There are two types of Sea Buckthorn oil. The seed oil comes from the tiny dark seeds of the fruit. The fruit oil comes from the pulp of the small, nutrient-rich, yellow-orange berries.
About Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Buckthorn Berry Boosts Over 190 Nutrients for the Skin
Sea Buckthorn Berry is becoming as popular as Pomegranate and Acai berry, because of its very impressive nutritional portfolio and how it is benefiting our skin.
- It contains over 190 nutrients and phytonutrients.
- It's Vitamin C content is 12 times higher than that of an orange.
- The seed and fruit oil are rich in nutrients such as carotenoids, tocotrienols, and tocopherols.
- They are loaded with antioxidants like phenols, terpenes, and glucosides; vitamins A, C, and E; beta-carotene; plant sterols.
- Very high in trace elements such as copper, iron, selenium, and manganese.
This berry also has as much Vitamin E as wheat germ, three times more Vitamin A than carrots, and four times more superoxide dismutase, an important enzyme that helps prevent free radical damage, than ginseng.
If that isn't enough, Sea Buckthorn is also the only plant source that contains omega 3, 6, 7, and 9, making this berry a complete omega family.
Sea Buckthorn Oil is Best For
- Aging skin
- Rosacea
- Acne
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for the Skin
With all those powerful nutrients, minerals, vitamins and free radical fighting enzymes, your skin is going to cry out for this little berries oil extracts.
Anti-Aging
Sea Buckthorn has a high level of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that fights free radical damage.
Breaks Apart Gylcation
Glycation is a skin symptom from an overload of glucose in the body. When we eat too much sugar, glucose proteins can attach to health collagen and elastin, causing early signs of aging. Sea Buckthorn can break apart the bindings of these proteins and heal the cellular structure of our much-needed collagen and elastin.
Sea Buckthorn for Rosacea
Sea Buckthorn oil is beneficial for rosacea, a chronic inflammatory condition that causes small red bumps on the face, because of Sea Buckthorn's very effective anti-inflammatory abilities.
Soften and Hydrate the Skin
With Sea Buckthorn's high Vitamin E content, this oil will deeply penetrate the skins layers, holding hydration and softening the tissue.
Sea Buckthorn for Acne
One of the best-known oils for combating acne. Topical Sea Buckthorn application softens, smooth's and strengthens the skin and reduces scarring, swelling, and inflammation, allowing the skin to break the inflammatory cycle and heal itself. Sea Buckthorn is a mild analgesic, which discourages scratching and picking that spreads bacteria and irritates the skin. It is also anti-microbial.
Using Sea Buckthorn Oil for the Face
Anti-aging Benefits
Sea buckthorn oil is an excellent source of antioxidants, which helps protect and repair skin to give it a youthful appearance. It also contains an exceptionally high level of vitamin C, which effectively brightens up skin, and evens out skin tone to improve the appearance of age spots and pigmentation. Other anti-aging benefits include accelerating skin cell turnover, stimulating collagen production, and improving skin elasticity.
Strengthens the Skin’s Natural Barrier
Incorporating sea buckthorn oil into your beauty routine is your best bet if you’re looking for a natural remedy to give your skin a healthy glow. Since it contains a ton of essential vitamins and fatty acids like linolenic acid, vitamin E, and palmitoleic acid, it’s particularly beneficial when it comes to maintaining the integrity of skin and strengthening its natural barrier.
Restores Balance and Moisture to the Skin
Sea buckthorn oil works wonders for providing skin with a boost of skin-supporting nutrients to restore balance and enhance moisture content. It contains a powerful mix of carotenoids, vitamins A, C, E, and omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 – all of which, are beneficial for achieving optimal skin health. Additional benefits include, softening skin, repairing and correcting sun damage, and improving the appearance of scars.
Using Sea Buckthorn Oil for the Body
Gives Skin a Sun-Kissed Glow
Sea buckthorn berries are known for their bright hue. The oil that’s derived from the plant shares the same orange-red hue and it gives your skin a mild sun-kissed glow when applied to the body.
Makes Skin Soft and Supple
Since sea buckthorn oil delivers a powerful blend of moisture-enhancing ingredients to skin, it works great as a moisturizing treatment for the body. Additionally, it has the ability to minimize the appearance of scars, improve rough skin texture, and nourish dry skin.
Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil or Fruit Pulp Oil?
Sea Buckthorn oil is available as an extraction from the seeds or from the fruit. So, what do we choose for our skin care?
As a whole, Sea Buckthorn contains a full spectrum of fatty acids, carotenoids, phospholipids, and minerals. These qualities are distributed in its seed, fruits, leaves and flowers in different proportions and quantity.
Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil:
Sea Buckthorn seed oil is a true nutritional anomaly: In this oil, you will find a near 1:1 ratio of 34% linoleic acid (Omega-6) and 32% alpha-linolenic acids (Omega-3). Alpha-linolenic acids help your body repair its cells, and provides the skin with deep moisturizing abilities. Sea Buckthorn seed oil also contains omega 9.
Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil:
The Fruit oil contains the EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Omega 6 and, perhaps more significantly, the rare and highly sought-after Omega 7 fatty acid. Research indicates that Omega 7 supports and soothes the skin and mucous membranes. It also assists in skin repair and cell regeneration.
Both Seed and Fruit oil are best used together, making it a super berry for the skin care. The full berry contains everything your skin needs to combat aging.
- Vitamin C (stimulate collagen, reduces sun spots)
- Pro-vitamin A (rebuilds the skin. It converts to vitamin A - the most potent anti-aging vitamin known).
- Superoxide dismutase (a powerful antioxidant) Fighting free radicals and signs of aging.
- Omegas 3,6,7 and 9.
Which Oil to Choose
As you can see, using both oils will give you the best advantage for combating aging skin. Sea Buckthorn oil is a must have facial oil in your everyday skin care routine.
I recommend using Sea Buckthorn Berry oil in the morning for its all day soothing effect, and then using Sea Buckthorn Seed oil at night to fight free radicals while you sleep.
Will Sea Buckthorn Stain Skin or Clothes?
Sea buckthorn berries have a bright orange-red color and the oil usually shares a similar hue. There are mixed reviews on whether or not the oil can stain your skin or clothing. But just to be safe, you should dilute it with a light carrier oil. Another option to avoid staining is to incorporate the oil in a DIY recipe so the color is less potent.
Recipes for Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil
Hydrating face cream (for oily skin)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sea buckthorn oil
- 2 tablespoons kokum butter
- ½ cup grapeseed oil
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 16 drops vitamin E oil
- 1.5 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
Directions
- Combine the grapeseed oil, kokum butter, and beeswax in a heat-safe glass bowl. Create a double broiler system by filling a pot halfway with water before placing the glass bowl within it.
- Turn the heat on low-medium.
- Stir the mixture to combine all ingredients.
- Remove the bowl from the heat. Keep stirring as you add in the sea buckthorn oil, vitamin E oil, and lavender essential oil.
- Let the mixture sit so it can cool down.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or so.
- Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Store your homemade face cream in an airtight container.
Whipped body butter
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sea buckthorn berry oil
- 2 tablespoons shea butter
- ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
- In a heat-safe glass bowl, combine the shea butter and coconut butter.
- Over low heat, use a double broiler system to melt the ingredients.
- Stir the mixture.
- Remove the mixture from the heat.
- As you stir the mixture, add in the sea buckthorn oil and vitamin E.
- Place the mixture in the refrigerator.
- Remove it from the fridge after 30 minutes or so.
- With an electric mixer, whip up the mixture until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Place your homemade body butter into an airtight container.
What to Look for When Buying Sea Buckthorn Oil
There are many things to consider before purchasing sea buckthorn oil. Factors that could affect its quality: How the oil was made, which part of the plant the oil was derived from, and how pure it is.
Since the oil that’s derived from the berry has different compounds from the seed oil, you should also think about which oil will address your needs better.
Sea Buckthorn Berry CO2 Extract
For the best quality oil, we recommend going with sea buckthorn berry CO2 extract. Since it’s derived from a special extraction method that involves natural carbon dioxide, you can rest assured that your oil is pure and nutrient-dense. What’s great about this extraction method is that your oil doesn’t contain residue from solvents or any traces of heavy metals.
Cold Pressed
Although sea buckthorn berry CO2 extract is definitely our top choice, there are also benefits to choosing sea buckthorn oil that’s cold pressed. Since it’s extracted at room temperature, it retains most of its natural composition. Oils that are extracted at higher temperatures can lose some of its nutrient value because the exposure to heat will degrade its integrity.
