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Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
At ORY®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about sea buckthorn seed oil. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.
Please note: Some studies on this page tested sea buckthorn for atopic dermatitis and burns, which are medical uses. We share them for transparency. ORY® sea buckthorn products are cosmetics and are not intended to treat any condition.
How to read this page Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews. Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY® uses. Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly. |
1. General Description and Role
Claim: Sea buckthorn seed oil is pressed from the seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides. It is pale gold and rich in linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) fatty acids, vitamin E, and plant sterols. In ORY® products, it helps skin, lips, and hair feel soft, nourished, and moisturized. |
Verification: Supported. The CIR Expert Panel found sea buckthorn oils safe as used in cosmetics as part of its review of plant-derived fatty acid oils. CIR has begun an updated review of edible plant oils.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: CIR safety assessment of plant-derived oils.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: Review of sea buckthorn oil composition.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
2. Composition and Production
Claim: Seed oil is cold-pressed or CO₂-extracted from the seeds. It is different from sea buckthorn fruit (pulp) oil, which is deep orange and rich in palmitoleic acid and carotenoids. |
Verification: Supported. The composition of seed and pulp oils is well documented. Because it is highly unsaturated, seed oil oxidizes readily.
Citations:
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: Describes seed and pulp oil composition.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
3. Skin Type Suitability
Claim: Sea buckthorn seed oil suits most skin types, especially dry and mature skin. |
Verification: Supported, with caveats. We found no cosmetic clinical studies by skin type. Suitability is based on its fatty-acid profile and CIR safety conclusion.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: Composition.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
4. Hair and Scalp Suitability
Claim: In haircare, sea buckthorn seed oil helps hair feel soft and the scalp feel moisturized. |
Verification: Limited evidence. We found no clinical studies of sea buckthorn oil on hair. ORY® haircare products are not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions.
Citations:
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: General review.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
5. Benefits
Claim: Sea buckthorn seed oil helps skin feel soft, smooth, and moisturized and provides antioxidant support. |
Verification: Supported, with caveats. In a 4-month trial in people with atopic dermatitis, the oils were taken by mouth as capsules, not applied to skin; pulp oil improved symptoms, seed oil did not reach significance, and the placebo group also improved. In rats, the seed oil helped burn wounds heal. In human skin cells, it reduced UV-related oxidative damage. None of these supports a treatment or sun-protection claim, and ORY® makes none.
Citations:
- Yang, B., Kalimo, K. O., Mattila, L. M., et al. (1999). Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 10(11), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539258/
- What it shows: Oral (not topical) trial in atopic dermatitis.
- Upadhyay, N. K., et al. (2009). Safety and healing efficacy of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on burn wounds in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 47(6), 1146–1153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19425187/
- What it shows: Rat burn-wound study.
- Gęgotek, A., Jastrząb, A., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., Muszyńska, M., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2018). The effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on UV-induced changes in lipid metabolism of human skin cells. Antioxidants, 7(9), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox7090110
- What it shows: Human skin-cell study.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, February 26). Sunscreen drug products for over-the-counter human use (proposed rule), 84 FR 6204. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/26/2019-03019/sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use
- What it shows: FDA regulates sun-protection claims as sunscreen drugs.
- Yang, B., Kalimo, K. O., Mattila, L. M., et al. (1999). Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 10(11), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539258/
6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines
Claim: Sea buckthorn seed oil is used in all four ORY® product lines. |
Verification: Supported, with caveats. In soap, it is added as a superfat so more of the oil stays unsaponified. ORY® stores it cool with added antioxidants.
| Product line | Typical level | How ORY® uses it |
| Skincare | 2–20% (up to 100% in oil blends) | Face oils, creams, serums, eye creams, and body oils. |
| Haircare | 1–10% | Scalp oils, hair oils, masks, and conditioners. |
| Handmade Soap | 2–5% of oils as superfat | Added at trace. |
| Cosmetics | 2–10% | Lip balms, cream blush, cuticle oils, and foundations. |
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Reported uses.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
- What it shows: FDA explains how soap is regulated.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
7. Pros
Claim: A light, non-staining oil with a balanced omega-3/omega-6 profile. |
Verification: Supported. Composition and safety are well documented.
Citations:
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: Composition.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
8. Cons
Claim: The oil oxidizes quickly, is costly, and topical human evidence is limited. |
Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:
- Oxidation. Short shelf life; needs antioxidants and cool storage.
- Limited topical evidence. The human trial was oral, and seed oil did not beat placebo.
- Confusion with pulp oil. Seed and pulp oils differ.
- Cost. A premium oil.
Citations:
- Yang, B., Kalimo, K. O., Mattila, L. M., et al. (1999). Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 10(11), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539258/
- What it shows: Oral trial.
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
- What it shows: Stability.
- Yang, B., Kalimo, K. O., Mattila, L. M., et al. (1999). Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 10(11), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539258/
9. Safety Notes
Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only. |
Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:
- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Store away from heat and light, and discard if it smells rancid.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes. Do not use on broken or seriously damaged skin.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Safety assessment.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
10. Product-line notes
- ORY® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY® Haircare: Designed for scalp comfort and the look and feel of hair. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden shedding or a persistent itchy, flaking scalp, see a dermatologist.
- ORY® Handmade Soap: Handmade soap is naturally alkaline, and each bar may vary slightly in color, scent, and texture. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
- ORY® Cosmetics: Lip products are not intended to treat or protect chapped or cracked lips. Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.
11. References
Peer-reviewed research
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- Gęgotek, A., Jastrząb, A., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., Muszyńska, M., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2018). The effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on UV-induced changes in lipid metabolism of human skin cells. Antioxidants, 7(9), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox7090110
- Upadhyay, N. K., et al. (2009). Safety and healing efficacy of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on burn wounds in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 47(6), 1146–1153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19425187/
- Yang, B., Kalimo, K. O., Mattila, L. M., et al. (1999). Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 10(11), 622–630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15539258/
- Zielińska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7
Government and regulatory sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, February 26). Sunscreen drug products for over-the-counter human use (proposed rule), 84 FR 6204. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/26/2019-03019/sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
