Rowan & Thistle

PLATE No. 058

Ingredient Collection

Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil

Hippophae rhamnoidesHippophae rhamnoides

Botanical plate of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides): a thorny branch of narrow silver-green leaves crowded with bright orange berries, beside a berry cluster, a berry cut open, a single brown seed and a thorn.

Figure Key

  • Fig. 1 Fruiting branch
  • Fig. 2 Cluster of ripe berries
  • Fig. 3 Berry cross-section
  • Fig. 4 Seed
  • Fig. 5 Thorn

The Ingredient

Sea buckthorn produces brilliant orange berries that grow in dense clusters along its thorny branches. The fruit itself is the source of the oil we use. The dried berries are extracted to produce an intensely colored orange-red oil naturally rich in carotenoids—the plant pigments responsible for much of that vivid color. These compounds provide antioxidant support, while the oil helps condition and soften dry or stressed-feeling skin.

From Plant to Ingredient

  1. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, step 1 — Sea Buckthorn Berries: a cluster of five bright orange sea buckthorn berries.

    1. Sea Buckthorn Berries

    Sea buckthorn produces clusters of vivid orange berries along its branches.

  2. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, step 2 — Inside the Berry: a sea buckthorn berry cut open showing orange flesh around a dark seed.

    2. Inside the Berry

    Cutting open the fruit reveals its flesh and central seed.

  3. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, step 3 — Dried Sea Buckthorn Berries: a cluster of wrinkled, dried orange-red berries.

    3. Dried Sea Buckthorn Berries

    The berries are dried before the oil is extracted.

  4. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, step 4 — Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil: a thick drop of deep orange-red oil.

    4. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil

    The dried berries are CO₂ extracted to produce an intensely colored orange-red oil.

Why We Chose It

Sea buckthorn fruit oil gives us rich conditioning along with naturally occurring carotenoids—the plant pigments responsible for many of the bright yellow, orange, and red colors found in fruits and vegetables. These pigments also act as antioxidants, helping protect against everyday environmental stress. We particularly like sea buckthorn for facial care designed for skin that feels dry, depleted, or stressed.

What You'll Notice

  • Softer Skin — Helps dry and rough-feeling skin feel smoother and better conditioned.
  • Moisture Support — Helps skin stay feeling comfortable and conditioned.
  • Nourishing Feel — Provides richer conditioning for skin that feels dry or depleted.
  • Antioxidant Support — Naturally occurring carotenoids help protect against everyday environmental stress.

Botanical Profile

Scientific Name
Hippophae rhamnoidesHippophae rhamnoides
INCI Name
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Plant Part Used
Fruit
Final Ingredient
Oil
Origin
China

A Closer Look

Sea buckthorn's intense orange color isn't just decorative. It comes partly from carotenoids, the same broad family of natural plant pigments responsible for many of the yellow, orange, and red colors found in fruits and vegetables. Those pigments carry through into the fruit oil, which is why genuine sea buckthorn fruit oil can be dramatically darker than many familiar botanical oils.

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