Ingredients

Sea Buckthorn Oil

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Sea Buckthorn Oil — a vividly orange oil derived from the berries or seeds of the sea buckthorn shrub (Hippophae rhamnoides), notable for its carotenoids, tocopherols, and rare palmitoleic acid (omega-7). It is used in small amounts to support the skin barrier and impart antioxidant activity. The fruit-pulp oil is deep orange and can temporarily tint the skin, so it is typically blended at low concentrations.

Key points

  • It is one of the few plant oils containing palmitoleic acid (omega-7), a fatty acid also found naturally in skin.
  • Sea buckthorn oil is rich in carotenoids and vitamin E, giving it strong antioxidant properties.
  • Its bright orange pigment can stain skin or fabric, so it is usually formulated in diluted amounts.
  • It is used to support barrier repair and soothe dry, compromised, or reactive skin.

Frequently asked

Why is sea buckthorn oil orange?

The color comes from its high concentration of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lycopene, which are also antioxidants.

Will sea buckthorn oil stain my skin?

Undiluted fruit-pulp oil can leave a temporary orange tint, which is why it is usually blended at low percentages into finished products.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Phytochemistry, health benefits, and food applications of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A comprehensive review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. The role of sea buckthorn in skin and mucosal health PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Abundance of Active Ingredients in Sea-Buckthorn Oil PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L.: A review PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.