Is Sea Buckthorn Oil Good For Skin? Benefits, Uses & Why It Works

Sea buckthorn oil is one of those ingredients that has quietly stood the test of time.

Used for centuries in traditional skincare, it’s now gaining attention again — not as a trend, but as a deeply supportive ingredient for healthy, resilient skin.

So what exactly is sea buckthorn oil good for, and why do we choose to use it in our formulations?

What Is Sea Buckthorn Oil?

Sea buckthorn oil is extracted from the vibrant orange berries of the sea buckthorn plant, which grows in cold, coastal regions of Scandinavia.

What makes this oil unique is its composition. It contains:

• Omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids

• Antioxidants

• Carotenoids (which give it its rich colour)

• Naturally occurring vitamin C

This combination makes it particularly effective at supporting the skin barrier and improving overall skin health.

Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits for Skin

1. Supports the skin barrier and hydration

Sea buckthorn oil is rich in essential fatty acids, especially omega 7, which plays an important role in maintaining the skin barrier.

A stronger barrier helps the skin retain moisture, making this oil especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.

2. Helps improve the appearance of dull or tired skin

Thanks to its antioxidant content and naturally occurring vitamin C, sea buckthorn oil helps restore a healthier, more radiant appearance.

It works gently to support the skin, rather than forcing rapid change (which can cause irritation and skin damage) — making it a good option for those looking for a more balanced approach to skincare.

3. Supports smoother-looking skin

By nourishing the skin and supporting its natural repair processes, sea buckthorn oil helps improve the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture.

4. Calms and supports sensitive or reactive skin

Sea buckthorn oil has naturally soothing properties, helping to reduce the appearance of redness and support skin that feels out of balance.

Why Sea Buckthorn Oil Works

Unlike many modern skincare ingredients that focus on quick results, sea buckthorn oil works by supporting the skin at a foundational level.

It provides the skin with nutrients it recognises and can utilise, helping to:

• Strengthen the skin barrier

• Support natural repair processes

• Protect against environmental stress

• Help support collagen production 

A Natural Alternative to Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most well-researched ingredients for supporting collagen production in the skin. It plays a key role in maintaining firmness and structure, as the skin relies on it to both form and stabilise collagen fibres.

However, many conventional forms of vitamin C—such as L-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate—can be unstable and prone to oxidation. They may also be irritating, particularly for sensitive skin. In some cases, these formulations begin to degrade before they even reach the skin, or have a very short shelf life, which can reduce their overall effectiveness.

Sea buckthorn oil offers a more gentle, stable, plant-based alternative. Naturally rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, it supports the skin’s own processes — including those involved in maintaining healthy collagen levels and supporting collagen production— without relying on unstable or aggressive forms of the ingredient.

If you’d like to understand more about how collagen works in skincare, we explore it in more detail here:
Does collagen skincare actually work? The truth about topical collagen

How to Use Sea Buckthorn Oil in Your Routine

Sea buckthorn oil can be used in a few different ways:

• As part of a facial oil or serum

• Mixed into a moisturiser

• As a targeted treatment for dry or dull areas

For best results, it’s most effective when used consistently.  

Where We Use It: Scandi Glow Face Oil

At Imogen, we use sea buckthorn oil in our Scandi Glow Face Oil.

We chose this ingredient not because it’s trending, but because it aligns with how we approach skincare — supporting the skin barrier, working gently yet effectively, and using plant-based ingredients that nourish the skin.

Scandi Glow is designed to:

• Nourish and support the skin barrier

• Improve the appearance of tired or dull skin

• Brighten and even skin tone

• Support the skin’s natural collagen processes
  

At Imogen Farm to Face, we believe in the power of plants, supported by science. We help you understand conventional skincare ingredients while empowering you to choose natural alternatives with confidence.