How to Use a Sea Buckthorn Serum: The 30-Day Glow Protocol

A face oil only works if you use it correctly. Most people apply too much, too late in their routine, on skin that's too dry — and then quietly give up. Here's the 30-day protocol we developed with our formulator.

Week 1: Acclimation

Three drops, evening only, on slightly damp skin after toner. Damp skin holds the omega-7 in place and lets it integrate into the lipid bilayer instead of pooling. Avoid retinoids on the same nights for the first seven days.

Week 2–3: Build to twice daily

Add a morning application — three drops, before SPF. Press, don't rub. Wait 90 seconds before sunscreen. Combine with retinol on alternate evenings; the carotenoid buffer reduces irritation and dryness.

Week 4: Lock-in

By day 30, transepidermal water loss markers typically drop 20–30%. Skin looks lit-from-within, not shiny. If you've been tracking before-photos in the same lighting (we recommend morning daylight, no makeup, no filter), the change is unmistakable.

Layering order

Cleanser → toner/essence → water-based actives (vitamin C, niacinamide) → Radiance Face Serum → moisturizer → SPF (AM only). Oils go after water-based products, never before.