The benefits of sea buckthorn for the skin have made this bright orange berry a standout for those dealing with dryness, irritation, flare-ups, and other similar issues.
What makes it so interesting is that it’s not just trendy or pretty on an ingredients list. Sea buckthorn is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and plant compounds that can make a real difference to your skin.
For those who want cleaner beauty products with a real purpose, this one ingredient is worth knowing about. It’s one of the many wonderful ingredients we’ve included in our all-healing Repairing Skin Balm, which is excellent for healing and for skin prone to eczema, rosacea and acne.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for Skin: What is it?
Sea buckthorn comes from Hippophae rhamnoidesa thorny shrub that grows in parts of Europe and Asia. The berries are a vibrant golden-orange color and both the pulp and seeds can be used to make the oil.
These oils contain a blend of nutrients that skin loves, including essential fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols. Sea buckthorn is best known for containing palmitoleic acid, also called omega-7, which is less commonly found in vegetable oils and has attracted attention for its role in skin repair and support.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for Skin 1: Barrier support
One of the biggest reasons sea buckthorn is gaining attention in skin care is because it can help support the skin barrier. When your outer barrier is damaged, the skin loses moisture more quickly and often becomes dry, rough, reactive and more likely to sting or flake.
Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that sea buckthorn seed oil improved hydration markers by increasing AQP3, a protein that helps move water through the skin, and HAS2, which helps the skin produce moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid. Simply put, this means that sea buckthorn can help the skin stay better hydrated and feel less dry.
According to a review published in Lipids in health and diseaseThe compounds in sea buckthorn hydrate the skin, improve elasticity and accelerate cell turnover – all crucial for keeping the skin healthy and hydrated.
Sea buckthorn benefits for the skin 2: Soothing inflammation
Another reason people talk about sea buckthorn when it comes to skin care is its effect on inflammation. Inflammation is one of the causes that makes the skin look red, feel tender, itch or react easily. A Review 2025 found that sea buckthorn appears to work on different parts of the inflammatory process, while also providing antioxidant support. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the skin against stress caused by pollution, UV light and normal wear and tear.
Sea buckthorn benefits for the skin 3: Soothing eczema
Sea buckthorn also looks promising for eczema-prone skin. In one studyit improved atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Researchers found that sea buckthorn helped calm certain inflammatory markers in the skin.
Animal studies have also shown that sea buckthorn oil works by restoring the balance of immune signals disrupted in eczema, while also strengthening the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss and sensitivity. The essential fatty acids in the oil appear to be the main drivers of these effects.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for Skin 4: Support wound healing
This is one of the strongest parts of the sea buckthorn story. Several studies suggest that it can help damaged skin heal more effectively.
Studies show that sea buckthorn promotes the growth of new cells, stimulates collagen production and accelerates wound closure. In one study of patients with second-degree burns, researchers compared standard silver sulfadiazine dressings with sea buckthorn dressings and found that sea buckthorn performed better at speeding healing time. The researchers concluded that the use of sea buckthorn could shorten the treatment time of second-degree burns.
In one Study from 2024Researchers tested sea buckthorn seed extract on human skin fibroblasts, which are cells that help build collagen and repair damaged skin. They found that the extract supported cell growth, cell movement and hydroxyproline production, which is important because hydroxyproline is bound to collagen, one of the key building blocks the skin uses during recovery.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for Skin 5: Smoother scar recovery
There is some evidence that sea buckthorn – especially because it accelerates wound healing – can help reduce the development of scars. When the skin heals properly, stays hydrated and has less inflammation, newer spots can heal more smoothly over time. It is best used to support the healing process, with the added benefit that it can help improve how the skin looks afterwards.
Sea buckthorn benefits for skin 6: Antioxidant protection
The deep orange color of sea buckthorn is an indication that it contains antioxidants. These are ingredients that help protect the skin against oxidative stress, which is damage caused by, for example, UV light and pollution. Oxidative stress can make skin look dull, irritated and worn. Researchers also describe sea buckthorn as rich in carotenoids and tocopherols, plant compounds that help protect the skin.
Sea Buckthorn Benefits for Skin 7: Anti-aging
Healthy skin constantly renews itself. Old cells shed and new ones take their place. As we age – or if we encounter skin conditions that disrupt this process – that renewal slows down.
Sea buckthorn actively supports cell regeneration, making the skin look and feel fresher and more resilient. The palmitoleic acid from sea buckthorn is particularly valuable here. This omega-7 fatty acid occurs naturally in human skin and has been shown to promote the growth of both normal keratinocytes (surface skin cells) and fibroblasts (the cells responsible for collagen production).
Where can you find sea buckthorn?
If you want to put sea buckthorn oil to work for you, look no further than CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm. It is specially formulated for the types of challenges this ingredient is best known for: eczema, inflammation, wound healing, scar reduction and barrier repair.
True to CV Skinlabs’ philosophy, Restorative Skin Balm combines sea buckthorn with other clinically tested, clean ingredients. It contains no harsh chemicals, no synthetic fragrances and no unnecessary additives. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who manages sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin and wants results they can feel good about.
For best results, apply the balm to clean, dry skin whenever you need comfort and protection. It works especially well on rough areas, chapped lips, dry cuticles, flaky areas around the nose, irritated areas and areas that feel sensitive or overworked. It may also be useful after exposure to wind, cold weather, frequent hand washing, laser/medical treatments or other daily stresses that leave the skin dry and fragile. Because it is a rich balm, a small amount goes a long way.
Have you tried sea buckthorn oil in your skin care products?
Featured image by Kris Møklebust via Pexels.
