Sea buckthorn oil is abundant in a variety of vitamins, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for our diet and overall health. In particular, oil made from the sea buckthorn berry has a high concentration of palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fatty acid with purported benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, reducing intimate dryness for those with low oestrogen levels, and preventing acne and eczema.
If you're looking for a natural way to supplement your diet with essential fatty acids or to achieve healthier skin, hair and nails, you're in the right place! Read on to learn all about the main uses for sea buckthorn oil as well our reviews of products from top brands like Weleda, Naissance and The Ordinary, available to buy online at Amazon and Boots. From ingestible capsules to organic oils for the face and body, we've got recommendations to suit everyone.
Quick List - Top Sea Buckthorn Oils
Gya Labs
Great for Moisturising Dry Skin and Hair, or for Mixing With Essential Oils
Poppy Austin
Simple Yet Effective Triple Purified Oil For Sensitive, Hormonal Skin
Nature's Aid
Get Your Daily Dose of Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamins and Antioxidants
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Sea buckthorn oil is a thick, golden-orange liquid derived from the berries, seeds and leaves of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides), a bush originally found in the Himalayas. It contains a number of compounds that can be beneficial to human health when taken orally or applied directly onto skin and hair.
The oil is rich in fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6 and omega-7, as well as vitamins A, C, E and antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Additionally, it has natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming sea buckthorn oil as a supplement is therefore purported to have health benefits such as boosting the immune system and supporting cardiovascular and liver health.
With its potent mix of nutrients and fatty acids, sea buckthorn oil has many benefits for the skin and hair too. It's a natural moisturiser that fills in all the cracks of the skin while limiting water loss and its antibacterial and antifungal properties can help to prevent acne and heal wounds much faster. Plus, it can reduce the signs of ageing as it promotes cell regeneration.
Rosehip oil is another fantastic natural product that can help to improve skin health.
You will encounter different formats of sea buckthorn oil on the market — some are meant to be ingested whereas others are designed to be used externally, for cosmetic purposes. There are also multipurpose oils available that can be both consumed and applied directly to the skin or hair.
If you're looking for a sea buckthorn oil to provide your daily requirement of essential fatty acids, then supplements in capsule form are ideal as they are quick and easy to take. For external use on the skin or hair, a bottle with a dropper is the most convenient option as you can control how much oil you want to apply.
The sea buckthorn plant is a one-of-a-kind source of omega fatty acids, not just in its seeds but in its fruits and berries too. With this in mind, you should check which part of the plant a product's ingredients are derived from, to ensure that contains the right omegas for your needs.
Omega-3 and omega-6 are particularly abundant in the seeds of the sea buckthorn plant. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can lower the chances of heart disease and improve the overall appearance of your skin. Omega-6, on the other hand, is in charge of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. It can also help you to achieve a healthy glow and is beneficial for those with atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and acne.
The sea buckthorn berry is one of just a few plants in the world that contains significant amounts of omega-7, which is believed to help with stomach ulcers by promoting the renewal and protection of mucous membranes. Menopausal women experiencing vaginal dryness due to low oestrogen levels may also find omega-7 useful for keeping this area moisturised.
If you're experiencing menopause, you may also want to read about the benefits of evening primrose oil.
Knowing whether the oil is refined or unrefined will help you to understand how potent a product is and will give you an indication of its quality. Unrefined oils are usually cold-pressed, meaning that they are extracted using pressure and low-temperature conditions to preserve the oil's natural properties. The nutrient-rich, virgin oil is then fine-filtered to remove contaminants without altering the colour or smell.
In contrast, refined oils undergo multiple treatments to remove any 'undesirable' elements, typically using high-heat temperatures and chemical solvents. Many of the plant's beneficial properties are lost in the process, resulting in a less potent oil that may contain irritants and additives. While they have less beneficial nutrients, refined oils are a more cost-effective option so will likely suit those on a lower budget.
You may also want to check if the product you're buying is organic. Organic certified oils are extracted from plants that are grown without the use of potentially harmful agents such as chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Although the long-term effects are unknown, there is a risk of irritation or an allergic reaction when using non-organic formulas, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Certain sea buckthorn oil capsules may contain gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegans, vegetarians and those who avoid this ingredient for religious reasons. Luckily, some brands offer supplements that are entirely free from animal-derived extracts and will state this on the packaging.
If you're concerned about the ethical manufacture of sea buckthorn oil, you can also check a product's cruelty-free status by looking for the Leaping Bunny logo. To make identifying suitable products at a glance even easier, we've included all of this information in our specification tables.
