Most plant oils lean on omega-6 and omega-9. Sea buckthorn brings something the others rarely do: a generous dose of omega-7, the same fatty acid your own skin produces. That single difference is why this small orange berry keeps turning up in serious skincare, and why it earns its place among the botanicals we blend.

What makes sea buckthorn oil different

Pressed from the berry of Hippophae rhamnoides, sea buckthorn is one of the few plant oils to supply omega-3, 6, 7, and 9 together. Its standout is palmitoleic acid, better known as omega-7, which sea buckthorn carries in higher amounts than nearly any other plant, according to reviews of its composition. The deep orange color comes from carotenoids, plant pigments the body can use as antioxidants.

Omega-7 and your skin barrier

Palmitoleic acid is not a foreign ingredient to your skin. It is one of the fatty acids in human sebum, the oil your skin makes to stay supple. Applying an oil built on the same lipid means it absorbs comfortably and helps top up what the barrier is already made of. A well-supplied barrier holds water in more effectively, which is the quiet difference between skin that feels tight by midday and skin that stays soft.

The best oils do not fight your skin. They speak its language.

Antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids

Beyond its fatty acids, sea buckthorn is a source of vitamin C, vitamin E, and the carotenoids that give it color. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, the reactive molecules generated by sun and pollution that contribute to visible aging over time. No topical oil replaces sunscreen, but a barrier oil rich in antioxidants can be a sensible companion to daily SPF.

Who it suits, and how to use it

Because omega-7 mirrors natural sebum, sea buckthorn tends to sit lightly rather than feeling heavy, which is why even oily and combination skin often gets along with it. Fragrance-free formulas also remove one of the most common triggers for sensitive skin. Use a facial oil or serum after any water-based steps and before a moisturizer, so the oil seals in what came before. Sea buckthorn is one of the botanicals in our Royal Facial Serum, where it works alongside dozens of other cold-pressed oils rather than on its own.

What the research does and does not say

Sea buckthorn has a long record in traditional skincare, and its nutrient profile is well documented. Clinical research is still building: a 2023 randomized controlled trial looked at oral sea buckthorn oil and reported changes in some skin measures, though a supplement taken by mouth is not the same as an oil applied to the face. The honest summary is that the composition is genuinely useful for the barrier, and topical claims are best kept measured. Patch test, give it a few weeks, and judge by how your skin feels.