Ingredient spotlight: Sea buckthorn oil

In the world of skincare, there seems to be a new, hot ingredient just about every day (in my inbox, at least). I definitely tend to mix natural ingredients with pharmaceutical-grade compounds (i.e. retinol) to keep my skin in tip-top shape because I’m not down with discrimination. Considering my affinity to oils, I was intrigued when Seabuck Wonders arrived on my doorstep, not only because this natural ingredient is packed with so many skin-friendly ingredients, but because the Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil can be used on the skin, AND used as a nutritional supplement. Talk about beauty inside and out…

When I cracked open this oil and put a few drops in my hand, I was taken aback by the dark, orange color. And I was even more taken aback when I put it on my face and looked like the guy from the movie Soul Man. I promptly emailed the brand’s publicist, and she had a few tips that helped me make the most of the fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants and omega-7s, which were sure to boost both the health and appearance of my skin. First, I could wash it off after letting it absorb for 15-20 minutes. Even better, I could mix a few drops into my moisturizer, and that totally eliminated the color issue. Most importantly, I was told to use it internally as well, so I started adding it to my matcha smoothies.

Science-wise, this oil has been found to help gastrointestinal and liver health, promote healthy gums and mitigate inflammation, so I was totally onboard. And the fact that one product could be used inside and out was pretty cool. I’ve also been using the Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion, and I have to say the once-scaly skin on my legs is now soft and supple.

Get ready to hear a lot more about this crazy-good ingredient… You can also find it in Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Body Oil and REN’s Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk, as well as a slew of supplements, so what are you waiting for?

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