Make space in your bathroom cupboard – there’s a new wonder ingredient to incorporate into your regular hair care regime. If you haven’t yet heard of sea buckthorn oil, you’re about to. In this article, we reveal 9 benefits of sea buckthorn oil for hair.
From providing moisture to minimizing hair shedding and improving elasticity, sea buckthorn oil has many benefits for hair. You can use sea buckthorn orally or apply topically depending on your preference.
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What Is Sea Buckthorn Oil?
You may have heard of sea buckthorn already – or you may know it by its nickname of the ‘miracle berry’, a name that derives from sea buckthorn’s many health benefits.
Sea buckthorn is a shrub found in Europe and Asia. It’s typically thorny but bears golden-orange fruits. It is from these berries and seeds that sea buckthorn oil derives.
Sea buckthorn oil resembles a thick, orange-colored liquid. It has actually been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as throughout Asia and Europe as a natural remedy for a variety of health issues and concerns.
High-quality sea buckthorn oil should be red or orange in hue, and typically fairly viscous in texture.
It can be applied topically to both your skin and hair, and is frequently used in cosmetic products as a wonder ingredient.
How to consume sea buckthorn oil
There are a number of ways to consume sea buckthorn oil.
It’s possible to also take the oil in capsule form, as well as via a tea made from the dried berries and leaves of the plant.
Sea buckthorn oil has so many health benefits as a result of its make-up. From vitamins like C, A, and E, through to fatty acids and omega-3, -6, -7, and -9, as well as plentiful antioxidants, sea buckthorn oil would add a real boost to anyone’s health.
In fact, a 2021 review reported that sea buckthorn oil is antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, too.
9 Benefits Of Sea Buckthorn Oil For Hair
Sea buckthorn oil contains over 60 antioxidants, as well as various vitamins and over 20 minerals.
As such, it is loaded with nutrients, all of which are beneficial for your hair.
These are nine of the benefits of sea buckthorn oil for hair:
1. May help with hair growth
Sea buckthorn oil contains many omegas and fatty acids.
There is plentiful evidence to suggest that omega fatty acids support hair growth and shine. This is because omegas are the ‘good’ fats needed by your body.
In terms of your hair, they protect against breakage and are essential to the health of hair follicles.
As such, by either consuming sea buckthorn oil or applying it topically to your hair, you may be helping to support your hair’s growth and overall shine.
Don’t forget that sea buckthorn oil also has benefits for overall health and skin health.
From softening skin dryness and reducing inflammation to supporting heart health, sea buckthorn oil may have many advantages beyond the benefits it will give your hair.
2. Stimulates blood circulation
You heard it here first – sea buckthorn oil helps with blood circulation. This means that greater oxygen is transported by your blood around your body.
Your hair needs this oxygen to grow, so by supporting blood circulation, sea buckthorn oil may support a healthy scalp and hair growth.
3. May help with dandruff
As detailed above, sea buckthorn oil is antifungal and antibacterial.
As such, if you suffer from dandruff or scalp sensitivities, sea buckthorn oil may help to manage the situation.
At the least, it will guard against infection and help to minimize any irritation or inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. May remove excess oil
A 2017 article evaluated the content of lipids (fats) within sea buckthorn oil and concluded that the oil may help to remove excess oil from the scalp and hair.
It’s for this reason that you may have noticed the oil’s inclusion in certain hair care products.
5. Moisturizing
That said, whilst sea buckthorn oil may help to reduce excess oil in the hair, it’s also intensely moisturizing, and will help to add some hydration to parched strands.
It also has this benefit for skin, too, so if you suffer from a dry, flaky scalp, sea buckthorn oil may help to soothe this.
In fact, sea buckthorn oil is often recommended by hairstylists for the treatment and support of dry, damaged hair.
So, if your strands are looking a little parched, using a topical sea buckthorn oil may help to get them back to health.
6. May reduce hair shedding
As well as potentially supporting hair growth, sea buckthorn oil might also reduce hair loss and shedding.
