamin A content. Cacay oil contains approximately three times more natural Vitamin A (retinol precursors) than rosehip seed oil — making it a more potent, plant-based alternative for supporting cell turnover and collagen production.
- Greater oxidative stability. Cacay has a lower iodine value than rosehip, meaning it resists rancidity far longer. Your facial oil stays fresh, potent, and effective throughout its shelf life.
- No unpleasant odour. Cacay has a clean, neutral scent — allowing the natural botanicals and essential oils in our formulations to shine without interference.
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing. Its elegant skin feel is comparable to rosehip — without the drawbacks.
Our Commitment: The Best Plant Oils, The Longest Shelf Life
This change reflects something fundamental about how we formulate at Chez Sylvie Naturals. We deliberately select oils with proven stability — low iodine values, resistance to oxidation, and long-term potency — so that what arrives at your door, and what remains on your bathroom shelf months later, is as effective as the day it was made.
We pair these stable base oils with Rosemary CO2 extract and Vitamin E as natural antioxidant preservatives — working quietly in the background to protect every drop.
Your skin deserves fresh, potent botanicals. Every time.
Stay tuned — a new botanical facial oil is coming soon, formulated with everything we've learned. You're going to love it.
