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Lipids & Fatty Acids

Sea Buckthorn Oil

Also known as: Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Seaberry oil, Omega-7 oil

The orange superberry oil — rare omega-7 for skin and mucosa, with evidence for dryness, cardiometabolic markers, and more.

  • By IngredientWiki Editorial Team
  • Fact-checked by IngredientWiki Editorial Team
  • Updated 2026-09-26
  • 2 min read

In short

Sea buckthorn oil is pressed from the berries and seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides, a hardy shrub native to the Eurasian steppe. Its calling card is omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) — a rare fatty acid that is a natural component of skin and mucous membranes — plus a deep orange color reflecting extreme carotenoid content and notable vitamin E. Clinical evidence covers dry eyes, vaginal dryness (topical and oral), skin barrier repair, and modest cardiometabolic improvements. There are two oils: seed oil (omega-3/6-rich) and berry pulp oil (omega-7-rich), with different profiles. It is generally safe; gastrointestinal upset at high oral doses is the main complaint.

  • Berry/seed oil of Hippophae rhamnoides; rich in omega-7
  • Extremely high carotenoid and vitamin E content
  • Evidence: dry eye, mucosal dryness, skin, cardiometabolic markers
  • Two profiles: berry oil (omega-7) vs seed oil (omega-3/6)

What is Sea Buckthorn Oil?

Sea buckthorn oil looks like liquid sunset — an almost fluorescent orange from one of the highest carotenoid concentrations in the plant kingdom — and it carries an equally unusual chemistry: omega-7, the fatty acid your skin and mucous membranes already use, supplied in rare abundance. That specificity gives the oil its niche: dry eye trials, vaginal and mucosal dryness, skin-barrier studies, and a respectable stack of cardiometabolic data from the plant's traditional homelands. It is a specialist's oil with surprisingly broad credentials.

Where it comes from

Natural sources

  • Berries and seeds of Hippophae rhamnoides, native to Eurasia; thrives in harsh climates
  • Berry pulp oil: 30–40% omega-7 (palmitoleic acid); seed oil: omega-3/6 rich
  • Used in Tibetan and Mongolian traditional medicine for centuries

How it's made

Softgels and liquids; typical oral doses 500 mg–2 g/day; also used topically at 1–5%.

What it does in products

  • Palmitoleic-acid supply for skin/mucosal lipids
  • Membrane antioxidant protection (carotenoids, vitamin E)
  • Barrier-function support
  • Cardiometabolic modulation (animal and human trials)

Benefits

Dry eye relief

moderate evidence

Randomized trials show oral sea buckthorn oil reduces dry-eye symptoms, including the burning and redness associated with screen use.

Mucosal and skin dryness

moderate evidence

Trials in postmenopausal vaginal dryness (oral and topical) and atopic skin report improved moisture and barrier markers.

Cardiometabolic support

emerging evidence

Small trials report improvements in lipid profiles and inflammatory markers in metabolic syndrome; data are consistent but limited in scale.

Skin healing

emerging evidence

Topical preparations improved wound healing and radiation-dermatitis outcomes in several studies.

Side effects & safety

Gastrointestinal upset at high doses (uncommon)Loose stools and nausea reported; reduce dose.
Mild topical staining (uncommon)The orange carotenoids can tint skin or clothing.

Safety considerations

  • Dietary amounts safe; supplement doses lack specific data — consult a clinician.
  • Anticoagulants — theoretical additive platelet effects at high omega doses
  • Blood-pressure medications — mild additive lowering possible
  • Not for: None firmly established; caution with bleeding disorders

How it's used

In supplements

500 mg–2 g/day orally; dry-eye trials often used 2 g/day. Topical use: 1–5% in creams or neat on small areas.

In skincare

1–5% in barrier creams and oils.

Regulatory status

  • Sold as a dietary supplement; no FDA-approved disease claims.
  • INCI name on cosmetic labels: Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil.
  • Assessed as safe in cosmetics.

Popular products containing Sea Buckthorn Oil

  • Sea Buckthorn Oil by SeabuckWonders — Omega-7 softgelsSeabuckWonders · Supplement
  • Sibu Beauty Sea Berry Therapy — Omega-7 topical lineSibu Beauty · Skincare
  • Omega 7 by Pure Encapsulations — Concentrated palmitoleic acidPure Encapsulations · Supplement

Product names and brands are shown for reference and belong to their respective owners.

Omega-7's specific niche

Palmitoleic acid is a natural component of skin sebum and mucosal lipids, declining with age — which mechanistically explains why omega-7-rich oils target dry eye and mucosal dryness specifically, rather than as generic oils. This is one of the few fatty-acid supplement niches with a clear tissue-specific rationale.

Berry oil vs seed oil

Berry (pulp) oil carries the omega-7 and most carotenoids; seed oil is dominated by omega-3 and omega-6. Dryness and mucosal uses favor berry oil; general antioxidant and cardiovascular uses can use either. Check the label's source — 'sea buckthorn oil' alone is ambiguous.

Frequently asked questions

Which sea buckthorn oil should I choose?

For dry eye and mucosal dryness, berry-pulp oil (omega-7). For omega-3-style supplementation, seed oil. Many products blend both.

Can I apply sea buckthorn oil directly to skin?

Yes, but expect orange tinting. Diluted at 1–5% in a carrier or cream it is more practical for daily use.

How long until dry-eye improvement?

Trials typically show improvement at 2–4 weeks of daily oral use; effects build with continued use.

The bottom line

Sea buckthorn oil is the specialist's fatty-acid supplement — omega-7 with real evidence for dry eye and mucosal dryness, wrapped in an extraordinary carotenoid profile.

References

  1. Sea buckthorn oil in dry eye: randomized trial. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21458963/
  2. Sea buckthorn oil: composition and health effects. PubMed Central. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28199099/
  3. Sea buckthorn oil in postmenopausal vaginal dryness. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24820587/