Natural plant oils have been used for generations in cooking, traditional food cultures, skincare, haircare and everyday beauty routines. Today, cold-pressed oils are enjoying renewed interest as more people look for minimally processed foods, simple botanical ingredients and versatile natural products.

But with so many different oils available, which one should you choose?

Is sea buckthorn oil better suited to skincare or food? What makes pine nut oil different from ordinary nut oils? How can you use milk thistle oil? Why is rosehip seed oil so popular in natural skincare? And what makes amaranth oil particularly interesting among lesser-known plant oils?

In this complete cold-pressed oils guide, we compare five distinctive natural oils:

• Sea Buckthorn Oil
• Pine Nut Oil
• Milk Thistle Oil
• Rosehip Seed Oil
• Amaranth Oil

For each oil, we'll explore its taste, traditional uses, culinary uses, skincare applications, haircare uses and who might enjoy it most.

Whether you're searching for the best cold-pressed oil for cooking, a natural oil for dry skin, a botanical facial oil, a natural hair oil, or simply want to discover new plant-based ingredients, this guide will help you understand the differences.

However, cold-pressed does not automatically mean that one oil is better than every refined oil.

Different oils have different compositions, flavours and suitable uses.

The best choice depends on what you want from your oil.

Let's look at each oil in more detail.

An important detail is often overlooked when people search for the best sea buckthorn oil:

Not all sea buckthorn oils are the same.

Oil can be produced from the:

• seeds
• fruit pulp
• whole berries

Sea buckthorn seed oil and sea buckthorn fruit or pulp oil have different fatty-acid profiles.

The fruit or pulp fraction is particularly associated with palmitoleic acid, also known as omega-7, whilst seed oil tends to contain greater proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Siberian Green Sea Buckthorn Oil is made from wild-harvested whole sea buckthorn berries, rather than simply being a seed-only oil.

Cold-pressed sea buckthorn oil has a distinctive flavour that may be described as:

fruity + tart + earthy + slightly bitter

It isn't a neutral vegetable oil.

Instead, its distinctive flavour makes it particularly suited to recipes where a small amount of oil can contribute additional botanical character.

Sea buckthorn berries have a long history as a traditional food ingredient.

They have been used in:

• berry drinks
• juices
• syrups
• preserves
• teas
• sauces
• traditional preparations

Sea buckthorn oil has also become increasingly popular as an ingredient in natural skincare and cosmetic formulations.

If your sea buckthorn oil is specifically labelled as food-grade and suitable for consumption, it can be incorporated into cold foods or added after cooking.

Try a small amount in:

• smoothies
• natural yoghurt
• porridge
• smoothie bowls
• salad dressings
• berry sauces
• dips
• finished vegetables

Because the flavour and colour can be quite intense, you don't need much.

Rather than treating it as an everyday frying oil, think of sea buckthorn oil as a distinctive finishing oil.

Sea buckthorn oil for skin has become a popular subject within natural skincare.

Its naturally occurring fatty acids and botanical compounds make it an interesting ingredient for formulations designed to leave dry-feeling skin feeling softer and more conditioned.

A small amount can be blended with:

• facial moisturiser
• body lotion
• hand cream
• body oil
• another carrier oil

Sea buckthorn berry oil can have an intense natural colour, so begin with a very small amount.

Strongly coloured oils may temporarily tint very pale skin, clothing or bedding.

Sea buckthorn oil is also used in natural haircare, particularly in richer botanical oil blends.

It can be incorporated into:

• pre-shampoo treatments
• dry-end treatments
• scalp oil blends
• homemade hair masks

Because of its natural orange colour, take particular care when using concentrated sea buckthorn oil on very light, blonde or bleached hair.

Sea buckthorn oil may appeal to you if you:

• enjoy unusual botanical ingredients
• prefer berry-based natural products
• want a distinctive cold-pressed oil
• enjoy richer natural skincare
• are interested in naturally occurring omega-7
• appreciate traditional northern and Siberian ingredients

Best described as: the bold botanical oil.

