Glossary
A nutrient-dense oil extracted from the berries and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides). It is one of the only plant sources of omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) and is packed with vitamins C, E, and A, along with powerful antioxidants.
Sea buckthorn is a thorny shrub that thrives in harsh conditions: cold mountains, arid steppes, and coastal sand dunes across Europe and Asia. The bright orange berries it produces are small and difficult to harvest, but they pack a nutritional profile that is almost unmatched in the plant kingdom. The oil extracted from these berries contains over 190 bioactive compounds, including vitamins C, E, A, and K, along with carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), phytosterols, and a rare supply of omega-7 fatty acid.
Palmitoleic acid (omega-7) is the ingredient that makes sea buckthorn oil singular. Very few plant sources contain meaningful amounts of omega-7, which happens to be one of the primary fatty acids in human skin. It is a key component of the skin's structural lipids, supporting elasticity, hydration, and the integrity of mucous membranes.
Supplementing the skin with omega-7 through topical application can help restore this fatty acid to aging or damaged skin that produces less of it naturally. This is why sea buckthorn oil has become a sought-after ingredient in anti-aging and skin-repair formulations, including our Silken Glow Facial Balm.
Sea buckthorn berries contain 3 to 15 times more vitamin C than oranges per unit weight. While much of this vitamin C is concentrated in the juice rather than the oil, the oil retains meaningful antioxidant capacity through its carotenoid and tocopherol content. The bright orange color of sea buckthorn oil comes from its exceptionally high beta-carotene concentration, which the skin can convert to vitamin A (retinol) for cell renewal support.
The oil is used at low concentrations in formulations because it is deeply pigmented. A few drops added to a balm or serum are sufficient to deliver its benefits without staining the skin orange. In our Facial Balm, it works with argan oil, kokum butter, and mango butter to create a comprehensive skin nourishment profile.
When used in properly formulated products, no. Formulators use sea buckthorn oil at concentrations that deliver its benefits without leaving an orange tint. If you use pure sea buckthorn oil, start with 1-2 drops mixed into a carrier oil to avoid temporary staining.
Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and barrier function. It is naturally present in human skin but decreases with age. Topical supplementation helps restore the skin's lipid balance, reduce dryness, and support wound healing.
Sea buckthorn is native to Europe and Asia, growing wild in Russia, China, Mongolia, and across Scandinavia. It thrives in extreme conditions: coastal dunes, mountain slopes, and arid steppes. Commercial cultivation has expanded to Canada and parts of the northern United States.
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