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Sea Buckthorn Oil Review – 8 Things You Should Know Before You Buy

By Sasha de Beausset Aparicio, MSc

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Synopsis | Ingredients | Benefits | Warnings | Price | How To Use | Does it Work

Sea Buckthorn Oil is an herbal solution advertised as being effective in treating skin conditions, including more difficult disorders. It is produced by Mountain Rose Herbs.

Mountain Rose Herbs is a producer and distributor of organic herbal elixirs, tinctures, capsules, and oils for many health concerns. Moreover, it has several formulas for cosmetic use based on botanicals and also sells bulk spices and herbs. There are not many online retailers selling Mountain Rose Herbs products on their sites, which may explain in our view, the not so high number of online customer testimonials about the company and its formulations.

The producer claims Sea Buckthorn Oil is a potent formula rich in fatty acids, Vitamin,beta-caroteneand other compounds which substantiate the oil’s effectiveness in the treatment of skin problems. The product contains only sea buckthorn oil which was cold extracted from whole berries. It does not have additives or preservatives. The oil is thick like syrups and has an red/orange deep color. The product becomes less and less liquid at cold temperatures therefore it is recommended to keep it at typical room temperature. Buckthorn Oil is recommended for people suffering from eczema, ulcerations, skin burns and problematic skin conditions in general.

Synopsis

1) Sea Buckthorn Oil at a Glance

Sea Buckthorn Oil is an herbal alternative based on a plant from Russia and China used in traditional medicine for a long time. People have noticed that sea buckthorn provides relief in heart problems and skin disorders. The herb has also undergone laboratory tests, tests on animals and also several clinical trials on humans, but further research needs to be performed nonetheless. Researchers have shown that sea buckthorn may help with high blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat and for regulating plasma cholesterol levels. Moreover, based on laboratory tests, the herb has been shown to contain some chemical compounds which explain its benefits in regenerating skin, healing wounds and inflammations, burns, eczema and other skin conditions.

Sea buckthorn is considered a safe herb however it may interact with certain drugs (in particular, cancer medication, drugs for autoimmune conditions, and antibiotics). Moreover, specialists do not recommend it to pregnant or nursing women as the safety of the plant has not been studied for these conditions.

The FDA has not evaluated the safety and quality of the Mountain Rose Herbs products. The manufacturer does not mention potential side effects on its official website, however it advises use of Sea Buckthorn only sparingly as it is very potent. It also recommends using the product in skin care preparations or alone, by applying it directly on your skin. It may stain but it is easily washed off.

Ingredients

2) Sea Buckthorn Oil Ingredients

Sea Buckthorn Herbal Oil includes the following ingredient: Sea Buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides).

3) Does Sea Buckthorn Oil Work?

Sea Buckthorn Oil is based on a herb native to China and Russia which has been used as food but also for medicinal purposes. In folk medicine, the plant is used for cardiovascular problems and skin conditions. Scientific studies on animals showed that sea buckthorn might be useful in lowering blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and also in slowing down the heart rate. Also, laboratory tests have revealed that the plant contains palmitoleic acid, which plays a role in healing wounds, skin infections, burns and skin disorders. A clinical trial on humans proved that the oil is effective in the regeneration of and reducing inflammations caused by burned skin. There have also been some tests on animals which yielded encouraging results. Nonetheless more research is needed. Moreover, specialists also say that sea buckthorn oil may also support healthy hair.

The herb may interact with medication for autoimmune diseases, with cancer drugs and an antibiotic (farmorubicin). As to side effects, specialists state that it is not toxic to the human body and it is well tolerated. However, the safety of sea buckthorn on pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers has not been researched.

The FDA has not overseen the quality and safety of Sea Buckthorn Oil marketed by Mountain Rose Herbs. The manufacturer advises using the product sparingly as this is a concentrated formula. Moreover, it recommends either using the oil directly on the skin or includes it in skin care preparations. The product may stain the skin and clothes however it washed off quite quickly.

We have not found online customer reviews on Sea Buckthorn Oil. Therefore we do not have information on how satisfied customers have been with it.

Benefits

4) Sea Buckthorn Oil Benefits & Results

  • The average cost per ounce is $7 (2oz bottle), $9.25 (4 oz), $8 (8oz) and $7.1 (16 oz), and given that it should be used occasionally and in small quantities, the product should be affordable
  • Sea buckthorn is considered a safe herb
  • You can return the product in 60 days for a full refund

Warnings

5) Sea Buckthorn Oil Product Warnings

  • Shipping charges may be relatively expensive (more than $6)
  • The number of consumer reviews is very limited
  • It is not available at many online retailers
  • It could interact with several prescription drugs (cancer, autoimmune diseases, farmorubicin)

Price

6) Sea Buckthorn Oil Price

The product is sold in bottles of 2, 4, 8 and 16 ounces. The average cost per ounce and the fact that it should be used in small quantities recommends it as a moderately priced product. Sea Buckthorn Oil can be ordered online from Mountain Rose Herbs, as well as by telephone, by fax and by mail. Shipping charges may be expensive, however. Also, you have the option of picking up your order from the producer’s headquarters in Oregon.

You can return the formula in 60 days from the date of the invoice and obtain a full refund. The producer does not charge restocking fees however you will have to pay the shipping costs.

The product is not so widely available at online retailers.

How To Use

7) How to Use Sea Buckthorn Oil

Sea Buckthorn Oil is sold in bottles of four sizes, of 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 8 ounces and 16 ounces respectively and the price per ounce varies depending on the bottle size.

Does it Work

8) Bottom Line – Does It Really Work?

Sea Buckthorn Oil is promoted as a highly prized and potent solution for healing wounds, scars, ulcerations, and other skin conditions. The herb is well known in folk medicine, and has been documented in clinical research nonetheless more clinical trials need to be performed for some ailment claims. The herb is also considered safe, meaning it does not usually cause side effects. It seems to interact with some drugs therefore we recommend you to ask for advice from a healthcare specialist if you are taking other medication. Moreover, we believe it would be safer for breastfeeding women and during pregnancy as safety as not been documented in these cases.

3.5/5 - (2 votes)
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Kevin R.

I have been suffering from rosacea for some time now. I found Sea Buckthorn Oil one of the most useful products I tried, it made my redness calm down from the first day of use. The bumps have not gone away but I’ve been using it for just a few days.

Linda J.

I am having eczema problems since I was little and I have tried tons of herbal products. I am quite satisfied with Sea Buckthorn Oil. What I especially like about it is the fact that it doesn’t come with side effects.