David Gandy reveals supermodel skin secret is rosehip oil: We reveal the beauty benefits

This week, David Gandy revealed his ultimate skincare secret: rosehip oil. The male supermodel told an interviewer that the oil helps him to keep his skin hydrated, especially during long flights.

"I take 90-odd flights a year so my skin is constantly dehydrated," the model revealed. "An Australian make-up artist gave me her rosehip oil and it just seemed to do wonders."

Supermodel skin

Gandy isn't the only man taking more of an interest in his appearance; a recent study revealed that 54 per cent of men feel under pressure to take more care of their skin.

He's also not the first celebrity to rave about the benefits of rosehip oil. Miranda Kerr recently admitted to be a devotee, revealing that dabbing the oil onto her skin before going to bed gives her skin an amazing glow.

So what makes rosehip oil so special?

Rosehips are the seeds of the rose plant and oil is usually obtained from plants growing in the Chilean Andes, where the clean air and high altitude ensures the rosehips are the healthiest around.

The rosehips are then cold pressed. The oil from rosehips is considerably cheaper than pure rose oil - or rose otto - but it's incredibly rich in vitamin c, omega three and six and retinoic acid, which has been proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The oils also contains lycopene and beta-caroten, which helps to protect skin from external aggressors, and the oil also has astringent qualities, meaning it can shrink the capillaries lying just beneath the skin's surface, thereby reducing redness.

Unlike many facial oils, it's also absorbed by skin incredibly easily. "Rosehip is a dry oil, so it penetrates to the deepest layers of the skin where it regenerates skin cells, producing more collagen and elastin," explains aromatherapist Denise Leicester, founder of organic skincare brand Ila.

"It’s so light, you can even apply a small amount over make-up to perk up tired office skin, yet it is so moisturising that studies prove it reduces the appearance of scars and burns, too."

One of the first major studies which focused on the benefits of rosehip oil was conducted in 1983, and was carried out by researchers based at the University of Santiago.

The study involved 180 people who had some form of skin damage, ranging from facial scarring to sun damage or deep wrinkles, and researchers found that rosehip oil was extremely effective in helping skin to retain its natural colour and tone while also reducing the speed at which wrinkles developed.

In 1988, another study was carried out by scientists at the University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru and School of Pharmacology of the University of Missouri.

A group of women who had suffered premature ageing caused by sun damage were given rosehip oil to apply to their skin. After four months, their wrinkles had reduced and their sun spots had almost completely disappeared.

Deborah Mitchell, Kate Middleton's facialist and the founder of Heaven Skincare, uses rosehip oil in her LIA therapy treatment, which is also popular with Gwyneth Paltrow.

"Rosehip is perfect for all ages and skin types, including those with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea and acne," says Deborah. "I add a drop to moisturiser to boost the results."

"Rosehips were a remedy that was used by the ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans all because of their healing properties - the oil can be made by cold press or by slow-cooking it," according to Joanna Vargas, facalist to the stars and founder of Joanna Vargas skincare.

"I think the beauty industry is turning more and more to these healing ingredients as an alternative to the chemicals we have relied on in the recent past."

Aromatherapy Associates Intensive Skin Treatment Oil will infuse instantly even very dry skin with moisture and contains soothing lavender and vitamin e in addition to rosehip oil. £44, uk.spacenk.com.

Melvita Rosehip Seed Oil's can be used alone under your moisturiser or added to your favourite cream or serum. £20, www.johnlewis.com.

Rosehip Oil can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and The Organic Pharmacy's rosehip-infused Stretch Mark Oil smells amazing, thanks to the addition of lavender and neroli. £19.95, www.selfridges.com.

Trilogy's Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + is an incredibly light oil which has been specially designed to improve the condition of skin while also helping to protect it from external aggressors. £22.70, www.naturisimo.com.

Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr is a range of products created by the Australian supermodel, and given her love of rosehip oil, it's no surprise that the ingredient has a starring role in several products, including the Luxurious Rosehip Body Oil. £45, www.net-a-porter.com.

Ila's Day Cream for Glowing Radiance contains rosehip seed extract and sandalwood. £66, www.net-a-porter.com.