Whether you’ve got dry skin, acne, a sunburn, or fine lines, sea buckthorn is an ingredient you want in your skin care routine. Discover where to find it below.
When it comes to skin care, orange really is the new black.
Sea buckthorn is a small orange berry packed with nutrients that are especially great for the skin. Though the ingredient has been around since ancient times, it’s having a renaissance in K-beauty right now.
Brands like Son Reve, Swanicoco, A’pieu, and Then I Met You have all harnessed the multi-tasking powers of the vibrant shrub. Here, we’re sharing just what makes the ingredient such a game-changer for all skin types.
It offers 360-degree hydration.
Sea buckthorn is a source of omega 3, 6, 7, and 9. These fatty acids, like linolic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid (omega-9), strengthen the skin’s barrier function to help lock in moisture (among other things), prevent moisture loss, and increase hydration in general.
These substances also aid in skin regeneration and repair, which is especially helpful during the harsh winter months or scorching summer months when the skin is particularly vulnerable.
It’s healing and can help treat acne.
It may seem counter-intuitive to apply an oil on oily and/or acne-prone skin, but the right one – i.e. sea buckthorn – can actually help balance the skin. The non-greasy oil is also a great pick because it’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.
The ingredient is also known to help heal acne scars and soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
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It shields skin from damage from environmental factors like the sun and pollution.
The ingredient is a rich source of antioxidants and contains an especially high content of vitamins A, C (it has 15 times more than an orange), and E. This means it’s a powerful tone-evening, skin-smoothing, and anti-aging (it stimulates collagen and prevents wrinkles and a loss of elasticity) tool.
Plus, it’s been shown to both provide UV protection (though it’s not an alternative for sunscreen) and help heal UV damage like sunburns.
Where can you find it?
Son Reve is a clean, eco-friendly (its packaging is printed with soy ink and is Forest Stewardship Council-certified) brand that uses sea buckthorn for its moisturizing and soothing properties. The Bio-Trio Essence, for example, helps nurse troubled skin (i.e. dull or sensitive) back to life with the hero ingredient and a blend of fermented extracts.
Sea buckthorn, also known as hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, makes up 80 percent of the Swanicoco Bitamin C Multi Solution Triple V Ampoule formula, hence its eye-catching orange color. The addition of vitamin C, niacinamide, and adenosine makes the formula a quadruple threat; it effectively treats uneven skin tone, dryness, sensitivities, and fine lines.
Sea buckthorn is a star ingredient in the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm ($38). The cleanser melts into skin like a dream and effectively removes oil-based impurities (like sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum). Because it’s so nourishing, you’ll never experience that tight post-cleansing feeling.
The Isntree C-Niacin Toning Ampoule is a nourishing, calming and brightening treatment that also offers the benefit of another antioxidant-rich ingredient: Vitamin C.