If sea buckthorn oil is distinctive and intense, pine nut oil is considerably milder.

Also sometimes referred to as cedar nut oil in Siberian and Eastern European traditions, pine nut oil is pressed from edible pine kernels.

Siberian pine nuts have traditionally been gathered as a forest food, and cold pressing produces a smooth golden oil with a delicate nutty character.

Cold-pressed pine nut oil typically tastes:

mild + buttery + nutty + slightly sweet

This makes it one of the easiest speciality oils to introduce into everyday meals.

High-quality cold-pressed pine nut oil retains the natural flavour of the kernels without tasting overwhelmingly strong.

Pine nuts have been gathered and eaten across northern Eurasia for generations.

In Siberia, the nuts commonly called cedar nuts have traditionally been valued as an important forest food.

Their oil has been consumed as a food and has also found a place in traditional household beauty routines.

Pine nut oil is particularly versatile in the kitchen.

Use food-grade cold-pressed pine nut oil with:

• salads
• roasted vegetables
• potatoes
• pasta
• buckwheat
• quinoa
• rice
• soups
• hummus
• vegetable dips
• pesto-style sauces
• bread

Try drizzling it over cooked vegetables or grains just before serving.

Its subtle nutty flavour works particularly well when you want something more distinctive than an ordinary neutral cooking oil without overpowering the dish.

Combine:

2 tablespoons pine nut oil + 1 tablespoon lemon juice + a little mustard + sea salt + black pepper

Use it with salads, vegetables or grain bowls.

Pine nut oil can also be used as a botanical body oil.

Like other plant oils, it contains natural lipids that can help skin feel softer, smoother and more comfortable.

Try applying a few drops to slightly damp skin after bathing or mixing a small amount into your usual body moisturiser.

Pine nut oil can be particularly convenient as a pre-shampoo hair oil.

Apply a small amount to:

• dry ends
• hair lengths
• dry-feeling areas of the scalp, if appropriate for your skin type

Leave it on before shampooing, then wash as normal.

Pine nut oil may be a particularly good choice if you:

• are trying cold-pressed oils for the first time
• want an edible speciality oil
• enjoy mild nutty flavours
• want a versatile finishing oil
• prefer subtle flavours to strongly herbal oils
• are interested in traditional Siberian foods

Best described as: the versatile all-rounder.

Milk thistle oil is pressed from the seeds of Silybum marianum, the distinctive plant recognised by its purple flowers and spiny leaves.

Many people know milk thistle primarily as a traditional herbal ingredient, but cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil is a separate product with its own culinary and cosmetic uses.

The oil naturally contains fatty acids, with linoleic acid typically representing a substantial proportion, alongside tocopherols, phytosterols and other naturally occurring plant compounds.

The flavour of milk thistle seed oil is generally more herbal than pine nut oil.

It can be described as:

mild + herbal + earthy + slightly nutty

It may particularly appeal to people who already enjoy distinctive seed oils such as flaxseed or pumpkin seed oil.

Milk thistle has been part of European herbal traditions for centuries.

Different parts of the plant have historically been incorporated into food and traditional botanical preparations.

Today, cold-pressed seed oil provides another way to explore this traditional plant without making the oil itself synonymous with herbal supplements.

Food-grade milk thistle oil works particularly well in cold dishes or as a finishing oil.

Try it in:

• salad dressings
• vegetable dips
• hummus
• grain bowls
• cooked potatoes
• steamed vegetables
• cottage cheese
• savoury yoghurt sauces
• bread dips

Its herbal character works particularly well alongside lemon, mustard, garlic, vegetables and fresh herbs.

Milk thistle seed oil can also be incorporated into a simple natural skincare routine.

Plant oils can help reduce the sensation of dryness by supplementing surface lipids, making milk thistle oil an interesting choice for people who enjoy minimalist botanical skincare.

Try adding a small amount to body moisturiser or applying a few drops to slightly damp skin.

