Ingredient Spotlight: Sea Buckthorn Berries
What are Sea Buckthorn Berries?
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) is a spiny ornamental shrub with bright orange, edible, tart berries that abundantly cover the branches in the fall. They are native to coastal and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. The berries were used in ancient Greece as food for horses to promote weight gain and a shiny coat. In fact, the generic Latin name "Hippophae" translates to "shiny horse". Sea buckthorn has been used for centuries in both Europe and Asia as food; and for its pharmaceutical and cosmetic properties. The fruit is made into jelly, marmalade, syrups and sauces, or added to ice creams and sorbets. Oils and extracts from the fruit and seeds are used in many cosmetic products today.
Health Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Berries
Sea buckthorn berries are rich in almost 200 vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. It’s naturally full of antioxidants, which help protect your body against free radicals and illnesses.
Its berries are especially rich in vitamins A, C, K, and E. They also contain considerable amounts of iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and zinc.
Oil from the sea buckthorn fruit is rich in vitamin E, carotenoids, phytosterols and essential fatty acids, all of which have beneficial medicinal properties for the treatment of internal and topical ailments. In particular, this oil contains rare palmitoleic acid (omega-7) which is a component of skin lipids and stimulates regenerative processes in the epidermis and wound healing.
Its properties may promote heart health, reduce blood sugar levels, boost your immune system, support liver health, improve digestion, relieve symptoms of menopause, and treat dry eyes.
Sea Buckthorn Seed vs Fruit Oil vs CO2
Not all sea buckthorn oils are the same. You may see on ingredient labels sea buckthorn seed oil, fruit oil, or CO2. While they all have great benefits, they do have slightly different properties.
Sea buckthorn seed oil is a rich, emollient oil that's great for dry skin. It contains Omega 3, 6 and 9, making it a great moisturizer for dry and mature skin. It is a pale yellow or orange in color and a thinner viscosity.
Sea buckthorn fruit oil or CO2 contains Omega 6 and 7, which are highly sought after for aiding in skin repair and regeneration. This makes the fruit oil ideal for problem skin. It is a dark red/orange color with a viscous texture.
In our Baobab Face Oil, we use sea buckthorn CO2. Supercritical CO2 extraction is the best method for producing sea buckthorn oil. It helps protect the active properties of the plant material and produces the highest-quality pure plant extract.
To perform this extraction, the fruits are ground and placed in an extraction vessel. Then, CO2 gas is put under pressure to produce a high temperature. Once the ideal temperature is reached, a pump is used to transmit the CO2 into the extraction vessel where it encounters the fruit. This breaks down the trichomes of the Sea Buckthorn berries and dissolves part of the plant material. A pressure release valve is connected to the initial pump, allowing the material to flow into a separate vessel. During the supercritical phase, the CO2 acts as a "solvent" to extract the oil from the plant. Once the oil is extracted from the fruits, the pressure is lowered so the CO2 can return to its gaseous state, dissipating quickly. The finished product is a pure, solventless sea buckthorn oil.
Topical Skin Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Oil
Aids in moisturizing and softening skin - Linoleic acid
Strengthens lipid barrier of the epidermis in dry skin - Gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
Protects against transepidermal water loss (TEWL) - Linoleic acid
Reduces the effects of sunburns - Gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
Accelerates skin regeneration and cell renewal - Gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
Reduces inflammation - Phospholipids and glycolipids
Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles - Polyphenols (antioxidants)
Improves elasticity - Phospholipids and glycolipids
Sustainability of Sea Buckthorn
Our Sea Buckthorn CO2 is grown in Germany using organic farming and sustainable harvesting methods. Harvest occurs when the berries have reached maturity, leaving the majority of the plant intact to grow for the next season’s harvest. Sea buckthorn boosts nitrogen levels in soil and support their native habitat.
The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.