There are some colours that are hard to miss when you walk along a Scottish coastline or hedgerow in autumn. Bright orange sea buckthorn clinging to the dunes, scarlet rowan hanging over the path, and deep purple elderberries ripening just as the weather starts to turn.
For generations, people here have gathered these berries, cooked with them, told stories about them and turned to them when they needed a little help. Today, those same berries are finding their way into some of the most talked about skincare of the year.
So let us take a slow walk through Scotland's superberries together. We will look at where they come from, what makes them so special, and what the research really says about sea buckthorn oil for skin.
Why have berries always been so precious?
If you have ever wondered why berries are so full of colour, the answer is rather clever. A berry has one job, which is to protect the seeds inside it from sun, wind and cold.
To do that, it fills itself with natural oils, rich pigments and antioxidants. Those very same compounds are what make berry oils for skin so nourishing, softening and comforting.
When Duncan Napier opened his herbal shop in Edinburgh in 1860, he worked with the plants growing on his own doorstep. More than 160 years later, we still feel the same way about these hardy Scottish berries.
What is the story behind sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is the thorny shrub with silvery leaves and bright orange berries that you will often spot on the dunes of Scotland's east coast. It is a true survivor, and it has grown on Scottish sands since the end of the last Ice Age2.
Wild populations still hold on in the south east of Scotland today, and the plant has spread further along the coast over the last century2.
So, is sea buckthorn oil good for your skin?
Here is where the story gets interesting. A single sea buckthorn berry gives us two quite different oils, one from the fruit and one from the seed.
The oil pressed from the pulp and peel is a deep, glowing orange. It is unusually rich in palmitoleic acid, an omega 7 fatty acid, which can make up as much as 43% of the oil1.
The seed oil is paler and tells a different story. It is rich in omega 3 and omega 6, in a rare balance of roughly one to one1.
Why does that matter for your skin? Linoleic acid, an omega 6, is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in human skin, and it plays a part in keeping the skin's protective barrier working well1.
We always like to be honest about the science, though. The authors of one major review point out that most studies so far have looked at single fatty acids rather than the whole oil1. So we see sea buckthorn as a deeply nourishing traditional oil with good science behind its building blocks, rather than a miracle cure.
Which other Scottish berries deserve a place in the story?
Sea buckthorn may be the star of the moment, but it has never been on its own in the hedgerow. Three of its neighbours have just as much history behind them.
Rowan, the tree by the door
For centuries, families across Scotland planted a rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) by the front door. It was believed to protect the home, and you will still see them standing by old cottages and farmhouses today.
We have shared more of that folklore in our post on the rowan tree and its place in Scottish heritage. What the old stories did not know is that its scarlet berries are also a natural source of vitamin C.
A 2023 study of rowanberry varieties found significant antioxidant activity, mostly from polyphenols, alongside good levels of vitamin C3. Vitamin C works especially well with vitamin E, and we explain why in our guide to why vitamin E and vitamin C make such a good pairing.
Elder, the hedgerow medicine chest
Elder (Sambucus nigra) has been part of British herbal tradition for as long as anyone can remember. Its creamy flowers come in early summer, and its dark berries follow in the autumn.
In skincare, elderberry brings natural antioxidants to a formula. It tends to work best alongside richer oils that do most of the moisturising.
Raspberry, the gift from the jam pan
Scotland has a long love affair with raspberries, especially in Perthshire and Angus, where berry picking was once a summer job for whole families. Once the fruit has been pressed for jam and juice, thousands of tiny seeds are left behind.
When pressed gently, those little seeds give a light, silky oil that sinks into the skin without feeling greasy. And that brings us to one of the biggest ingredient stories of the year.
What are upcycled berry oils, and why does everyone suddenly care?
Upcycled berry oils are oils pressed from seeds that would otherwise be thrown away after making jam or juice. Formula Botanica, the organic formulation school, has named upcycled ingredients as one of its top cosmetic ingredient predictions for 20264.