Milk thistle oil can be incorporated into:

• pre-shampoo treatments
• hair oil blends
• scalp oil blends
• dry-end treatments
• homemade hair masks

If you have fine hair, start with just a few drops.

Milk thistle oil may appeal to you if you:

• enjoy traditional herbal ingredients
• prefer seed oils
• like earthy and slightly herbal flavours
• want an alternative to mainstream culinary oils
• enjoy multipurpose botanical products

Best described as: the traditional herbal choice.

Of the five oils in this guide, rosehip seed oil is perhaps the most familiar to natural skincare enthusiasts.

Rosehip oil is produced from rose fruits and seeds, often from species such as Rosa canina.

Cold-pressed rosehip seed oil naturally contains a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, together with smaller amounts of other plant compounds.

This lipid profile has helped make rosehip oil for skin particularly popular in:

• facial oils
• moisturisers
• serums
• body oils
• natural skincare formulations

Food-grade rosehip seed oil can have a subtle flavour described as:

mild + earthy + slightly fruity + seed-like

However, there is an important distinction.

Not every rosehip oil sold as a cosmetic product is intended for consumption.

If you plan to use rosehip oil in food, always select a product specifically labelled as edible or food-grade.

Rosehips themselves have a long history in European food traditions.

They have been used to make:

• rosehip tea
• syrups
• jams
• jellies
• soups
• preserves
• fruit powders

Rosehip seed oil, meanwhile, has become particularly well known through modern natural skincare.

If your rosehip seed oil is specifically produced and labelled for culinary use, try adding a small amount to:

• yoghurt
• smoothies
• porridge
• berry bowls
• salad dressings
• cold sauces

Its delicate flavour is best appreciated without intensive heating.

This is where rosehip seed oil has developed its strongest reputation.

Searches for rosehip oil for face, rosehip seed oil for skin, natural facial oil and rosehip oil skincare remain popular because the oil fits easily into simple beauty routines.

People commonly use rosehip oil to help skin feel:

• softer
• smoother
• conditioned
• comfortable after cleansing
• less dry

Try applying two or three drops to slightly damp skin or mixing one drop into your normal facial moisturiser.

With facial oils, using more doesn't necessarily produce better results.

Rosehip seed oil can also be applied sparingly to:

• dry ends
• flyaways
• dry-feeling hair lengths
• pre-shampoo treatments

Its relatively lightweight feel may suit people who find heavier oils difficult to use.

Rosehip seed oil may appeal to you if you:

• prioritise natural skincare
• want a botanical facial oil
• prefer lighter-feeling oils
• enjoy minimalist beauty routines
• want an oil primarily for cosmetic use

Best described as: the skincare favourite.

Amaranth oil is one of the lesser-known oils in this comparison.

Amaranth is technically a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal grain. It has been cultivated as a food crop for thousands of years, particularly in the Americas.

Its tiny seeds contain a valuable natural oil fraction.

One characteristic that makes cold-pressed amaranth oil particularly interesting is its naturally occurring squalene.

Amaranth oil can contain significant levels of squalene, although the exact concentration varies according to plant variety, growing conditions and processing.

Squalene is a naturally occurring lipid that is also found in human sebum and is widely used within cosmetic science.

Cold-pressed amaranth oil typically has a:

nutty + earthy + slightly grain-like flavour

It is more distinctive than a neutral vegetable oil, but usually lacks the fruity intensity associated with sea buckthorn.

Amaranth has an extraordinary culinary history.

It was an important crop in ancient Mesoamerican cultures and remains valued today for its edible seeds and leaves.

Modern interest in amaranth has grown alongside demand for ancient grains, gluten-free ingredients and alternative plant foods.

Cold-pressed amaranth oil provides another way to use this traditional plant.

Food-grade amaranth oil is particularly suited to use as a finishing oil.

Try it with:

• cooked amaranth
• quinoa
• buckwheat
• rice
• grain bowls
• salads
• roasted vegetables
• soups
• hummus
• vegetable purées

Its earthy, nutty flavour pairs naturally with grains, seeds and roasted vegetables.

