You know oranges contain vitamin C. You know olive oil contains omega fats. But did you know that there’s one little fruit that contains more vitamin C and more omega 7 than both of those foods? It’s called sea buckthorn, and not only is it full of amazing nutrients for the body, but it can also have incredible benefits for the hair and skin.
Never heard of the benefits of sea buckthorn? Read on to find out what this small orange fruit can do—and why you might want to make sea buckthorn oil or extract a regular part of your beauty and wellness routine.
What is sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is an evergreen shrub from Europe and Asia whose leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits are usually consumed in the form of juice or oil because of their powerful blend of nutrients. Sea buckthorn has long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and has been called a “wonder plant” for thousands of years. Sea buckthorn is thought to be good for the skin, blood sugar, heart, immune system, digestion, and liver. It may even have anti-cancer effects.
The beauty benefits of sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn oil contains contains at least 190 of bioactive substances, or as one study puts it, “an abundance of active substances which is unique in known vegetable oils” including vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C; flavonoids and carotenoids; as well as healthy fats such as omega 3, omega 6, omega 9, and especially omega 7.
These special omega fats are often referred to as “beauty omegas” because they contain powerful anti-inflammatories that increase collagen production, heal the skin, improve brightness and elasticity, hydrate the mucous membranes, and moisturize the eyes. “Sea-buckthorn oil has a beneficial effect on skin because it is a strong antioxidant,” the aforementioned study notes, before listing an impressive range of benefits: “This oil fights free radicals, rebuilds cells and delays cell aging, supports wound healing, reduces scars and discolorations, treats dermatoses, eczemas, ulceration, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, improves skin elasticity and structure, provides appropriate hydration of epidermis, limits excessive water loss, protects against harmful radiation (solar or x-rays), has a regenerative and anti-aging effect.”
In other words, pretty much everything you could want in terms of keeping your skin healthy and radiant and your overall body well. “Sea buckthorn oil is very rich in fatty acids and could play an important role in several activities related to human health,” explains another study that looked at the impact of sea buckthorn fatty acids.
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