Interest in cold-pressed natural oils continues to grow in Canada as more people look for minimally processed foods, botanical skincare ingredients, natural haircare options, and versatile plant-based products with simple ingredient lists.

But choosing the right oil is not always straightforward.

Sea buckthorn oil is bright, fruity, and distinctive. Pine nut oil is smooth and nutty. Milk thistle oil has a more herbal character. Rosehip seed oil is especially well known in natural skincare, while amaranth oil is valued for its naturally occurring squalene.

So which cold-pressed oil is best for your needs?

This Canadian guide compares five distinctive botanical oils:

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

For each one, we look at its flavour, traditional use, culinary applications, skincare uses, haircare uses, and who may enjoy it most.

Whether you are searching for the best cold-pressed oil for cooking in Canada, a natural oil for dry skin, a botanical facial oil, a natural hair oil, or simply want to understand the differences between popular unrefined plant oils, this guide will help you compare your options.

Cold-pressed oil is made by mechanically pressing seeds, nuts, berries, or other plant materials to release their naturally occurring oils.

Compared with heavily refined vegetable oils, cold-pressed oils usually go through fewer processing steps. This helps preserve more of the plant’s original colour, aroma, flavour, and natural character.

Depending on the botanical source, cold-pressed oils may contain varying amounts of:

• monounsaturated fatty acids
• polyunsaturated fatty acids
• tocopherols
• phytosterols
• carotenoids
• phospholipids
• squalene
• other naturally occurring plant compounds

Each oil has a different composition.

That is why sea buckthorn oil may have a deep orange colour, pine nut oil may taste buttery and mild, and milk thistle oil may have a more herbal profile.

One of the most common questions about natural oils is the difference between cold-pressed and refined oil.

The main distinction is processing.

Refined oils can go through several stages designed to create a more neutral flavour, lighter colour, and more uniform finished product.

Cold pressing is a simpler mechanical process intended to retain more of the oil’s original sensory qualities.

This is one reason unrefined cold-pressed oils appeal to people interested in:

• minimally processed foods
• natural pantry ingredients
• botanical skincare
• natural haircare
• speciality cooking oils
• traditional food ingredients
• distinctive flavours and aromas

Cold-pressed does not automatically mean better for every purpose, though.

Some oils are best for finishing dishes, some are better suited to skincare, and others are especially versatile.

Sea buckthorn oil is one of the most distinctive botanical oils in this guide.

Sea buckthorn, or Hippophae rhamnoides, produces bright orange berries that have long been used as food across parts of Europe and Asia, including Siberia and other northern regions.

The berries naturally contain various fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and other plant compounds.

Those carotenoids are also responsible for the characteristic golden-orange or reddish colour seen in many sea buckthorn oils.

When people search for sea buckthorn oil, they often assume all products are the same.

They are not.

Sea buckthorn oil can be produced from:

• the seeds
• the fruit pulp
• the whole berry

These oils have different compositions.

Sea buckthorn fruit and pulp oil are particularly associated with palmitoleic acid, commonly known as omega-7, while seed oil usually contains more polyunsaturated fatty acids.

This makes it useful to check the label carefully before comparing products.

Cold-pressed sea buckthorn oil has a bold flavour that can be described as:

fruity + tart + earthy + slightly bitter

It is not a neutral oil.

For that reason, it works best when used in smaller amounts rather than poured generously over food.

Sea buckthorn berries have traditionally been used in:

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

Sea buckthorn oil has also become increasingly familiar as an ingredient in natural skincare and botanical cosmetics.

If the product is specifically labelled food-grade, sea buckthorn oil can be used in cold dishes or added after cooking.

Try it in:

• smoothies
• yogurt
• porridge
• breakfast bowls
• salad dressings
• berry sauces
• dips
• finished vegetables

Because the flavour and colour are strong, a small amount is usually enough.

Sea buckthorn oil can also be used in natural haircare.

Common uses include:

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

Take extra care if your hair is very light, blonde, or bleached because the oil may have a strong natural pigment.

Sea buckthorn oil may appeal to people who:

• enjoy bold botanical ingredients
• like berry-derived natural products
• want a distinctive oil for skincare
• are interested in omega-7-rich plant oils
• enjoy traditional northern ingredients

Best fit: people looking for a vivid, character-rich botanical oil.

Pine nut oil is one of the most approachable oils in this guide.

Also known as cedar nut oil in some Siberian and Eastern European traditions, it is pressed from edible pine kernels.

It has a naturally smooth texture and a mild, nutty flavour that makes it easy to use in everyday food.

Cold-pressed pine nut oil usually tastes:

mild + buttery + nutty + slightly sweet

Its flavour is noticeable without being overpowering.

That makes it a good choice for people who are just starting to explore speciality oils.

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

In Siberian traditions, the nuts often referred to as cedar nuts have long been valued as a forest food.

Their pressed oil has been used in cooking and traditional household personal-care routines.

Pine nut oil is one of the most versatile options in this comparison.