Because amaranth oil contains naturally occurring squalene and other plant lipids, it has attracted interest as an ingredient in botanical skincare.

It can be incorporated into routines designed for skin that feels dry or tight.

Try using it as:

• a body oil
• part of a facial oil blend
• a few drops mixed into moisturiser
• hand and cuticle oil

Patch testing a new facial oil before regular use is always sensible.

Amaranth oil can also be used as part of a richer natural haircare routine.

A small amount can be applied to:

• dry ends
• dry-feeling lengths
• pre-shampoo treatments
• botanical scalp oil blends

Use sparingly if your hair is fine or easily weighed down.

Consider amaranth oil if you:

• enjoy discovering unusual botanical oils
• are interested in naturally occurring plant squalene
• like earthy, nutty flavours
• enjoy ancient grains and traditional plant foods
• want a lesser-known multipurpose oil

Best described as: the botanical explorer's choice.

These two Siberian-inspired oils have very different personalities.

• a distinctive berry-derived oil
• a bold natural colour
• an oil particularly popular in botanical skincare
• an unusual finishing oil
• a natural source of omega-7, depending on the berry fraction used

• a mild nutty flavour
• an easy everyday finishing oil
• greater culinary versatility
• a speciality oil that works naturally with many foods

For someone trying Siberian cold-pressed oils for the first time, pine nut oil may be the easiest place to begin.

For someone seeking a more unusual botanical ingredient, sea buckthorn oil offers a completely different experience.

Both oils are widely associated with natural skincare, but they feel and look very different.

Rosehip seed oil is generally lighter and particularly popular as a facial oil.

Sea buckthorn oil can be much stronger in colour, particularly when oil from the berry pulp or whole fruit is involved.

Rather than necessarily choosing one or the other, some people incorporate them differently into their routines.

Rosehip oil can be used as a straightforward facial oil, whilst strongly coloured sea buckthorn oil may be blended into another carrier oil or moisturiser.

The most noticeable difference between these two oils is flavour.

Pine nut oil is mild, buttery and nutty.

Milk thistle oil tends to be more herbal and seed-like.

For drizzling over potatoes, vegetables or bread, pine nut oil offers a familiar gourmet flavour.

If you already enjoy herbal seed oils and want something more distinctive, milk thistle oil may be more appealing.

If facial skincare is your main priority, rosehip seed oil is the more familiar beauty staple.

Amaranth oil offers something different: its natural oil fraction contains squalene, a lipid that has become increasingly familiar in modern skincare.

Those beginning a natural facial oil routine may gravitate towards rosehip, whilst botanical oil enthusiasts may enjoy exploring amaranth.

There is no single best cold-pressed oil for cooking because each oil offers a different flavour.

Try it with salads, potatoes, grains, vegetables and bread.

Use small amounts in smoothies, yoghurt, dressings and berry dishes.

Try it with salads, dips, vegetables and savoury grain bowls.

Pair it with grains, roasted vegetables, soups and salads.

Rosehip is particularly well known for skincare. For culinary use, always choose a product specifically labelled as food-grade.

The best natural oil for skin depends on your skin type, preferred texture and how you plan to use it.

For a lighter facial oil, consider rosehip seed oil.

For a rich and colourful botanical oil, sea buckthorn may appeal.

For a mild multipurpose plant oil, consider pine nut oil.

For those who enjoy traditional herbal seed oils, milk thistle offers another option.

And if you're particularly interested in plant-derived squalene, amaranth oil stands out.

Natural does not automatically mean suitable for every skin type, so patch test any unfamiliar oil before applying it extensively.

Cold-pressed botanical oils are commonly used to condition dry-feeling hair and create a smoother, shinier appearance.

A versatile option for dry ends, hair lengths and pre-shampoo treatments.

A useful option when you prefer a lighter texture.

Can be incorporated into richer hair masks and oil blends. Take care with very light or bleached hair because of the oil's natural colour.

