Sea buckthorn is a thorny shrub with small, bright orange berries. In Mongolia it grows along river valleys where winters fall to -40°C, and families have picked the berries for juice, jam and skin care for generations. Today its oil is one of the best-known ingredients for very dry skin.

Here is what sea buckthorn oil is, how it feels on the skin, and how to use it.

What is sea buckthorn oil?

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) gives two kinds of oil:

• Fruit (berry) oil, pressed from the orange pulp. It is deep orange and thick.
• Seed oil, pressed from the small seeds. It is lighter in color and texture.

The fruit oil is unusual among plant oils because it contains palmitoleic acid, also called omega-7, a fatty acid that is rare in plants. Its strong orange color comes from natural carotenoids. Because it is so concentrated, sea buckthorn fruit oil is almost always blended with other oils in skincare.

Why people with dry skin use it

Oils and balms help skin hold on to moisture by forming a soft layer on top. Sea buckthorn oil is rich and slightly heavy, so it suits skin that feels tight, rough or flaky, especially in cold, windy or heated rooms. Most people use it as part of a blend, where it adds richness and its warm orange color.

How to use sea buckthorn oil

On the face: warm 2 to 3 drops of a blended facial oil in your palms and press onto slightly damp skin after cleansing, morning or night. In the morning, follow with sunscreen.

On the body: after a shower, while skin is still damp, smooth a balm over elbows, knees, shins and hands.

On the feet: massage a rich salve into heels at night and put on cotton socks.

Will it stain my skin orange? Pure fruit oil can leave a slight tint. In a blend it is diluted and usually leaves no color, but let it absorb before touching light fabrics.

As with any new product, try a small patch of skin first.

Lhamour products with Mongolian sea buckthorn

Steppe Gold Facial Oil ($48): rosehip, olive, carrot, flax seed and sea buckthorn fruit oils, with vitamin E, lavender and rosemary. A facial oil for dry skin.

Sea Buckthorn Body Butter ($38): a dense balm of beef tallow, sheep tail fat, beeswax and plant oils, with rosehip and sea buckthorn fruit oil. For very dry skin on the body.

Sea Buckthorn Foot Salve ($18): tallow, soybean oil, beeswax and sea buckthorn with thyme and peppermint. For dry, rough heels.

All are handmade in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and ship from Texas.

FAQ

Is sea buckthorn oil good for dry skin?
It is a rich oil that many people with dry skin like to use in a blend, as a facial oil or in a body balm.

Can I use sea buckthorn oil every day?
Yes, most people use it once or twice a day. Start with a small amount.

What is the difference between fruit oil and seed oil?
Fruit oil comes from the pulp and is deep orange and thick. Seed oil comes from the seeds and is lighter.

Read more: Why your skin is still dry, even when you moisturize every day.