Try it with:

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

It works especially well as a finishing oil added just before serving.

Combine:

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

Use it with salads, vegetables, or grain bowls.

Pine nut oil can also be used in body care.

Its plant-based lipids can help leave dry-feeling skin feeling softer and more comfortable.

Try applying a few drops to slightly damp skin or blending it into your regular body moisturizer.

Pine nut oil is well suited to simple pre-shampoo treatments.

Apply a small amount to:

• dry ends
• hair lengths
• dry-feeling scalp areas, where appropriate

Leave it on before shampooing, then wash as usual.

Pine nut oil may suit you if you:

• are new to cold-pressed oils
• want a versatile edible oil
• enjoy mild nutty flavours
• want a finishing oil for everyday meals
• prefer subtle oils over strongly herbal options

Best fit: people looking for an easy, multipurpose culinary oil.

Milk thistle oil is pressed from the seeds of Silybum marianum, a plant best known for its purple flowers and long history in traditional herbal use.

While milk thistle is often associated with supplements, cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil is a separate product with its own culinary and cosmetic applications.

The oil naturally contains various fatty acids, including a substantial proportion of linoleic acid, along with tocopherols and phytosterols.

Milk thistle oil is generally more herbal than pine nut oil.

Its flavour can be described as:

mild + earthy + herbal + slightly nutty

It may appeal to people who already enjoy flaxseed, pumpkin seed, or other distinctive seed oils.

Milk thistle has been used in European herbal traditions for centuries.

Different parts of the plant have historically appeared in food and traditional botanical preparations.

Cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil offers another way to use this traditional plant ingredient.

Food-grade milk thistle oil works well in cold foods and finished dishes.

Try it in:

• salad dressings
• vegetable dips
• hummus
• grain bowls
• cooked potatoes
• steamed vegetables
• savoury yogurt sauces
• bread dips

Its herbal flavour pairs well with lemon, mustard, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Milk thistle seed oil can be incorporated into botanical skincare routines.

Like other plant oils, it can help skin feel softer and reduce the sensation of dryness.

Try mixing a few drops into body moisturizer or applying a small amount to slightly damp skin.

Common uses include:

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

If your hair is fine, start with only a few drops.

Milk thistle oil may suit people who:

• enjoy traditional herbal ingredients
• prefer seed-based oils
• like earthy, slightly herbal flavours
• want an alternative to more common culinary oils
• enjoy multipurpose botanical products

Best fit: people interested in distinctive herbal seed oils.

Rosehip seed oil is one of the most familiar oils in natural skincare.

It is usually made from the seeds of rose fruits, including species such as Rosa canina.

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

This composition has helped make it popular in:

• facial oils
• moisturizers
• serums
• body oils
• botanical skincare products

Food-grade rosehip seed oil may have a flavour that is:

mild + earthy + slightly fruity + seed-like

However, not every rosehip oil is intended to be eaten.

Always check that a product is clearly labelled food-grade or edible before using it in food.

Rosehips themselves have a long history as food ingredients.

They have been used to make:

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

Rosehip seed oil, however, is now especially well known as a skincare ingredient.

When specifically labelled for culinary use, rosehip oil can be added to:

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

Its mild flavour is usually best enjoyed without prolonged heating.

Rosehip oil for face is one of the most popular search terms connected to botanical oils.

Many people use it to help skin feel:

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

A few drops can be applied to slightly damp skin or mixed into a facial moisturizer.

Rosehip seed oil can also be used sparingly on:

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

Its lighter feel may appeal to people who find heavier oils too rich.

Rosehip seed oil may be a good fit if you:

• are focused on natural skincare
• want a lightweight botanical facial oil
• prefer minimalist beauty routines
• want an oil that can also be used sparingly on hair

Best fit: people looking for a familiar, lightweight skincare oil.

Amaranth oil is one of the lesser-known oils in this guide, but it has a distinctive place among botanical oils.

Amaranth is technically a pseudocereal rather than a true grain.

Its seeds contain a small but valuable oil fraction that naturally includes squalene.

This is one reason amaranth oil has become increasingly interesting in natural skincare and speciality oil categories.

Amaranth oil generally has a flavour that is:

nutty + earthy + slightly grain-like

It is more noticeable than a neutral oil, but less fruity than sea buckthorn.

Amaranth has been cultivated for thousands of years, particularly in the Americas.

Its seeds and leaves have long been used as food.

Today, amaranth is popular among people interested in:

• ancient grains
• alternative plant foods
• gluten-free ingredients
• traditional botanical foods

Food-grade amaranth oil works well as a finishing oil.

Try it with:

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

Its earthy flavour pairs particularly well with grains and roasted vegetables.

Amaranth oil contains naturally occurring squalene, a lipid also found in human sebum and widely used in cosmetic formulations.

It can be incorporated into routines for dry-feeling skin.

Try it as:

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

Patch testing is a sensible first step before using a new facial oil regularly.

