Sea buckthorn cream and serum

Why this oil and not another

Omega 7 — palmitoleic acid — is a natural component of human sebum. That is the specific, mechanical reason sea buckthorn pulp oil sits well on skin where most plant oils do not, and it is why skin is the best-supported use of this berry rather than simply the most marketed one.

Alongside it, the oil carries vitamin E and the carotenoids that give it its colour.

What is used for what

Serums and night creams are the concentrated end — they stay on the skin and are where the oil content is highest. Cleansers, face washes and toners are everyday steps that happen to carry the oil but rinse off. Body lotions and massage creams cover more area at a lower concentration.

If you are buying one thing, buy something that stays on.

What to expect

Skin turnover takes weeks, so judge any of these over a month or two rather than a fortnight. Traditional and current use is dryness, barrier support and the appearance of ageing skin — not a treatment for a skin condition.