Also, oil that isn’t cold pressed will use extraction methods that involve soaking the berry pulp and seeds in solvents. In this case, the residue from the solvent may linger in the oil and cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
High in omega 7
It’s important to keep in mind that not every part of the plant contains the same beneficial properties. To ensure your oil is high quality, make sure the product label clearly states a high amount of omega 7. To give you a better sense of how to choose your oil, the highest quality sea buckthorn oil usually has 30% or more.
Certified organic
For the best quality oil, choose one that’s certified organic to limit your exposure to harmful substances, pesticides, or pollutants. To ensure the oil is certified organic, look for the USDA-certified organic seal on the bottle.
Purity
Make sure your oil is as pure as possible. If not, there’s a chance that it might be diluted with synthetic substances.
Where to Source Sea Buckthorn Oil
Our #1 Recommended Choice:
Our top choice for quality sea buckthorn berry and seeds oils is from a brand called Seabuck Wonders. You can get them on Amazon.
Sea Buckthorn is a great oil to start your Anti-aging skin care routine now!
Have you tried Sea Buckthorn oil? Leave us a comment or any questions below!
Hello there! It’s me again. Want to ask a question. I’m a bit confused as to which oil is the best for oily, acne prone skin? I have read that grape seed oil, sea buckthorn oil and a few others mentioned on your posts are good for acne but I have to say I’m overwhelmed by the choices. I could not decide which one to use
Thanks for your question 🙂 If you read my post – A List of Non-Comedogenic Facial Oils – you will see that sunflower seed oil is the best for acne prone skin because it doesn’t clog pores and has a very high linoleic acid content (which is lacking in acne-prone skin).
I know the choices are overwhelming! I get overwhelmed myself, especially since so many oils are claimed to be good for acne. If you want to choose just one oil for oily and acneic skin, try out sunflower seed oil (see the post in the link above for my recommended brand).
Sea buckthorn is an oil I would like to try, but not as an anti-acne oil (because I use benzoyl peroxide to control my acne), but as an anti-aging moisturizer. I love that sea buckthorn contains everything my skin needs for anti-aging, including collagen building vitamin C and pro-vitamin A, as well as potent antioxidants.
what is the ratio of sea buckthorn oil to argan? thanks
Hi Alina, thanks for your question 🙂 Do you mean the fatty acids of each?
Sea buckthorn oil vs Argan oil:
Sea buckthorn: linoleic 6.8%, oleic 28.4%, palmitic 31.3%, palmitoleic 29.7%, stearic 1.1%
Argan: linoleic 29.3%, oleic 43%, palmitic 11.5%, stearic 4.3%
Let me know if you meant something else 🙂
Hello ! I’ve been facing a very very dry and sensitive skin but still have some little pimples (I’m not sure what kind of it). My skin is always red, tight and chapped. I wanna try Sea buckthorn oil but afraid of comedogenic. Which one will suit me better between Sea buckthorn oil and Argan oil ?
Hello Mook,
It sounds like your skin’s natural barrier has been compromised. Sea Buckthorn has a low comedogenic rating (1 out of 5) so you can definitely give it a try. Either of these oils (sea buckthorn or argan) could be beneficial to the problems you are having with your skin. They are both moisturizing and help to balance sebum production. I wish I could tell you which one will work, but because everyone is different and I don’t know how you treat your skin, where you live, etc, I can’t tell you for sure which oil is best. Both can be used on dry, sensitive skin. They both have high antioxidant contents, anti-inflammatory properties, and can help relieve chapped skin.
So I would say go for sea buckthorn if you are wanting to try it, and let us know how it works for you!
Hi ladies,
I just ordered some berry oil (from your links above, of course!) and in reading the reviews, some people recommended mixing it with some other type of oil so it absorbs faster and doesn’t stain your skin. Could you please recommend what oil(s) and ratios to use?
Thanks so much!
Hello Sia, thanks for your question. I looked into it and it looks like the recommended dilution rate is 10% sea buckthorn oil in a blend. You can blend it with any oil that you like, depending on what you are looking to help treat. Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil are affordable choices. My favorite oils are raspberry seed and prickly pear, I find that they absorb the best.
You guys are awesome! Thank you!