It contains folates and biotin, both of which are essential to the integrity of your hair strands and follicles – and healthier follicles mean less shedding.
7. May reduce aging
If you’re a fan of your silver strands, then that’s great.
But for some people, it can be a real confidence hit when gray hair starts to emerge – but you may not want to color your hair just yet.
Sea buckthorn oil has an oxidative effect – it’s actually well known for minimizing the appearance of fine lines on the skin.
As such, sea buckthorn oil may naturally reduce signs of aging in the hair, delaying any grayness.
8. Restores elasticity
Sea buckthorn oil is known for boosting collagen in the skin, thereby helping to support the skin’s elasticity.
It works in much the same way for hair, too. By improving the elasticity of hair, sea buckthorn oil may give your hair more bounce and body.
For curly girls, elasticity is essential to curl retention – so it may well be worth incorporating sea buckthorn oil for hair into your regime if you’re looking for curlier curls.
9. Improves hair texture
If you’re looking for stronger, more moisturized hair that’s smooth and silky, sea buckthorn oil may just be a wonder ingredient.
As well as strengthening the hair fiber and regenerating damaged hair, sea buckthorn oil can improve the texture of hair.
As such, if your hair is a little coarse or rough to the touch, applying sea buckthorn oil topically can work as a conditioning treatment to add some silky smoothness.
How Much Sea Buckthorn Oil Should I Take?
As reported by WebMD, there is no specified amount of sea buckthorn oil that an individual should consume.
Studies find no toxicity associated with short-term use. However, at the present time, there isn’t enough research on long-term use.
Most supplements come in dosages ranging from 350mg to 1,000mg.
Recommended Sources Of Sea Buckthorn
Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil
Containing argan oil and sea buckthorn oil, this hair oil will moisturize your hair without leaving a residue. It feels weightless and will help your locks to feel smoother and look shinier. Swedish haircare brand Sachajuan is big news in the beauty industry, and we’re fans of this sea buckthorn oil-enriched hair oil.
Jeune Naturelle Sea Buckthorn Oil
If you’re looking for the pure form of sea buckthorn oil, we recommend this organic, cold-pressed one. With no parabens, fragrances, or other additives, this sea buckthorn oil will seal moisture into parched strands, adding bounce and body to lifeless locks.
Seabuck Wonders Sea Buckthorn Oil Softgels
If capsules are your preference, these softgels from Seabuck Wonders are highly recommended. The sea buckthorn oil is USDA-certified organic for optimum quality and nutritional benefit. One serving will give you up to 380mg of omega-7, ensuring that you get the fatty acids and antioxidants that support your body’s overall functioning.
Potential Side Effects Of Sea Buckthorn Oil
There are few reports of sea buckthorn oil causing any side effects, however, if you intend to apply the oil topically, you should conduct a patch test prior to use.
This will ensure that you are aware of any irritation or sensitivity.
There isn’t enough research to support the use of sea buckthorn oil by either pregnant women, children, or teenagers.
If you do have concerns, it’s most sensible to consult with your physician prior to use, particularly if you intend to use it alongside other medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Sea Buckthorn Oil Help With Hair Growth?
Sea buckthorn oil may help with hair growth. From minimizing hair shedding to supporting healthy hair follicles, as well as ensuring blood circulation, sea buckthorn oil has many benefits for hair and might contribute to hair growth as a result.
Is Sea Buckthorn Oil Good For Skin?
Sea buckthorn oil has many benefits for the skin. It is anti-inflammatory and can ease the irritation caused by conditions like eczema, but can also contribute to the management of acne and dry or mature skin, too.
Is It Safe To Take Sea Buckthorn Oil Orally?
It is safe to take sea buckthorn oil orally, but you should aim to do so in capsule form, rather than by consuming the oil itself. Minimal toxicity is associated with short-term use, but pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as children and teenagers, would be best to avoid consumption.
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