The beauty component du jour is rosehip oil—especially with the sun damage we wreaked on our skin this past season. Rosehip oil is a remarkable natural product with amazing skin and hair conditioning properties and has been used for generations by the Andean Indians of Chile. Brimming with nutrients and vitamins, it can be used both externally and taken internally.

Rosehip oil is nutrient-dense (it contains trans retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, and lycopene, plus essential fatty acids omega-3 and -6), is quick to absorb, and won’t leave a greasy residue behind, making it practical on all skin types.

Rosehip oil is used in many beauty products, such as creams and sprays, or it can be found in its pure form in smaller quantities. You’ll find it in dark bottles, because overexposure to the light can reduce the potency of its ingredients.

Here are 7 amazing uses for this revitalizing and rejuvenating super-ingredient:

1. Dry or Dull Hair Mask

Banish bad hair days by warming some Rosehip oil in a bowl or mug (not too hot, just slightly warmed) and massage it into hair and scalp. Wrap with a towel and relax for about an hour (perhaps with a cup of tea with rosehip??) and then wash thoroughly. You’ll be surprised at how soft and shiny your hair is.

2. All-Over Body Moisturizer

Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3 and -6. Apply rosehip oil directly to dry, cracked skin to nourish and re-hydrate. It’s especially effective on dry elbows, knees, heels and lips. You can also mix the oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz on your skin to re-hydrate and lock in the moisture immediately after showering.

3. Scar Treatment

Use pure rosehip oil on stretch marks, age spots, burns and scars. It’s astringent and skin nourishing properties will help to speed up the healing  process, as well as hydrate and moisturize these problem areas.

4. Dandruff

Rosehip oil is proven to help with dandruff and other similar scalp conditions. Simply massage pure rosehip oil into the scalp, leave it on for 30 minutes, then shampoo and see the huge difference it makes.

5. Sunburn

Apply rosehip oil to sunburn and feel the soothing effect immediately. The oil will also gently aid the healing process and reduce the inflammation.

6. Nourish Brittle Nails

Rosehip oil can nourish and hydrate brittle nails, making them stronger and healthier. Just massage your nails and cuticles every evening for a week with rosehip oil and watch your nails go from drab and cracked to fab and shiny!

7. Get Back Your Glow

Ros hip oil gives beautiful and natural glow to the face when used regularly; not only does it help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and even out your skin tone, but it will also give your skin a truly healthy glow.

If you find that rosehip oil is just too heavy for your skin, try adding only one or two drops of it to your usual skin moisturizer.