Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil
Sea buckthorn berry oil is a bright orange coloured carrier oil exceptionally rich in vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, flavonoids and fatty acids. In fact it is one of the few carrier oils with a high nutritional value outside of the essential fatty acids; sea buckthorn berry oil contains vitamins A, C, E and B as well as 60 major and minor antioxidants. All in all, it is one oil you will want to incorporate in your skincare routine for its exceptional abilities to heal, repair and protect the skin from premature ageing.
Contrary to its name, sea buckthorn berry does not come from a sea plant, but rather the fruit of the Hippophae Rhamnoides shrub, which is native to the high altitudes in China, the Himalayas and Asia. The berries are orange in colour, which, like carrots, is indicative of a high carotenoid content.
Skin Health
Sea buckthorn berry oil is anti-inflammatory, anti aging and antibacterial, and can transform rough, damaged skin. It is good for stressed out skin, dermatitis, rosacea, acne, sun damaged skin and even wounds and damaged tissue. It can also help improve micro-circulation (essentially, the skin’s metabolism) and retard skin maturation, thereby slowing down the signs of aging.
Because it contains Omega-7 which is a fabulous skin healer and regenerator, sea buckthorn berry oil is one of the best healing and anti aging oils around. Keep in mind that it may stain skin if applied undiluted, so do a spot test first and blend a few drops with another carrier oil if necessary.
Sea buckthorn is often referenced to have sun protection capabilities due to its rich antioxidant, fatty acid, quercetin and carotenoid content, and is a common ingredient found in natural sunscreen formulations. While it certainly has all the properties to shield from UV rays, it unfortunately hasn’t been tested alone for SPF verification so we don’t know exactly to what degree it can protect us from the sun. But we do know that it helps bring down inflammation following sun damage, and can assist with the healing and restorative process. So it can be added to your conventional sunscreen or a DIY preparation, and definitely add it to your after sun cream (find a soothing after sun cream recipe here).
Medicinal
Sea buckthorn berry oil is an anti-asthmatic and rich in quercetin, and is said to naturally lower cholesterol levels. Studies have also found daily intake of the oil to contribute to heart health and reducing high blood pressure. It may also improve liver functioning in those with a damaged liver. Other studies in laboratories have found that the oil may be effective at preventing the spread of cancer cells. Please note however that the oil has not yet been tested on human subjects for cancer impedance and more research is needed.
Recipe Time!
Incorporating sea buckthorn oil into your skincare regimen can be as easy as adding 1 drop of the oil to 30ml of your face cream, or try out some of the simple recipes below.
This body butter recipe is easy enough even for beginners and requires no emulsifying wax or preservative. Simply melt the oils, blend and enjoy.
Mango & Sea Buckthorn Body Butter
28g mango butter
15g camellia seed oil (substitutions are safflower or marula oil)
11g jojoba oil
3-4 drops sea buckthorn berry oil
2 drops vitamin E oil
Melt the mango butter in a water bath. While it melts, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl about halfway with ice cubes and cold water. Once the mango butter has melted, remove it from the water bath and stir in the camellia seed oil and jojoba oil. Then place the bowl with the oils in the ice bath and stir constantly for about a minute, until the mixture has cooled a bit. Add the sea buckthorn berry oil and vitamin E. Continue stirring the mixture in the ice bath until you reach a light trace - the mixture should be thick enough that a small amount drizzled over the surface of the mixture leaves a ‘trace’ for an instant. If you’re a soap maker you’ll be familiar with this. When you have reached trace, decant the butter into a tin or jar and leave to set up for a day. To use, massage into your skin.
Sea Buckthorn Facial Oil Blend
2-3 drops sea buckthorn berry oil
Choose any or a combination of: rosehip oil, pomegranate oil, red raspberry oil, marula, jojoba, or your favourite skin oil.
Add the sea buckthorn oil and fill up the rest of the pipette bottle with the skin oils of your choice. Shake gently to combine. To use, massage in 2-3 drops into your face.
This recipe is a powerful healing facial serum.
Sea Buckthorn & Frankincense Serum
15ml jojoba oil
15 drops frankincense essential oil
Pipette bottle
Add the jojoba and sea buckthorn oil to the bottle, then add the frankincense. Shake gently to combine. Use a small amount at night and massage in well.
Because of sea buckthorn berry oil’s powerful nutrient content and fabulous skin restoring properties, it's our Oil of the Week!
