You have probably seen it on an ingredient list and wondered: what is sea buckthorn oil, and why does it keep showing up in skincare? The short answer is that it is a bright orange oil pressed from the berries and seeds of a hardy shrub, and it carries a fatty acid that our own skin already makes.
This guide is the plain-English version: where the sea buckthorn berry comes from, what omega-7 actually is, why the oil is so orange, what it feels like on skin, and how we use it across the Loved01 line. If you want the full research review, our deep-dive on sea buckthorn oil benefits for skin covers the studies in detail.
What Is Sea Buckthorn Oil?
Sea buckthorn oil is a plant oil pressed from the berries and seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides, a thorny shrub that grows in cold, dry regions of Asia and Europe. It is one of the richest plant sources of omega-7 fatty acid and is naturally packed with carotenoids and vitamin E, which give it a vivid orange color.
Researchers have counted more than 190 bioactive compounds across the sea buckthorn fruit, seed and juice, including vitamins, flavonoids, carotenoids and all four omega fatty acids: 3, 6, 7 and 9, according to a review in Food and Chemical Toxicology. In practical terms, sea buckthorn oil in skincare works like a nourishing, cushiony oil that helps skin feel soft and stay moisturized.
Where Does the Sea Buckthorn Berry Come From?
The sea buckthorn berry grows on a tough, silver-leaved shrub native to the mountains, steppes and coastlines of Europe and Asia, from the Himalayas and Central Asia to Mongolia, Russia and Scandinavia. The small, tart orange berries cluster tightly along thorny branches and are harvested in late summer and autumn.
It thrives in sandy, salty coastal soil and on high, windswept slopes where little else grows. A plant that survives harsh sun, wind and cold builds up protective compounds, and those compounds end up concentrated in its fruit.
The shrub produces two oils. Seed oil, pressed from the tiny seeds, is golden-yellow and lighter. Berry oil, taken from the fruit pulp, is deep orange and carries most of the pigments. Skincare formulas use one or both.
Sea Buckthorn Oil at a Glance
Source:
Berries and seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides, a hardy shrub native to Europe and Asia.
Signature Nutrient:
Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid), a fatty acid also found naturally in the oil our skin produces. Sea buckthorn is among the richest known plant sources of it.
Color:
Deep orange from carotenoids, the same family of pigments found in carrots and tomatoes, including beta-carotene and lycopene.
Safety Profile:
EWG Skin Deep rates sea buckthorn oil a 1, its lowest hazard score, with low concern for allergies.
What Is Omega-7, and Why Does It Matter for Skin?
Omega-7 is a family of fatty acids, and the main one in sea buckthorn oil is palmitoleic acid. Our skin already makes palmitoleic acid as part of sebum, its natural protective oil, and levels tend to decline with age. Because omega-7 for skin is a familiar building block rather than a foreign one, it blends in comfortably.
Think of your skin's outer layer as a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks and a mix of fats is the mortar that keeps water in and irritants out. When that mortar runs low, skin feels tight, rough or easily bothered. Plant oils help top it up. A 2018 review of topical plant oils in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that many plant oils support the skin barrier and have calming, antioxidant properties. Sea buckthorn brings an unusual mix to that job: omega-7 alongside omega-3, 6 and 9.
Why Is Sea Buckthorn Oil Orange?
Sea buckthorn oil is orange because the berry is loaded with carotenoids, natural plant pigments such as beta-carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin. These are the same compounds that color carrots, tomatoes and apricots. In the plant they act as built-in sun shields, and in skincare they contribute antioxidant activity that helps defend skin against everyday environmental stress.
Pure berry oil is so pigmented that a few undiluted drops can briefly tint very fair skin or stain a white towel. That is a quirk of the raw oil, not of a finished product. In Loved01 formulas, Sea Buckthorn Oil is blended with other plant oils, butters and moisturizers, so the color is diluted and our products go on without an orange cast.
Why Do People Eat Sea Buckthorn Berries?
Sea buckthorn berries have been a traditional food for centuries in the Himalayas, Central Asia, Mongolia, Russia and Northern Europe, where they are pressed into juice or cooked into jams, syrups and sauces. They are prized as a nutrient-dense fruit, naturally rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and omega-7 fatty acids.
The berries are sharply tart, closer to a lemon than a blueberry, which is why they are usually sweetened or blended with other fruit. That nutritional density, built up to survive harsh climates, is the same reason the oil is valued in skincare: the vitamins and pigments that make the berry a standout food are the ones that make its oil richer than a plain carrier oil. Our focus here is the oil on your skin, not supplements.
