If your skin feels like it’s suddenly staging a rebellion—more dryness, more sensitivity, more redness—you’re not imagining things. The hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause can make your once-reliable skincare routine feel like it's suddenly missing something. Enter sea buckthorn oil, a golden-hued ingredient packed with skin-replenishing omegas and antioxidants that help restore vitality and suppleness.
What is sea buckthorn oil?
Sea buckthorn oil is a natural oil derived from the berries, seeds, and leaves of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides). It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its healing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-nourishing properties. Packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, sea buckthorn oil has gained popularity in modern skincare, holistic health, and nutritional supplements.
Where does sea buckthorn oil come from?
Sea buckthorn is a hardy shrub native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in cold, dry climates like the Himalayas, Siberia, and coastal areas. The ancient Greeks reportedly fed the berries to their horses to make their coats shiny and healthy, which is how the plant got its genus name Hippophae, meaning "shiny horse."
How does sea buckthorn oil improve skin?
Pure sea buckthorn oil is a powerful natural remedy for skin conditions, including dryness, eczema, rosacea, and acne. It helps to boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, soothe irritated skin, and provide deep hydration and protection against moisture loss. Clinical studies show improvements in skin sensitivity and reduction in inflammatory markers with topical application of the ingredient. Here are some specific benefits:
10 Skin Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Oil
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Deep hydration: Rich in essential fatty acids (omega-3, -6, -7, and -9), sea buckthorn oil helps replenish moisture and combat the dryness that often comes with hormonal shifts.
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Barrier repair: Sea buckthorn oil’s high concentration of omega-7 supports the skin’s natural lipid barrier, reducing water loss and improving resilience.
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Soothes sensitivity and redness: Packed with anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps calm irritation.
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Helps with the appearance of firmness: With a potent dose of vitamin C, sea buckthorn oil encourages collagen synthesis, helping to maintain skin firmness and elasticity.
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Helps even skin tone: The oil’s antioxidants, including carotenoids and flavonoids, help fade dark spots and improve overall skin tone.
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Protects skin: Loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, it helps shield the skin from oxidative stress and pollution.
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Helps soften fine lines and wrinkles: Its regenerative properties help smooth the appearance of fine lines by improving skin texture and elasticity.
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Promotes skin healing: Traditionally used for wound healing, its rich nutrient profile supports skin repair and reduces scarring.
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Provides lightweight moisture: While deeply nourishing, sea buckthorn oil is lightweight and non-greasy, making it suitable even for combination and acne-prone skin.
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Enhances radiance: The high levels of beta-carotene give it a natural golden hue that can boost your glow. (A word of warning: Pure sea buckthorn oil is can stain your skin and linens. We recommend reaching for an oil, moisturizer, or serum that uses sea buckthorn oil in lower concentrations alongside other botanicals to reap the benefits without any of the downsides.)
Why is sea buckthorn oil a great skincare ingredient for perimenopausal and menopausal skin?
Declining estrogen levels that come with perimenopause and menopause affect your skin’s barrier — the permeable layer of outermost skin cells that keeps irritants out and moisture in. A compromised barrier can make skin look dry, dull, flaky, textured, or red. Sea buckthorn oil is rich in omega-7 fatty acids, which when used in combination with other moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, can help restore the skin’s natural lipid barrier, preventing transepidermal water loss.
A weakened barrier also makes skin more prone to irritation and sensitivity. Sea buckthorn oil reinforces the skin’s protective layer, helping to lock in moisture and shield against irritants, pollutants, and oxidation.
How do we use sea buckthorn oil at Phosis?
Phosis’s founder and CEO, Susan Campbell, is a menopause educator and certified skincare formulator. She thoughtfully curated a proprietary blend of antioxidant-rich botanical oils for Luminous Ultrafine Revitalizing Face Oil, which includes sea buckthorn oil, meadowfoam seed oil, prickly pear seed oil, and pomegranate seed oil. Together, these ingredients bring clinically proven relief to dry skin. Use it alone or over moisturizer to illuminate dull skin. The lightweight formula boosts softness, improves radiance, and restores suppleness. And, because skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation in perimenopause and menopause, the product is free of fragrance and essential oils.