Check out these vegan collagen supplements for a cruelty-free glowing complexion!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gya Labs Sea Buckthorn Organic Carrier Oil|50 ml | ![]() | Great for Moisturising Dry Skin and Hair, or for Mixing With Essential Oils | |
2 | Poppy Austin Sea Buckthorn Rejuvenating Oil|60 ml | ![]() | Simple Yet Effective Triple Purified Oil For Sensitive, Hormonal Skin | |
3 | Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil|100 ml | ![]() | Nutrient-Rich Body Oil for Quenching Dry Skin | |
4 | Nature's Aid Sea Buckthorn Oil Omega-7 |60 Softgels | ![]() | Get Your Daily Dose of Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamins and Antioxidants | |
5 | Intelligent Cosmetics Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil|100 ml | ![]() | Organic, Unrefined Sea Buckthorn Oil With Powerful Anti-Ageing Benefits | |
6 | Leven Rose Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil|30 ml | ![]() | Multipurpose Sea Buckthorn Oil for Restoring the Skin and Hair | |
7 | Pharma Nord Store Vegan Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules|150 Capsules | ![]() | Omega-7 Capsules That Protect Against Dryness | |
8 | Naissance Sea Buckthorn Oil|30 ml | ![]() | Cold-Pressed Oil That's Suitable for Cosmetic Use and Cooking | |
9 | Biopurus Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil|50 ml | ![]() | Edible Organic Oil Derived From Sea Buckthorn Seeds | |
10 | The Ordinary 100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil|30 ml | ![]() | A Hydrating, Sustainably-Sourced Sea Buckthorn Oil |
We love this product's versatility — you can either massage a couple of drops directly into the skin or dilute it with your favourite essential oils for a scented moisturiser that will help you relax. The price is also very reasonable for an organic, therapeutic-grade carrier oil that absorbs quickly.
Those who have dry, sensitive or hormonal skin should try this pure sea buckthorn oil formulation from Poppy Austin. It aids in rejuvenating skin cells, lubricating the cracks and crevices while protecting your complexion with antioxidants.
The berries are hand-picked from sustainably harvested plants, and have undergone minimal processing to produce the purest, toxin-free end product that won't cause irritation. A brilliant multitasker, this one can also be used to hydrate your hair.
If you have overly dry skin that doesn't seem to be effectively moisturised with lotion, we recommend this body oil! Weleda's sea buckthorn oil is pressed from sun-ripened fruits and seeds, and is specifically developed to nourish dehydrated skin.
Blended with sesame oil and fragrant essential oils, this product will make skin feel softer while the scent provides a dose of relaxing aromatherapy. Smooth over any dry areas after bathing or showering to lock in hydration.
The benefits of sea buckthorn oil is harnessed and packaged into these fuss-free, easy-to-swallow 500 mg softgel capsules. Each serving provides 375 mg of omega-7, as well as small amounts of omega-3, 6 and 9.
You will also be getting your daily dose of vitamins A, B, C, E and antioxidants such as beta carotene, all in one capsule! Made with high-quality ingredients and manufactured under strict standards, these capsules are entirely plant-based so they're suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
This bottle contains 100% pure, organic sea buckthorn oil to help with a variety of skin ailments such as acne, rosacea, eczema and dermatitis while lubricating the skin. As it's anti-inflammatory, it will soothe itchy, bumpy patches of skin, rashes, bug bites and sunburn too.
Even if you have no skin issues, this oil is handy for overall skin health as it supplies hydration and promotes cell regeneration. It also has powerful anti-ageing properties as it can even out fine lines and wrinkles, to help you achieve a plumper complexion.
Leven Rose's cold-pressed sea buckthorn oil is derived from the seeds, without the addition of fragrances, parabens or alcohols. When used on the skin, its emollient formula acts as a moisturiser and works to combat signs of ageing.
The concentration of nutrients in the oil also makes it suitable for use on the hair, where it will strengthen strands for silky results. While it's quite a small bottle for the price, we love the fact that it's a multipurpose product.
Since omega-7 is rare, you might not be getting enough of it through your diet. So, a supplement rich in this fatty acid is ideal, especially if you suffer from dehydrated skin, or dryness in your eyes and mouth. These capsules contain a blend of omega-7, 3, 6 and 9 that have been extracted from the seeds and berries of the sea buckthorn plant.
Menopausal women experiencing severe dryness in the intimate area may want to try out this supplement as it has excellent clinical trial results. Plus, it's free from gluten, lactose, soy, yeast and sugar. The only downside is the high price, but many customers feel it's worth spending more on because of the superb results.
The oil is suitable for all skin types as it has a low comedogenic rating, but will particularly suit those with very dry or mature skin. If you plan to use it as a daily moisturiser though, you may want to look for a bigger bottle.
Sea buckthorn oil's rich combination of biologically active substances is preserved in this cold-pressed formulation. As it's derived from the seeds, this oil delivers potent concentrations of omega-3, 6, 7 and 9 alongside vitamins A, C, E and K.
We love that this oil can be applied topically or ingested — in fact, Biopurus suggests adding it into tea, mineral water or yoghurt to promote overall health. Although it's a bit expensive, it's formulated organically and without artificial additives so it should be suitable for most skin types.
This organic formula by The Ordinary is a high-purity, sustainably-sourced virgin oil extracted from the sea buckthorn berry. It therefore contains all of the essential omega fatty acids, including omega-7, and is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
All of these oils help to strengthen your skin's barrier, protecting it from environmental stressors. However, as this product is primarily designed for facial use, you may need to invest in a larger bottle to nourish dry skin elsewhere on the body.
Written and Researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Gya Labs|Sea Buckthorn Organic Carrier Oil|50 ml
No. 2: Poppy Austin|Sea Buckthorn Rejuvenating Oil|60 ml
No. 3: Weleda|Sea Buckthorn Body Oil|100 ml
No. 4: Nature's Aid|Sea Buckthorn Oil Omega-7 |60 Softgels
No. 5: Intelligent Cosmetics|Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil|100 ml
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