What Does Sea Buckthorn Oil Feel Like on Skin, and Who Is It For?
Sea buckthorn oil feels silky and cushioning rather than slick, and in a blended product it sinks in without a greasy film. It suits most skin types, especially dry, normal, mature and sensitive skin that needs extra moisture and comfort. Low-concern safety data make it a gentle choice for everyday use on face and body.
Is sea buckthorn oil good for dark skin? For many people with melanin-rich skin, yes. On deeper skin tones, dryness tends to show up as ashiness, and irritation can leave dark marks that linger long after the redness fades. A gentle, moisture-supporting oil that keeps skin comfortable fits well into a routine built to avoid that cycle. Our guide to sea buckthorn oil for dark spots explains where its carotenoids fit in, and anyone managing persistent discoloration should see a board-certified dermatologist.
For very dry, easily irritated skin, see our guide to sea buckthorn oil for eczema. If your skin is reactive or you have known plant allergies, patch test any new product on your inner arm for a couple of days first.
How Does Loved01 Use Sea Buckthorn Oil?
Loved01 pairs Sea Buckthorn Oil with Rosehip Oil in a signature botanical blend that appears across our moisturizers, lotion, face oil and cleansers. Sea Buckthorn Oil contributes omega-7 and carotenoids; Rosehip Oil adds its own fatty acids and vitamin-rich profile. Together they help skin feel soft, moisturized and comfortable, for every skin tone.
You will find the blend in our Face + Body Moisturizer, Hand + Body Lotion, Cream Cleanser, Hand Wash, Exfoliating Cleanser and Face + Body Oil. In each, it works alongside other plant oils, butters and glycerin rather than on its own, and every formula is made without sulfates, parabens or synthetic fragrance. To learn more about its partner ingredient, read our guide to Rosehip Oil benefits for skin, or see why the two work as a team in the Sea Buckthorn Oil and Rosehip Oil combination.
Face + Body Oil
Our most direct way to get Sea Buckthorn Oil on your skin, and an Allure Best of Beauty 2023 winner. It blends Sea Buckthorn Oil and Rosehip Oil with sunflower and safflower oils, vitamin E and a vitamin C derivative in a lightweight oil that absorbs quickly. Press a few drops into face, elbows and knees after showering or as the last step of your routine.
Prefer one step? The Face + Body Moisturizer and Hand + Body Lotion fold the same blend into a creamy, fast-absorbing texture with shea butter and jojoba oil, so you get the comfort of sea buckthorn without adding an oil to your routine. For a richer butter in the mix, see our guide to shea butter for skin.
What Loved01 Customers Say
Loved01 Face + Body Oil gives my face and body a glowing look. I use this face and body oil after showering and apply it to my face and dry areas like my elbows and knees. It quickly absorbs into my skin and leaves it soft and moisturized. — Cin875
I really like this face and body oil, its not too greasy and it blends well into skin. No greasy hands left behind. Smells fantastic and I've noticed the extra boost of moisture on my skin. My face looks glowy and hydrated. — toyya26
This is my new favorite hand and body lotion. It leaves your skin hydrated and feeling smooth and soft. This lotion has Vitamin E, Rosehip oil, Sea Buckthorn, and Sunflower Oil. I love that you can use it on your hand and body. — itgtsbetr
Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Buckthorn Oil
Is sea buckthorn oil good for dark skin?
Yes. Sea buckthorn oil is a gentle, low-concern plant oil that helps skin hold onto moisture, which matters for deeper skin tones where dryness shows up as ashiness and irritation can leave lingering marks. It suits most skin types. For persistent dark spots or a skin condition, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Will sea buckthorn oil stain my skin orange?
Not in a blended product. Pure sea buckthorn berry oil is deeply pigmented and can briefly tint very fair skin or fabric. In Loved01 formulas it is blended with other plant oils, butters and moisturizing ingredients, so the color is diluted and products go on without leaving an orange cast.
What is the difference between sea buckthorn seed oil and berry oil?
Sea buckthorn seed oil is pressed from the small seeds, is golden-yellow and lighter, and is richer in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Berry (fruit pulp) oil comes from the flesh, is deep orange, and carries most of the carotenoids and the omega-7 palmitoleic acid. Skincare uses either or both.
Can I use sea buckthorn oil every day?
Yes. Sea buckthorn oil is mild enough for daily use, morning and night, on face and body. It works best as the last step after cleansing and moisturizing, or built into a moisturizer or lotion. As with any new product, patch test first if your skin is reactive or you have known plant allergies.
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