Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits
With the abundance of facial oils available today, from fan favourites like coconut to argan oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil is one I feel is often overlooked. It is not only a great facial oil for skin, but its inherent benefits also play a role in maintaining optimal internal health as well. In this post I will be shining the spotlight on sea buckthorn oil benefits for both skin and health.
What is Sea Buckthorn Oil?
Despite what its name may lead you to believe, sea buckthorn oil derives from the sea buckthorn shrub (also known as sandthorn, sallow thorn, seaberry or Siberian pineapple).
There are a variety of medicinal purposes for the use of the leaves, seeds and fruit of the plant. Its medicinal powers have been known for centuries and have been used in formularies from ancient Greece to ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
Sea buckthorn oil can be extracted from both the fruit or the seed. This is done by cold pressing the fruit or seed followed by filtration.
The odour is musky and although they share similarities in their nutritional content, their nutrient profiles differ slightly. They also differ in colour and texture. The fruit oil is darker red colour and more viscous, while the seed oil is paler orange and thinner in consistency.
Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits for Skin
Sea buckthorn oil promotes maintenance of healthy skin due to its nutrient rich composition and fatty acid profile.
Fatty Acids Keep Skin Smooth
The fatty acids in oil create an occlusive film over the skin to reduce trans epidermal water loss and maintain skin’s hydration levels. Palmitic and stearic acid are saturated fatty acids in sea buckthorn oil. They smooth and soften skin while forming an occlusive layer to reinforce the protective skin barrier.
Omega Fatty Acids for Visible Skin Benefits
Sea buckthorn oil has a unique fatty acid profile in comparison to other plant oils. In fact, it may be one of the only plants to contain all four omegas – omega 3,6, 7 and 9. Typically omega supplements will boast the content of omega 3, 6 and 9 that we might entirely overlook omega 7 as a nutrient at all.
Omega fatty acids are extremely important ingredients for skin. They serve as essential building material of skin’s surface and build cell membranes. They create a more youthful looking, smoother complexion and increase skin hydration. Calming signs of redness and sensitivity, they also defend skin from environmental damage.
The rare omega 7 (aka palmitoleic acid) is a relatively new fatty acid discovery. It is a monounsaturated fatty acid and component of skin lipids and facilitate the communication between fat and muscle tissue in the body. It helps to stimulate skin regenerative processes and wound healing. Therefore sea buckthorn oil has the potential to reduce the look of scars and wounds.
Suitable for Oily Skin Types
Gamma linoleic acid (omega 6) improves blood circulation, which in turn assists with the removal of toxins and delivers oxygen to cells. The GLA in sea buckthorn oil penetrates into skin’s deeper layers, stimulates cell regeneration, relieves inflammation, slows ageing and even regulates skin sebum production. Due to the presence of omega 6, it is also suitable for oily skin types.
Typically oily skin types are reluctant to use facial oils on their skin, however sea buckthorn oil may prove beneficial for oily skin. Linolic acid found in sea buckthorn oil plays a key role in skin health. It regulates skin metabolism and sebum production, thus reducing pore blockage and blackheads.
Sea buckthorn oil also contains phospholipids and glycolipids which aid in moisturising and softening the epidermis, as well as improving skin elasticity and cell renewal. They have the propensity to reduce skin inflammation and slow the ageing process. Furthermore, sterols in the oil strengthen the lipid barrier and improve skin elasticity and firmness.
Fatty Acids in Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits:
- Saturated fatty acids soften skin and prevent trans epidermal water loss.
- Sea buckthorn oil contains an abundance of omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9.
- These omega fatty acids reinforce and smooth skin’s surface.
- They increase skin hydration and visibly strengthen skin.
- They have regenerative properties and heal wounds.
- Regulate the function of skin’s sebaceous glands.
- Protects against infections, soothes inflammation and slows ageing.
- Moisturises skin, reduces inflammation and improves skin elasticity.
Powerful Nutritional Profile of Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn oil benefits are largely due to its diverse cocktail of vitamins and nutrients. It is particularly rich in a number of vitamins A, C, D, E, F, K, P and B complex vitamins as well carotenoids, antioxidants, flavonoids, fruit acids, anthocyanins, and minerals. Essentially, it is a recipe for extraordinary healing.
Packed with polyphenols, vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids, tocopherols and flavonols, sea buckthorn oil is a cocktail of antioxidant goodness. Sea buckthorn oil’s potent antioxidant profile combats free radicals. And thus it prevents premature cell ageing and helps to regenerate cells.
The vitamin C content of sea buckthorn oil is 15 times higher than that of an orange. It will protect against UV damage and help to even out the complexion. Read this vitamin C article for more about vitamin C’s amazing effect on skin.
In a nutshell, sea buckthorn oil fights free radicals, protects against harmful UV rays, regenerates cells and slows skin ageing. It supports wound healing, treats scars and reduces pigmentation. What’s more, it may also have a role in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.
Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits for Health
Due to its abundance in nutrients and essential fats, sea buckthorn oil has a significant positive effect on human health. Because of this, it has been used for centuries in ancient medicine and is now gaining popularity as a functional food and nutraceutical.
Antioxidants in sea buckthorn support the immune system and help to fight infection. Taken internally they will also help to promote healthy skin and hair.
Omega fatty acids encourage healthy cardiovascular function and support the brain and nervous system.
Omega 7 contained in sea buckthorn oil fights inflammation, lowers blood glucose and insulin resistance, as well as suppresses fat accumulation.
Flavonoids promote healthy immune system function and cell rejuvenation, as well as slow premature ageing.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, sea buckthorn can provide pain relief and aid in lessening inflammatory conditions such as GI tract issues, liver inflammation and sore joints.
Products for Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits
There are a number of skincare products and supplements containing sea buckthorn oil that will provide you with a myriad of sea buckthorn oil benefits.
Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil
The Ordinary Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea buckthorn oil benefits are nothing short of extraordinary. And as more research emerges on the benefits of this wonderful plant and omega 7, I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about it over time.
Are you going to try incorporating sea buckthorn oil into your beauty routine? How about trying an omega 7 or sea buckthorn supplement?
Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,
Shannon xo
The advice in this article is not a substitute for advice from your medical or healthcare provider. Unauthorised use and/or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited.
2 Comments
When you said that oil from a sea buckthorn plant can keep skin hydrated and defend it from environmental damage, I thought that I should make homemade ones to control my sister’s oily face. Before that, however, I should find a store that can deliver these shrubs to my home so that I can raise them. In a few months time, I can harvest the fruit and create a skin lotion as a Christmas and birthday present for her.
that sounds lovely! hope it goes well 🙂