Sea buckthorn is a unique berry packed with an array of nutrients which boasts a myriad of potential health benefits. Studies suggest that sea buckthorn may support a healthy immune system, protect your skin and keep your eyes and mucous membranes hydrated. Sea buckthorn is known for its impressive content of vitamin C and E, as well as beta-carotene, foliate and omega-7. In fact, it is the richest naturally occurring source of omega-7!
Sea buckthorn berries have many uses, and one way to benefit from them is to make them into an oil. Our sea buckthorn berry oil contains beta-carotene and omega-7, which may benefit skin and eye health as well as mucous membranes.
If you’re wondering how to consume sea buckthorn berry oil, the possibilities are endless! You can have it on its own, or drizzle over your morning bowl of oatmeal or yogurt. Alternatively, you can also dilute it in a carrier oil such as almond oil or hemp seed oil and use it on your skin as a moisturizer. These oils also have their own benefits for skin health.
Some people swear by sea buckthorn berry oil during menopause to assist with symptoms such as dryness. In fact, it is believed that the high omega-7 content may support mucous membrane health.
Using sea buckthorn berry oil as a moisturizer
Sea buckthorn berry oil has a bright yellow orange hue. This means it may leave a colored tinge on your skin if you apply it topically. This is good to know if you want to use it as a moisturizer; you can use it before going to bed and leave it on your skin overnight. You can then wash it off in the morning.
We recommend using dark-colored clothes, sheets and pillowcases if using sea buckthorns berry overnight so that any stains won’t be visible when the oil transfers from your skin to other surfaces.
A study looked at the effects of either a capsule of sea buckthorn oil or a skin cream containing it in women aged between 50 and 70 years. Both the capsule and the cream contained a mixture of sea buckthorn pulp oil and seed oil. Interestingly, sea buckthorn pulp oil is high in omega-7 whilst sea buckthorn seed oil contains omega 3 and 6.
Both groups reported increased skin hydration and elasticity. The group of women who consumed sea buckthorn berry oil reported a decrease in skin roughness, thus suggesting sea buckthorn oil’s potential anti-wrinkle effects. In addition, the group of women who applied the face cream reported increased skin thickness; this is due to increased collagen production (1).
Overall, sea buckthorn oil has proven benefits both when ingested and applied topically, providing hydration and moisture. So what are you waiting for? Try some today and see the benefits for yourself!
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