Can be used in botanical scalp oils and pre-shampoo treatments.

Worth exploring for dry-feeling lengths, ends and richer hair oil blends.

Whatever oil you choose, begin with a small amount.

A few drops may be all you need.

Using botanical oils doesn't require an elaborate wellness routine.

The simplest uses are often the most practical.

Add an appropriate food-grade oil to:

• porridge
• yoghurt
• smoothies
• breakfast bowls

Use it in:

• homemade salad dressing
• hummus
• grain bowls
• vegetables

Drizzle a flavourful cold-pressed oil over a finished dish rather than automatically treating every speciality oil as a high-temperature frying oil.

Massage a small amount of an oil suitable for topical use into slightly damp skin.

Apply a few drops to dry ends or incorporate the oil into a pre-shampoo treatment.

Not every bottle labelled natural oil is the same.

When buying a cold-pressed oil, consider the following.

The label should clearly identify the plant from which the oil was produced.

This is particularly relevant to sea buckthorn.

Sea buckthorn seed oil, fruit oil and whole-berry oil are not necessarily identical.

Depending on the product, look for descriptions such as:

• cold-pressed
• first cold-pressed
• mechanically pressed
• unrefined

Never assume that a cosmetic oil is edible.

If you want to consume the oil, choose a product specifically manufactured and labelled for food use.

A pure single-ingredient botanical oil should have a simple ingredient list.

Light, oxygen and heat can gradually affect natural oils, so appropriate packaging and storage are important.

To help maintain their natural flavour, aroma and quality:

• keep bottles tightly closed
• store away from direct sunlight
• avoid excessive heat
• use clean utensils
• follow the manufacturer's storage instructions
• refrigerate after opening when recommended on the label

Some minimally processed oils may naturally vary slightly in colour, aroma or appearance from batch to batch.

Sometimes, but not automatically.

A pure food-grade cold-pressed oil may sometimes be suitable for several purposes, depending on the particular product and manufacturer's directions.

A cosmetic oil, however, should not be eaten unless it is specifically produced and labelled as suitable for consumption.

Always check the individual product.

You don't need to buy every botanical oil at once.

Start with the one that best matches how you intend to use it.

If cooking is your priority: start with Pine Nut Oil.

If natural facial skincare is your priority: explore Rosehip Seed Oil.

If you love traditional berry ingredients: try Sea Buckthorn Oil.

If you're interested in traditional herbal plants: consider Milk Thistle Oil.

If you enjoy discovering unusual plant oils and are interested in naturally occurring squalene: explore Amaranth Oil.

Over time, you may find that different oils naturally find different places in your kitchen, skincare routine and haircare.

And that is one of the most interesting things about cold-pressed oils:

they aren't interchangeable.

Each one has its own botanical character, flavour, texture and traditional story.

The world of natural cold-pressed oils extends far beyond ordinary vegetable oil.

Different berries, seeds and nuts produce oils with completely different flavours, colours, textures and naturally occurring plant compounds.

Sea Buckthorn Oil is bold, colourful and closely connected with northern berry traditions.

Pine Nut Oil is smooth, nutty and particularly easy to incorporate into everyday food.

Milk Thistle Oil brings the character of a traditional herbal seed to culinary and personal-care routines.

Rosehip Seed Oil is a well-known natural skincare favourite with a relatively lightweight feel.

Amaranth Oil is an unusual botanical oil notable for its naturally occurring squalene.

So instead of asking:

"Which natural oil is the best?"

It may be more useful to ask:

"Which cold-pressed oil is right for the way I want to use it?"

Whether you're exploring cold-pressed oils for cooking, natural oils for skin, botanical facial oils, natural hair oils or traditional plant ingredients, each oil offers something different.

Explore cold-pressed botanical oils, traditional Siberian ingredients, natural plant products and speciality oils from Siberian Green.

Discover oils made from distinctive nuts, seeds, berries and traditional plants, and find the natural oil that fits naturally into your everyday routine.