In ancient Greece, sea buckthorn was fed to horses to keep their coats healthy and shiny. This fun fact may explain its Latin name. “Hippophae” originates from the Greek words “hippo,” which means “horse” and “phaos”, which translates in “to shine.”  Native to Europe and Asia, these vibrant orange berries have been used as an herbal cure-all by many cultures. Tibetans even declared them as the “holy fruit of the Himalayas.” With its exceptional nutritional profile of over 190 bioactive compounds, it’s no surprise that its reputation is legendary. To this day, the majority of Sea Buckthorn can be found growing in China where the versatile berries are processed and used around the world for skincare products, traditional medicine, and even its culinary goodness.

With sea buckthorn berries being known as the single highest vegetal source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and unsaturated fatty acids, you can imagine the incredible effects it has on your skin. Specifically, the extremely rare Omega 7 provides powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties and effectively supports collagen production to ensure healthy, glowing skin. The deep, rich orange color comes from skin nourishing beta-carotene, which is a well-known and appreciated antioxidant powerhouse that protects the skin by neutralizing free radicals and simultaneously slowing down the aging process.

Tissue regeneration is a critical concern for those recovering from severe burns, deep wounds, extreme acne, inflammatory skin conditions, as well as the effects of cancer and chemotherapy. Scientific research shows that sea buckthorn berry has the chemical makeup necessary to help skin heal from trauma and injury. Body tissues, whether the skin on the outside or the tissues that make up the less visible parts of the body, are made up of dozens of building blocks. If some of those crucial building blocks are missing, tissue either does not heal, or heals slowly and ineffectively. Sea buckthorn contains a host of these vital foundation builders to support healthy skin, including vitamins C, A, several B vitamins, E, K, P, F, as well as omega-7, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and sodium. It’s one of my absolute favorite ingredients of all time.

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