There is a small, thorny shrub that grows wild along Iceland's coastline, producing berries so orange they seem to glow from within. That is sea buckthorn, and once you understand what it takes for this plant to survive here, you will understand why we built one of our most-loved formulas around it.

What Is Sea Buckthorn?

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy shrub that produces small, intensely orange berries. It holds a long place in Icelandic and Scandinavian tradition, where it was valued as a household staple for skin and general wellbeing through the cold, dry winters. Icelanders have trusted this plant for generations, long before it had a name in modern skincare.

Why Arctic-Grown Makes All the Difference

Plants are survivors. When something grows in a harsh environment, extreme cold, near-endless summer daylight, mineral-rich volcanic soil, it tends to produce higher concentrations of protective compounds just to get by. Sea buckthorn grown in Iceland is a good example. Compared with sea buckthorn grown in milder climates, ours develops a notably richer profile, including:

• Vitamin C levels around 12 times higher than oranges, among the highest concentrations found in any plant.
• Omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid), rare in the plant kingdom and closely related to the lipids naturally found in skin.
• Beta-carotene and carotenoids, the pigments responsible for the oil's vivid orange colour.
• Vitamin E (tocopherols), a natural antioxidant.

In the plant world, stress creates potency.

That is the quiet logic behind so many of Iceland's native botanicals, and sea buckthorn wears it especially well. The more the plant has to endure, the more it seems to give back.

Upcycled and Sustainable

At ANGAN, we use upcycled sea buckthorn oil. This means we source oil that is extracted as a by-product of berry processing, rather than harvesting the plant solely for its oil. It is a small choice with a real effect: less waste, and a more circular relationship with the Icelandic ingredients we depend on. It is one of the ways we try to honour the land we source from, not just take from it.

What It Does for Your Skin

In a formula, sea buckthorn oil brings a great deal to the table. Its vitamin C and carotenoid content help support the look of a brighter, more even tone, while omega-7 fatty acids feel deeply nourishing on skin that is dry or windburned. Alongside vitamin E, it helps skin feel replenished, comforted, and visibly cared for, which is exactly why it works so well for sensitive, reactive, or weather-worn skin. Iceland's climate calls for this kind of support, and depending on where you live, yours might too.

How Sea Buckthorn Compares to Other Arctic Berry Oils

A Note on Colour

Pure sea buckthorn oil is intensely orange and will temporarily tint the skin if used on its own. That is by design, not a flaw, but it is not always practical for a daily routine. In our Arctic Youth Face Oil, sea buckthorn is blended with nine other plant oils, including jojoba and avocado, alongside our Icelandic Botanical Complex, so you get the feel of the berry without the colour. Sea buckthorn also appears in our Wildflower Oil Cleanser, where it works alongside castor oil to lift away makeup and daily buildup while leaving skin feeling soft rather than stripped.

The Research

Sea buckthorn's antioxidant profile has been studied specifically for its effect on skin cells under UV stress, with researchers pointing to its rare balance of omega fatty acids and carotenoids as the likely reason (study, sea buckthorn seed oil and human skin cells).

Continue Reading

• Astaxanthin: Beauty Secret From Iceland
• Icelandic Wildcrafted Wonders
• The Power of Arctic Berries