The Science of Rhodiola Rosea in Skin Care

Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root or arctic root, is an herb commonly found in cold regions of Europe and Asia. Traditionally, it has been used in folk medicine to combat fatigue, reduce stress, and improve overall health. However, rhodiola rosea is also used as a topical ingredient in skin care products for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, I explain more about what this ingredient is, what it does, and who can most benefit from adding it to their skin care regimen.

Rhodiola rosea is known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties in skin care.

It contains bioactive compounds that aid in collagen production and protection.

When used topically, this ingredient comes with few side effects – but oral use can cause dizziness and excess salivation.

What Is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is a hardy perennial herb known for thriving in harsh, cold environments such as the arctic regions of Europe and Asia. It is also referred to as “golden root” or “arctic root” because of its yellowish rhizome and its remarkable ability to survive in extreme climates. It has been used in herbal medicine for centuries, thanks to its adaptogenic properties, meaning it helps the body adapt to physical, environmental, and psychological stressors.

Most recently, rhodiola rosea has been studied for its skin benefits, especially its potential to protect the skin from oxidative stress and boost collagen production. Collagen, a key protein in the skin, is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and overall structure. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to sagging skin, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity. Environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution can also accelerate collagen breakdown.

Rhodiola rosea’s bioactive compounds – particularly its antioxidants like rosavin, salidroside, and tyrosol – work together to protect collagen fibers from oxidative damage and prevent the breakdown of existing collagen. Moreover, these compounds help to stimulate fibroblast activity, the cells responsible for synthesizing collagen.

Active Compounds in Rhodiola Rosea

Let’s take a closer look a the active compounds that give rhodiola rosea its many skin benefits:

Rosavin. Rosavin is one of the primary active compounds in rhodiola rosea, and it belongs to a class of compounds called phenylpropanoids. Phenylpropanoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them highly beneficial for protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can otherwise cause premature aging. Additionally, rosavin stimulates fibroblasts (the cells responsible for producing collagen), enhancing the skin’s natural ability to rebuild and repair itself.

Salidroside. Salidroside is particularly beneficial for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Salidroside is a type of glycoside, a compound that consists of a sugar molecule bound to another molecule. Glycosides are known to help stabilize and deliver active ingredients to the skin, enhancing their effectiveness. Salidroside also helps to neutralize free radicals, support cellular repair by promoting healthy cell turnover, and reduces inflammation.

Tyrosol. Tyrosol is a phenolic compound with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been studied for its role in reducing oxidative damage, protecting against cellular stress, and calming inflammation, both in the body and skin. Tyrosol also helps to regulate melanin production, improving the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.

Flavonoids. Rhodiola rosea also contains a range of flavonoids, which provide additional antioxidant protection. These compounds help to improve signs of aging by supporting collagen within the skin and protecting against DNA damage caused by UV light, air pollution, and other environmental stressors.

Benefits of Rhodoila Rosea for Skin

Rhodiola rosea is best known for its ability to stimulate collagen and protect the skin from free radical damage that can otherwise contribute to signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, and sagging. However, that’s not all this ingredient can do for your skin. Here are some of its most notable benefits in skin care:

Supports collagen production. The bioactive compounds in rhodiola rosea like rosavin and salidroside stimulate the cells that make collagen and repair and replace damaged cells, helping your skin to look healthier and younger. The many antioxidants in this ingredient help to protect existing collagen from oxidative damage, preserving skin elasticity and firmness over time.

Brightens skin tone. Tyrosol found in rhodiola rosea brightens skin tone by helping to regulate the production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color.

Free radical protection. Rhodiola rosea’s antioxidant compounds help to protect the skin from damaging environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution, reducing oxidative stress that leads to aging.

Reduces redness and inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of salidroside and tyrosol make rhodiola rosea effective at calming redness, irritation, and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.

Side Effects of Rhodiola Rosea

When used topically, rhodiola rosea generally comes with few side effects and is safe for most people. However, oral use of this botanical can cause side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, or the production of excessive saliva.

Best Skin Care Products with Rhodiola Rosea

Some of the best skin care products that contain rhodiola rosea are aimed at improving signs of skin aging and brightening areas like under the eyes. SkinMedica, for example, has an eye mask that contains this brightening ingredient to remove dark circles under the eyes and reduce inflammation.

Bottom Line: IS Rhodiola Rosea Right for Me?

Rhodiola rosea is a versatile ingredient that offers a range of benefits for many different skin types. Its ability to protect against environmental damage, calm inflammation, and aid in collagen production makes it particularly effective for those with sensitive, dry, or aging skin.

If you are still not sure if this ingredient could be right for you, take the quiz below to find your Baumann Skin Type and get a customized skin care regimen that’s a match for your skin’s unique needs.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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