Never heard of sea buckthorn oil? You’re not alone — but this remarkable little berry is gaining attention for all the right reasons, thanks to its more than 190 bioactive nutrients, and it’s time to get to know it.
When it comes to managing dry eye, we now understand that the approach needs to go far beyond simply reaching for artificial tears or applying heat therapy. While these essential first-line treatments remain a vital part of care for many people with dry eye, the latest thinking recognises that true long-term management requires looking deeper.
A more holistic approach — one that supports the health of your eyes from the inside out — can play an important role in helping to slow the progression of this chronic condition. Alongside targeted treatments and good eye care habits, nourishing your body with the right nutrients can make a meaningful difference.
And this is where sea buckthorn oil comes in. Packed with a unique combination of nutrients and fatty acids, this powerful natural oil is creating a buzz in the world of eye health, skin care, and wellness.
What is sea buckthorn oil?
Sea buckthorn oil is a nutrient-rich oil extracted from the bright orange berries and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant (Hippophae rhamnoides), a hardy shrub that thrives in some of the world’s harshest environments, including coastal regions, mountains, and areas with poor soil conditions.
Often described as a “superfruit” oil, sea buckthorn has been used traditionally for centuries, particularly in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, where its naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids have long been valued. Unlike many plant oils, sea buckthorn is unique because it contains a rare combination of omega fatty acids alongside carotenoids and other bioactive compounds that support overall wellbeing.
The oil is especially prized for its omega-7 content (palmitoleic acid), a fatty acid that is relatively uncommon in plant sources. This has made sea buckthorn a growing area of interest in nutritional science, particularly for supporting the body’s natural moisture balance, including the delicate surfaces of the eyes.
Just a few of sea buckthorns beneficial ingredients
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Vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, E, K)
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Fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, 7, 9)
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Mineral (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn)
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Carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin)
How is sea buckthorn oil harvested?
Harvesting sea buckthorn oil is a careful process, as the vibrant orange berries grow tightly clustered along thorny branches, making collection both challenging and labour-intensive. The berries are typically harvested when they reach peak ripeness, usually in late summer or early autumn, when their nutritional content and natural oils are at their highest.
Once collected, the berries are carefully processed to extract their valuable oils. There are two main sources: the berry pulp oil, which comes from the fleshy outer part of the fruit and is rich in carotenoids and omega-7, and seed oil, which is extracted from the tiny seeds and contains higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
High-quality sea buckthorn oil is usually produced using gentle extraction methods, such as cold pressing, to help preserve its delicate nutrients and natural properties. The result is a distinctive golden-orange oil — a concentrated natural source of compounds that has earned sea buckthorn its reputation as one of nature’s most intriguing wellness ingredients.
Why sea buckthorn oil supports dry eye?
Dry eye is an inflammatory condition and sea buckthorn oil contains powerful anti-inflammatory components which have been demonstrated to help support the body’s natural inflammatory response and maintain healthy mucosal surfaces.
Research into sea buckthorn oil has explored its potential role in supporting tear film quality, particularly in people experiencing dry eye symptoms. Its naturally occurring fatty acids may help support the composition of the tear film, while its antioxidant compounds — including carotenoids and vitamin E — help protect cells from oxidative stress.
A clinical study showed that after 12 weeks of sea buckthorn oil consumption eye moisture retention, foreign body sensation, and eye congestion were improved, bringing comfort to dry eye sufferers.
How sea buckthorn oil differs from other sources of omega oils
What makes sea buckthorn different from other sources of omega oil (such as cod liver or flax seeds) is that is rich in essential fatty acids, including omega-3, omega-6, omega-7, and omega-9. Of particular interest is the presence of omega-7 which is gaining scientific interest for its potential role in supporting ocular surface health.
What’s the best routine for your dry eye?
Be sure to ask your eye care professional for advice on the best treatments to address your specific type of dry eye and, as far as possible, the underlying causes. The recommended management routine will often follow the steps included in the Circle-of-Care® developed by the Dry Eye Zone® experts – and will include dietary advice and food supplements rich in anti-inflammatory omega essential oils, including sea buckthorn oil. The Dry Eye Zone® team has sourced a new supplement rich in nutrients from wild-harvested Finnish sea buckthorn oil, which combines clinically studied ingredients to help reduce dry eye symptoms while supporting healthy vision and tear film function. However, you need to be patient with food supplements, most scientific studies allow about 6-12 weeks to experience any change that is going to occur.
Make sure you explore the many links in this blog to bring more depth to the subjects touched on here and to help give you a fuller knowledge of all things dry eye related.
Don’t forget to visit Dry Eye Zone and subscribe to the regular free information and research updates.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms then you should ask the advice of your eye care professional.
Sources:
Z. Ciesarová, M. Murkovic, K. Cejpek, F. Kreps, B. Tobolková, R. Koplík, …, Z. Burčová. Why is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) so exceptional? A review Food Research International, 133 (2020), Article 109170
I. Song, H. Gu, H. Han, N. Lee, J. Cha, Y. Son, J. Kwon Omega-7 inhibits inflammation and promotes collagen synthesis through SIRT1 activation Applied Biological Chemistry, 61 (2018), pp. 433-439
Leong-Perng Chan, Tung-Wen Yen, Ya-Ping Tseng, Tina Yuen, Michael Yuen, Hywel Yuen, Chia-Hua Liang, The impact of oral sea-buckthorn oil on skin, blood markers, ocular, and vaginal health: A randomized control trial, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 112, 2024, 105973, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105973.
L. Jones et al. TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report. The Ocular Surface xxx (2017) 580e634 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.006
Solà Marsiñach M, Cuenca AP. The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health. Lipids Health Dis. 2019 Jun 22;18(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s12944-019-1065-9. PMID: 31228942; PMCID: PMC6589177.
Järvinen RL, Larmo PS, Setälä NL, Yang B, Engblom JR, Viitanen MH, Kallio HP. Effects of oral sea buckthorn oil on tear film Fatty acids in individuals with dry eye. Cornea. 2011 Sep;30(9):1013-9. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3182035ad9. PMID: 21832964.
Ren, R., Li, N. and Su, C., The bioactive components as well as the nutritional and health effects of sea buckthorn. 10.1039/D0RA06488B RSC Adv. 2020; 10 (73): 44654–44671 [online]
