Ingredient Spotlight: Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
Science and Magic
Sea Buckthorn Seed oil has been in the collective cosmetic consciousness for a while now and for good reason. It’s packed with nutrients.
Often listed as an infusion or maceration, the oil we use at Alchemy is super-potent, cold pressed and has to be diluted to prevent the berries from tinting your skin orange.
The Latin name for the berries, Hippophae, means “shining horse”, and is a direct reference to the legendary healing power of Sea Buckthorn. Mythology from Greece to Mongolia suggests that old or infirm horses were left to wander in the wilds where the berries grew and their health and vitality were restored (Montecho)
While many of the cosmeceutical ingredients in modern organic skincare haven’t been very well studied, Sea Buckthorn Seed has been researched relative to skincare and gut health, and even shown to reduce levels of blood cholesterol. The varieties and concentrations of anti-oxidents that are bio-availble is particularly high. The results aren’t mythical, but the cold pressed oils are shown to slow signs of aging, and even reduce certain conditions in the body.
Sea Buckthorn Seed oil has a balanced composition of fatty acids and vitamins that give sea-buckthorn oil skin regeneration and repair properties. Sea-buckthorn oil also improves blood circulation, facilitates oxygenation of the skin, removes excess toxins from the body and easily penetrates through the epidermis. (Lipidworld) (pubmed)
The vibrant orange color of the oil comes from the high concentration of alpha and beta carotene (think carrots). Carotenes belong to a group of chemicals that turn other chemicals into vital nutrients, like vitamins - more scientifically: Carotenoids are pro vitamin A. Vitamin A is a critical building block for healthy skin - and vision (ncbi, etc)
Where you’ll find it in our products
Folks who are already fans tell us they use the Patchouli + Rose Body Oil on the face and body, in their hair. And they use it for the way it makes their skin feel…and for the smell!
Here’s why it works- The blend is made with skin-loving healthy fats: Sweet Almond Oil (nourishing, soothing, anti-inflammatory) and Sea Buckthorn Seed oil which is prized for the high concentration of anti-oxidants, omega fatty acids, and it’s regenerative powers.
Your skin loves fats. Just as we need to feed our bodies healthy fats, the skin needs it too. Even light oils like Sweet Almond protect skin and trap moisture.
Find the Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil in the Patchouli Rose Oil
We source our Sea Buckthorn Seed oil from Mountain Rose Herbs
Photo by Anna Sjoblom via UnSplash
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