Amaranth oil can also be used in:

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

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

Amaranth oil may appeal to people who:

• enjoy uncommon botanical oils
• are interested in naturally occurring squalene
• like nutty, earthy flavours
• want a speciality oil for both food and personal care

Best fit: botanical oil enthusiasts looking for something less familiar.

These two oils are very different.

Choose sea buckthorn oil if you want:

• a bold berry-derived oil
• a strong natural colour
• a distinctive flavour
• an oil popular in botanical skincare
• an ingredient associated with omega-7

Choose pine nut oil if you want:

• a mild nutty flavour
• an easy finishing oil
• a more versatile cooking option
• something beginner-friendly

For everyday food, pine nut oil may be easier to use regularly.

For skincare and a more distinctive botanical profile, sea buckthorn oil may be more interesting.

Both oils are popular in natural skincare, but they feel very different.

Rosehip seed oil is generally lighter and more commonly used as a facial oil.

Sea buckthorn oil is usually richer in colour and more intense.

Some people use rosehip as a daily facial oil and sea buckthorn in small amounts mixed into another oil or moisturizer.

The key difference is flavour.

Pine nut oil is mild, buttery, and nutty.

Milk thistle oil is more earthy and herbal.

If you want an oil for bread, potatoes, vegetables, or grains, pine nut oil may feel more familiar.

If you prefer herbal seed oils, milk thistle oil may be the more interesting option.

Rosehip seed oil is the more familiar choice for facial skincare.

Amaranth oil offers a different profile because of its naturally occurring squalene.

If you are new to facial oils, rosehip may feel more approachable.

If you enjoy discovering less common botanical oils, amaranth may be worth exploring.

There is no single best option for every recipe.

Best for a Mild Nutty Flavour: Pine Nut Oil

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

Best for a Distinctive Berry Flavour: Sea Buckthorn Oil

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

Best for an Herbal Seed Flavour: Milk Thistle Oil

Use it with dips, vegetables, salads, and grain bowls.

Best for Earthy Grain Dishes: Amaranth Oil

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

Best as a Skincare-First Oil: Rosehip Seed Oil

Use in food only when the product is specifically labelled food-grade.

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

For a lighter facial oil, try rosehip seed oil.

For a richer botanical berry oil, consider sea buckthorn oil.

For a mild multipurpose oil, consider pine nut oil.

For a more herbal seed oil, try milk thistle oil.

For an oil naturally containing squalene, explore amaranth oil.

Cold-pressed oils can be incorporated into simple routines for dry-feeling hair.

Pine Nut Oil: good for dry ends and pre-shampoo use.

Rosehip Seed Oil: useful for people who prefer a lighter texture.

Sea Buckthorn Oil: better suited to richer blends and masks.

Milk Thistle Oil: useful in scalp and pre-shampoo blends.

Amaranth Oil: suitable for dry lengths and richer oil treatments.

Start with a very small amount, especially if your hair is fine.

Add an appropriate food-grade oil to:

• porridge
• yogurt
• smoothies
• breakfast bowls

Use it in:

• salad dressings
• hummus
• grain bowls
• vegetable dishes

Add speciality oils after cooking to preserve more of their natural flavour and aroma.

Mix a few drops into your regular moisturizer or apply an appropriate oil to slightly damp skin.

Use a few drops on dry ends or as part of a pre-shampoo treatment.

When shopping for natural oils, look beyond the word “natural.”

Check the Botanical Source

The label should clearly identify the plant used.

Check Which Part of the Plant Is Pressed

This is especially important for sea buckthorn.

Seed oil, pulp oil, and whole-berry oil do not have identical compositions.

Check the Extraction Method

Look for terms such as:

• cold-pressed
• mechanically pressed
• unrefined

Check Whether It Is Food-Grade

Never assume a cosmetic oil is edible.

If you want to consume it, choose a product clearly made and labelled for food use.

Read the Ingredient List

A pure oil should have a simple ingredient list.

Consider the Packaging

Light, oxygen, and heat can affect plant oils over time, so good packaging and proper storage matter.

To help maintain flavour, aroma, and overall 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

Some minimally processed oils may naturally vary slightly in colour or appearance.

Sometimes, but not always.

A pure food-grade oil may sometimes be suitable for multiple uses, depending on the product.

A cosmetic oil should not be consumed unless it is specifically labelled as food-grade.

Always check the individual label first.

If your main priority is cooking, start with Pine Nut Oil.

If your main priority is facial skincare, consider Rosehip Seed Oil.

If you want a bold berry-based botanical oil, explore Sea Buckthorn Oil.

If you enjoy herbal seed oils, try Milk Thistle Oil.

If you want a less common oil with naturally occurring squalene, consider Amaranth Oil.

The key is not to find one “best” oil.

It is to find the oil that fits the way you actually plan to use it.

Whether your priority is cooking, natural skincare, haircare, or discovering traditional botanical oils, each one offers a different experience.

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

Discover oils made from berries, nuts, seeds, and traditional plants, and find the one that fits your cooking, skincare, or haircare routine.