Sea buckthorn is the magical component in our Aphrodite Face Oil. It’s our genie in a bottle, our anti-aging fairy godmother, the answer to all our skin grieving prayers! You get the idea. This flowering plant is loaded with over 190 bioactive nutrients including four different vegan Omega fatty acids - 3, 6, 7, & 9 - essential for collagen production, as well as Vitamins A, C, E - powerful antioxidants that help remove free radicals (UV rays and air pollution) and combat breakouts, acne scars and fine lines.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), also called sea berry, is a hardy deciduous shrub that grows bright yellow and orange berries and shows off their dense nutritious properties with a mighty sour bite and sharp thorns. Hippophae originates from the Greek word Hippo meaning “horse” and faos meaning “light” or “shine”.

These vibrant berries can be found between mountain slopes, high-altitude meadows, riverbanks and sea shores. They are native to Northern Europe and Asia and grow best with plenty of sun and dry soil. The majority of these gifted fruits grow in what is known to some as the “the roof of the world” or the Tibetan Plateau bounded by mountain ranges and where lakes, rivers, grasslands and fertile plains are plentiful.

Historians claim that the first documented benefits of sea buckthorn were recorded in an 8th century CE Tibetan medical text. Alexander the Great, King of the Ancient Greek kingdom Macedon, would use the leaves and berries as feed for his military’s horses, making for strong gallant steeds with shinier coats. With envy in their eyes & vacant bellies the exhausted warriors took a chance on the precious fruits and ate them. And like the gates opening up (to whatever higher and holy universe you see fit) their strength had been restored to continue on their lengthy expeditions.

Sea berries were used in Chinese medicine for their anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, and cell restoration properties. Using the oil and fruit juice to treat digestive issues, fevers, colds, wounds, and burns. Sea berries are packed with flavonoids, polyphenols, minerals, and amino acids. These practices are still being put to the test today. You can find sea buckthorn incorporated into nutrient dense teas, supplements, & tinctures to assist with heart, brain, and joint health. Be sure to do your research, for there is a lot of “pure sea buckthorn” products out there than what can actually be produced. Look for brands and farmers that are willing to be transparent about their processes and sourcing. Please consult a doctor before incorporating sea buckthorn into your current health regimen.

Sea buckthorn oil is your one stop shop for all of your restorative and preventative health needs. But we couldn’t stop there. We wanted as many clean beneficial ingredients to work in tandem as one simple multi-purpose product. Our Aphrodite Face Oil is a nutrient rich botanical oil with sea buckthorn, jojoba, rosehip, camellia oil and chia seed CO2 extract for a powerful punch of fatty acids, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. This sacred oil of ours has many devoted followers, and for good reason. We’ve had an abundance of grateful words and intimate stories of our customer’s skin journey shared with us. Every kind of individual has incorporated Aphrodite in their routine for soothing flare-ups caused by inflammation, auto-immune diseases, and allergies. Those with maturing skin say they’ve noticed a difference in the elasticity and overall tone. Swap out that bed side holy water for the real stuff, because it’s truly changing people’s skin and we couldn’t be happier to make it for you.

My first go with Aphrodite was actually a bit of a doozy. I was in a real crisis mode, sever cystic acne with combination skin and totally unsure of what could be causing it. I did that thing where you just panic buy and try everything under the sun, hoping that you catch the slightest glimpse of change. I didn’t. I started focusing on the clean minimal ingredient products I had, a low FODMAP diet, and the changes in my local environment. Having combination skin for me means that every day my skin feels a little different and everyday I should respond to it differently. Meaning no heavy oil moisturizing or cleansing during our super humid Michigan days and learning more about what ingredients you should and shouldn’t layer. During dry months, Aphrodite is my reliable homie. I incorporate two or three drops into a night mask or moisturizer, leaving me with bright and revived skin in the morning. It’s also the perfect addition to my scalp cleansing masks to help soothe my scalp acne during the summer and prevent my predictable winter time dandruff. I know how hopeful we can feel reading about a new and exciting product, but remember everyone’s skin is different and everyday our environments change. It’s important that we continue to be pliable and tune into the nuances of our bodies and environments to feed ourselves what we need, not simply what’s available.

Be kind to yourself today + everyday,

LL

Sea buckthorn: the real liquid gold