I had a friend who needed to use natural lotion all over her body every time she took a shower, or her skin would become so dry that it started flaking. This was completely new to me because my skin is naturally oily, and I almost never use lotion.
When I was younger, my skin was really oily and prone to breakouts—not exactly ideal during high school. Even as an adult, my skin still tends to be oily. Occasionally, it can be both dry and oily at the same time, which is a little confusing.
On one side, I hope it means I’m going to age well like my 85-year-old great aunt, who doesn’t seem to age or go gray. But on the flipside, I’ve been trying to master dealing with skin that is both dry and oily.
I discovered that taking omega-3 supplements and getting enough vitamin D has made a huge difference. I also learned that my skin appreciates a few natural ingredients. That’s how I came up with a natural face cream that works well for oily, acne-prone skin, though it took a few attempts to perfect.
When your skin is oily but can also be dry, irritated, or sensitive, it’s easy to reach for chemical treatments. Luckily, there are natural ingredients that can help. Sea buckthorn oil is the standout ingredient in this soothing face cream, offering a lot of benefits for aging or irritated skin, and even my oily skin loves it.
There are two kinds of sea buckthorn oil: one comes from the fruit, and one from the seed. They have similar effects, but their compositions differ. Some brands mix the fruit and seed oils together, so it’s good to check the product details to know which type you’re getting.
The oil from the fruit is rich in palmitoleic and palmitic acids. Palmitoleic acid, an omega-7, is naturally made by our oil glands and makes up 20% of our skin’s sebum. It’s in all tissues, helping with healing and protecting against infections. As we age, our levels of this essential omega acid decrease, so using it on the skin helps.
Sea buckthorn fruit oil also has about 30% palmitic acid, which forms 22% of our sebum, creating a protective barrier on the skin.
The seed oil is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that’s key for maintaining the skin’s barrier and allowing nutrients in while keeping harmful stuff out. It also contains high levels of alpha-linoleic acid, an omega-3 that transforms into powerful anti-inflammatories, EPA and DHA.
Overall, sea buckthorn oil is packed with essential fatty acids, phytosterols, antioxidants, and trace elements like copper, iron, and selenium. It boosts skin circulation, reduces inflammation, and soothes irritated skin. It also helps regenerate skin, keeps it flexible, and slows down aging signs. Sea buckthorn is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that gives the oil its deep orange color, which is why the cream looks like it contains turmeric!
The recipe uses grapeseed oil as a base because it’s light and counterbalances the thicker feel of beeswax and sea buckthorn oil. Kokum butter, a very hard, flaky butter, thickens the cream without the waxy feel too much beeswax can give. Geranium and lavender essential oils are included for their soothing and skin-regenerating benefits. Geranium also helps prevent and reduce wrinkles.
Choosing the right natural beauty products for your skin can be tricky, but there’s a guide to help you find the best skincare routine for you.
Do you have oily skin? Have you ever tried sea buckthorn oil? Share your thoughts!