It gives berry oils as a leading example, describing them as being made from seeds left over by the jam and juice industry and given a second life in skincare4.
To a herbalist, this feels less like a new trend and more like common sense finally coming back into fashion. Using the whole plant and wasting as little as possible has always been part of good herbal practice.
How can you bring Scotland's berries into your own routine?
The good news is that you do not need a long or complicated routine. Choose one or two products that suit your skin, and give them time to work.
When skin feels dry, itchy or uneven
Our Amazing Vanishing Cream is where all of these berries come together. It blends organic sea buckthorn, elderberry and raspberry oils into a light, creamy finish that is 100% organic and vegan.
It is the kind of cream you keep within easy reach, for the face, neck, hands or body. Smooth a little over any area that feels dry, itchy or in need of comfort.
When you want a brighter looking complexion
Our rowan range was inspired by that tree by the cottage door. The Rowan Brightening Gel Cleanser combines rowan berry extract with heather, sea buckthorn and witch hazel, and it is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Follow it with the Rowan Moisture Formula, which pairs rowan berries with macadamia oil, shea butter and Scottish seaweed. You can also find both together in the Rowan Brightening and Nourishing Duo.
If your skin is easily upset, our natural skincare routine for sensitive skin is a helpful place to begin.
When you want to unwind at the end of the day
Sometimes the nicest way to enjoy these berries is in a long, warm bath. Our Sea Buckthorn Pink Bath Salts combine Himalayan pink salt with sea buckthorn seed oil, sweet orange and cedarwood.
Add a handful to a warm bath on a cold autumn evening. It is a lovely way to ease tired muscles and leave your skin feeling soft.
A gentle word before you begin
Most people get on very well with berry oils, but every skin has its own story. Always patch test something new on a small area first.
If you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or you are simply not sure where to start, you can book a free consultation with one of our herbalists, or speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is sea buckthorn oil good for your skin?
Sea buckthorn oil is rich in fatty acids that may help support skin comfort and the skin's natural barrier1. Most research so far has looked at individual fatty acids, so it is best seen as a nourishing traditional oil rather than a cure.
What is the difference between sea buckthorn seed oil and fruit oil?
Fruit oil comes from the pulp and peel, has a deep orange colour and is rich in omega 71. Seed oil is paler and richer in omega 3 and omega 6.
What are berry oils good for in skincare?
Berry oils are mainly used to nourish and soften dry skin. Many also bring natural antioxidants, and lighter oils such as raspberry seed oil absorb easily.
What are upcycled berry oils?
They are oils pressed from berry seeds left over after making jam or juice. Formula Botanica names upcycled ingredients as one of its top cosmetic ingredient trends for 20264.
What is rowan berry good for in skincare?
Rowan berries are a natural source of vitamin C and show significant antioxidant activity in lab studies3. In skincare they are used to help skin look brighter and more refreshed.
Can I use berry oils on sensitive skin?
Many people with sensitive skin use berry oils happily, but it is always wise to patch test first. If you have a skin condition, speak to your GP or a qualified herbalist before trying something new.
Which Napiers product has the most berry oils?
Our Amazing Vanishing Cream contains three berry oils: organic sea buckthorn, elderberry and raspberry. It can be used on the face, neck, hands or body.
References
- Solà Marsiñach, M. and Pellejero Cuenca, A. (2019). The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health. Lipids in Health and Disease. Available at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov .
- Botanical Society of Scotland. Plant of the week: Hippophae rhamnoides, sea buckthorn. Available at: botsoc.scot .
- Orsavová, J. et al. (2023). Total phenolic and total flavonoid content, individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in sweet rowanberry cultivars. Antioxidants. Available at: mdpi.com .
- Triebswetter, A. (2026). Top 7 cosmetic ingredients predictions for 2026. Formula Botanica. Available at: formulabotanica.com .