😀
I have been researching this oil and some report that Palmitic acid is unhealthy. Looks to me like argan oil has lower levels of palmitic acid than Sea buckthorn does. Dr. Joseph Mercola also recommends not using Sea buckthorn oil more than 3 months.
Sue Seward
Gluten Free Lady
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the comment. I have done a bit of research into Palmitic acid myself, The EWG’s Cosmetic Database gives Palmitic Acid a 1 rating based on a “fair” amount of available data. I know that the highest content is in Palm oil itself. Sea Buckthorn oil has a very low content in comparison.
I think that using products for a prolong period of time, (after 3 months) can cause some resistance to the product, or even a nill effect, it is hard to say, as everyone is different. I don’t think it is a bad idea at all to use an oil for a few months then take a break and so on. This practice is widely used in the health supplement industry. So I can see adopting this practice for topical skin care a positive consideration.
All the best
Maria.
As per the link below palmitic acid is found in the fruit oil but not in the seed.
Also of note: Both the seed oil and berry oil can be ingested, although berry oil has more topical benefits, while seed oil has the best internal benefits.
Fruit oil is dark red or red orange and quite viscous, while seed oil is yellow or pale orange and more fluid.10 Both oils, though, have a strong musky scent.
I’ve read reviews saying the fruit oil is too orange and can stain your pillow case. I think if you apply sparingly and rub it in well plus give it time to absorb before going out or to bed it will be fine.
http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/sea-buckthorn-oil.aspx
I also read that palmitic acid has a comedogenic rating of 2 http://www.advancedskincaresolutions.org/clogging-ingredients/
I just got the berry oil and it makes my face orange. I’m afraid to use it because of staining my face. What do I do?
I would recommend diluting it in another carrier oil to thin it out, like Almond oil. Also try using it at night time so you aren’t discolouring the skin. Another option is to contact the supplier and ask them more about that batch. When you make oils not every batch will be exactly the same depending on the berries. Hope that helps 🙂
Maria.
Maria thank you so very much for the solid informations you share in your page. I am new to skin care products and in the process of learning and creating my own formulation. I am an Oncology Nurse and personally My family has big skin issues currently. I am passionate to help my patients and my family by educating myself with organic alternatives and also for me to educate them . And, make a difference by changing little habits and hopefuls make a lifestyle change.
Thank you and what you do is greatly appreciated.
You are so welcome. Whatever we can do to help. I must say, I also admire what you do. Its wonderful you are so dedicated to the people you care for.
We can make a big difference in peoples lives with a little education and support.
Thanks for your kind words.
All the best,
Maria.
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Very helpful Information! Thanks for sharing it. Sea Buckthorn oil resolves not only the skin problems but also help to cure liver cancer, fight diabetes and also prevent infections. Also, visit https://www.davidwolfe.com/sea-buckthorn-oil-benefits/ to get know more about the benefits of Sea Buckthorn oil.
Hi Andrea + Maria. Great article! I wanted to add a bit to clear up confusion. Sea Buckthorn seed oil and pulp oil do not contain Vitamin A or Vitamin C. It’s a common misconception. Both oils do contain Beta Carotene, which is a precursor to Vitamin A, but it does not convert to Vitamin A in the skin. Vitamin A conversion happens when we eat and digest beta carotene, yes, but it doesn’t happen in our skin. That’s something that happens solely through digestion, and skin doesn’t have a digestive tract. As for Vitamin C, it’s a water soluble vitamin. So, when the oils are pressed from the fruit or the seed, the water soluble elements are evaporated or separated out. No Vitamin C remains in the separated oil. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for that info Toni! I have wondered this myself with other oils as well, like Rosehip seed, I often see people saying it contains Vitamin A and C, but I have also read that it is not possible for oils to contain those compounds.
It makes me curious about CO2 extraction and whether that method would extract the Vitamin C?
I wonder then if beta-carotene has topical benefits if it doesn’t convert to Vitamin A on the skin?
Wow, I didn’t know that Sea buckthorn contains one of the highest amounts of Vitamins C and E among all plant sources. My previous neighbor used to have a plant like that and we don’t usually pay attention to that. I was so amazed that with the effects that it may bring to us, as well as the benefits that it can provide to our skin. Cheers for your wonderful tips!
very informative and valuable article, sea buckthorn including vitamin C-building collagen and pro-vitamin A, as well as potent antioxidants. it is very usefull for skin.
Thank you for the great post.