Mongolia has one of the harshest climates on Earth. Summers hit 40°C. Winters drop to -40°C. The wind never really stops. And yet, Mongolian women have been using a small, flame-orange berry to keep their skin healthy, glowing, and resilient for centuries — long before the global skincare industry discovered it.

That berry is sea buckthorn. And the oil extracted from it might be the most nutrient-dense skincare ingredient you've never heard of.

If your skin has been feeling dry, dull, or like it's aging faster than you'd like — this is worth knowing about.

What Is Sea Buckthorn Oil?

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a thorny shrub that grows across Central Asia, Siberia, and the Himalayan foothills. In Mongolia, it thrives at altitude — in the Khentii mountains and along the Orkhon River valley — growing wild in rocky, windswept terrain that would kill most plants.

The oil is cold-pressed from the small orange berries. It takes roughly 10 kg of berries to produce just 1 kg of oil, which is part of why it has stayed under the radar in mass-market skincare. But that concentration is also what makes it extraordinary: every drop is packed with active compounds that most plant oils simply don't contain.

The color is unmistakable — a deep amber-orange from its natural beta-carotene content. In skincare formulas it's typically blended at low concentrations (5–15%) so it absorbs cleanly without staining.

What It Does for Your Skin

Sea buckthorn oil is one of the few plant oils that contains omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) — a fatty acid that's naturally present in healthy skin but declines with age. Applying it topically helps restore the skin barrier, reduce water loss, and improve texture in a way that standard botanical oils (jojoba, argan, rosehip) simply can't.

Beyond omega-7, here's what makes it stand apart:

• Vitamin C — sea buckthorn berries contain up to 15x more vitamin C than oranges. In oil form this helps brighten skin tone, reduce dark spots, and support collagen production.
• Beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) — the compound responsible for the oil's orange color also accelerates skin cell renewal and gives a natural radiance boost.
• Vitamin E — a powerful antioxidant that protects against environmental damage and UV stress.
• Omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids — a complete fatty acid profile that deeply nourishes dry, damaged, or mature skin.

The combined effect: skin that's visibly plumper, more even, and better protected — without synthetic retinoids or harsh actives.

Why Mongolian Sea Buckthorn Is Different

Not all sea buckthorn is the same. The plant's nutritional density is directly shaped by its growing conditions — and Mongolia's extreme environment produces some of the most potent sea buckthorn on Earth.

Wild Mongolian sea buckthorn grows at elevations above 1,500 meters, where UV radiation is intense, temperatures swing by 80°C between seasons, and the soil is mineral-rich from ancient volcanic activity. To survive, the plant concentrates its protective compounds — the same antioxidants and fatty acids that protect it from oxidative stress are what make the oil so effective on skin.

Farmed sea buckthorn from milder climates produces larger yields but lower concentration of active compounds. Wild-harvested Mongolian berries, pressed in small batches, retain the full spectrum that makes this ingredient worth seeking out.

Lhamour Steppe Gold Facial Oil

Steppe Gold Facial Oil is Lhamour's signature formula — a lightweight blend built around wild-harvested Mongolian sea buckthorn, combined with rosehip seed oil and cold-pressed black seed oil to amplify the anti-aging and brightening effect.

It absorbs in under 60 seconds, leaves no greasy residue, and works for all skin types including combination and sensitive. The sea buckthorn is sourced directly from small-scale Mongolian farmers and cold-pressed to preserve the full active compound profile.

How to use:

1. Apply 3–4 drops to clean, slightly damp skin morning and/or evening.
2. Press gently into skin — don't rub.
3. Follow with SPF in the morning. No additional moisturizer needed for most skin types.

For best results, use consistently for 4–6 weeks. Most people notice improved texture within 2 weeks and a visible glow within 4.

Shop Steppe Gold Facial Oil →

Also, check out our Sea buckthorn foot salve for dry, cracked skin