No products in the cart.: $0.00
Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (superfat)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Sea buckthorn seed oil is cold-pressed from the tiny seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides, a hardy shrub of Europe and Asia whose orange berries have been used medicinally for over a thousand years. The seed oil is distinct from the deep-orange pulp (berry) oil: the seed oil is pale gold, light, and balanced almost 1:1 in the essential fatty acids linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3), with high vitamin E and phytosterols, whereas the pulp oil is dominated by palmitoleic acid (omega-7) and carotenoids [1]. Clinically, sea buckthorn seed oil improved atopic dermatitis symptoms in a placebo-controlled study [2]; it accelerated burn-wound healing in an animal model [3]; and it protected human skin cells from UV-induced lipid damage [4]. Non-staining and fast-absorbing, it is a barrier-repair oil suited to face, scalp, hair, soap superfat, and lip products.
What is Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil made of?
Sea buckthorn seed oil is cold-pressed or CO₂-extracted from cleaned, dried seeds. Fatty-acid and minor-component profile [1]:
Because of its polyunsaturation, the seed oil oxidizes readily; ORY® stores it refrigerated with added vitamin E and rosemary extract.
- Linoleic acid (~35–40%, omega-6): Barrier-essential; ceramide precursor; acne-friendly.
- Alpha-linolenic acid (~30–35%, omega-3): Anti-inflammatory; barrier support.
- Oleic acid (~15–20%): Emollient.
- Palmitic and stearic acids: Structural.
- Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols, ~100–200 mg/100 g): Antioxidant.
- Phytosterols (β-sitosterol) and carotenoids (lower than pulp oil): Anti-inflammatory; pale gold color.
What skin type is best suited for Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil?
Sea buckthorn seed oil suits all seven ORY® skin types as a light barrier-repair oil:
- Dry: Omega-3/6 balance restores barrier lipids and reduces water loss.
- Sensitive: Improved atopic dermatitis in a controlled study [2]; anti-inflammatory.
- Mature: Vitamin E, sterols, and UV-lipid protection [4]; supports elasticity.
- Acne-prone: Linoleic-rich, light, non-staining; supports healing of lesions and marks.
- Combination: Light enough for balanced use.
- Normal: Daily antioxidant and barrier maintenance.
- Oily: Small amounts; linoleic-rich oils are generally well tolerated.
What hair type is best suited for Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil?
Sea buckthorn seed oil nourishes the scalp and strengthens hair:
- Dry or damaged: Essential fatty acids and vitamin E soften and protect the fiber.
- Sensitive scalp: Anti-inflammatory; calms dry, itchy scalps [2].
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Barrier-repairing lipids for flaky, dry scalps.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Replenishes lipids; antioxidant color protection.
- Curly and coily: Light sealing oil.
- Mature or thinning: Nourishing scalp oil.
- Straight, wavy, oily scalp: Ends only, sparingly.
What are the benefits of Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil?
Sea buckthorn seed oil’s benefits are supported by clinical, animal, and cell studies [1–4]:
- Barrier repair: Balanced omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids rebuild barrier lipids and reduce water loss [1].
- Atopic dermatitis support: Improved symptoms in a placebo-controlled study [2].
- Wound and burn healing: Accelerated healing and collagen synthesis in an animal model [3].
- UV protection: Reduced UV-induced lipid peroxidation in human skin cells [4].
- Antioxidant: Vitamin E and sterols.
- Anti-inflammatory: Omega-3 metabolites calm redness and irritation.
- Non-staining: Unlike pulp oil; suitable for face and light products.
- Hair and scalp nourishment: Conditions fiber and calms dry scalps.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Sea buckthorn seed oil is an oil-phase emollient that serves every ORY® line; in soap it is added as a superfat to protect its fragile fats.
Pros and cons of Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
Pros
Cons
- Rare omega-3/6 balance: Barrier-ideal profile [1].
- Clinical evidence for atopic skin: [2].
- Non-staining and light: Face-friendly, unlike pulp oil.
- Multi-line: Oils, creams, hair, soap, and lip.
- Sustainable: Hardy shrub; seeds are a juice by-product.
- Oxidation: Short shelf life (6–12 months); refrigerate; antioxidants required.
- Cost: Premium oil.
- Confusion with pulp oil: Customers may expect the deep-orange, carotenoid-rich berry oil; label clearly.
- Faint odor: Slightly tart-fruity note.
- Limited large trials: Strong preclinical and small clinical evidence base.
What is the best application of Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil?
Sea buckthorn seed oil is a leave-on barrier replenisher:
- Face oil: 3–5 drops on damp skin PM (or AM under SPF for dry skin).
- Barrier cream: 5–10% with ceramides and colloidal oat for eczema-prone skin [2].
- Serum: Bi-phase or oil serum with rosehip and squalane.
- Eye cream: Light omega support.
- Body oil: For dry, itchy, or winter skin.
- Scalp oil: Pre-shampoo for dry, flaky scalps.
- Hair mask: With shea for damaged hair.
- Soap superfat: Barrier-repair bar.
- Lip balm: Nourishing repair.
Peer-reviewed references
- Zielińska A, Nowak I. Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2017;16:95.
- Yang B, Kalimo KO, Mattila LM, et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) seed and pulp oils on atopic dermatitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 1999;10(11):622–630.
- Upadhyay NK, Kumar R, Siddiqui MS, Gupta A. Safety and healing efficacy of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on burn wounds in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2009;47(6):1146–1153.
- Gęgotek A, Jastrząb A, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Muszyńska M, Skrzydlewska E. The effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on UV-induced changes in lipid metabolism of human skin cells. Antioxidants. 2018;7(9):110.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about sea buckthorn seed oil as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), burns, wounds, acne, dandruff, or sun damage. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Allergy to sea buckthorn oil is rare, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
