What if I told you that one of the best, natural skincare ingredients might be in your kitchen right now? This product is rich in fatty acids like linoleic acid and oleic acid, but is low in palmitic acid, works for all skin types, won’t cause irritation, and helps repair skin’s natural barrier for healthier, smooth skin.
What’s more – you can use this for hair care, too! If you struggle with thinning hair, it helps with hair growth. If you have dry hair, it can moisturize your tresses to achieve shiny, strong hair.
What is this miracle product? It’s pure sunflower oil!
This underrated oil may be best known as a healthy option for cooking and baking, but it also has so many benefits for skin and hair when applied directly to the body or scalp.
Sunflower oil contains beneficial fatty acids that prevent premature aging, it has natural cleansing properties to clear out pores and soothe skin, so it’s suitable for all skin types.
In terms of hair health, the vitamin e-rich oil can help with hair growth and reduces frizzy hair.
But. There is a recommended method for using this oil- otherwise, you may end up looking greasy.
What Is Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is an oil derived from sunflower seeds of the sunflower plant.
Yep, those same lovely yellow flowers that bloom in late summer are packed with nutritious oil.
For cosmetics, sunflower seeds are typically cold-pressed to release the natural oils.
Not only it is a healthy oil for eating, it is packed with serious skin nutrients that make it a great choice for using on your face, too.
Pure, Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil
The composition of sunflower oil includes healthy fatty acids like, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and a small amount of palmitic acid.
- Oleic acid
It helps lock in moisture and promotes wound healing. It can help clear up acne scars left from blemishes or acne breakouts.
- Linoleic acid
Even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, sunflower oil is a great choice to moisturize, without risking breakouts.
Why? because linoleic acid helps balance sebum production and strengthens the protective barrier for skin.
The linoleic acids found in sunflower oil also have natural anti-inflammatory properties, making this oil generally considered safe for sensitive skin.
- Stearic acid
It acts as a natural cleanser and is often found in skin care products because of its skin benefits. Not only does it help protect the skin barrier, but it prevents water loss on the skin’s outer layer, too.
- Sesamol
A natural antioxidant that reduces the signs of aging. It also helps with irritation. If your skin is inflamed this reduces redness and itching.
Sesamol is also believed to be a natural perservative which prevents oil from spoiling – meaning pure, natural sunflower oil does not need any added preservatives.
- Vitamin E
A natural defense against aging and sun damage and can help treat hyperpigmentation. It also is a fantastic to moisturize dry skin and smooth out uneven skin tone.
- Vitamin K
A powerhouse for preventing premature aging and stopping wrinkles from forming. Vitamin K helps with the body’s collagen production and is good for thinning hair, too.
Sunflower Oil Benefits
Sunflower oil is already a common ingredient in many beauty products. Check your cleansers, toners and face creams to see if Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (sunflower oil) is listed as one of the ingredients.
Let’s look at the sunflower oil benefits for your skin and hair1:
- Naturally cleansing,
- Deeply hydrating, without clogging pores (it is non-comedogenic),
- Fights the signs of aging with natural vitamins and essential fatty acids,
- Fast absorbing and lightweight, but still a great carrier oil for essential oil or serum,
- Treats thinning hair and strengthens weak tresses (it’s one of the best oils to help bleached hair become smooth again),
- When used as a scalp or hair mask, helps treat scalp flaking and removes dead skin cells,
- Helps to balance sebum production, ideal for oily or combination skin,
- Strengthens skins’s protective barrier.
Is Sunflower Seed Oil Effective?
Yes! Studies continue to show the conditioning, nourishing and anti-aging benefits of sunflower oil.
If you’re on the fence about using this lightweight, non-comedogenic oil, give it a try! Using sunflower oil as part of your skin care routine should result in shinier, healthier hair and clear, radiant skin.
How To Use Sunflower Oil For Skin
Here are some ideas for using sunflower oil to nourish your skin2:- Use as a natural cleanser
- Use as a base for serums
- Use as a daily moisturizer
- Use as an overnight cream
- As a daily moisturizer
- As a carrier oil
How Often Should You Use Sunflower Oil For Skin
Sunflower oil is gentle enough to use daily on your skin, and, because it is non-comedogenic it will not lead to breakouts or blackheads. Yipee!
How To Use Sunflower Oil For Hair
Sunflower oil is amazing for your hair. Because it is high in vitamin K, sunflower seed oil can be frequently found in products that treat baldness or thinning hair3.
- For the scalp
Warm the oil for a few seconds and apply a thick coating directly to your scalp. Massage in for 5 -10 minutes, which helps promote circulation and encourages new growth.
Then rinse with warm water or shampoo. You may need to rinse and shampoo twice to avoid your hair appearing greasy after a scalp treatment4.
- As a moisturizing hair mask
If you’re facing dry, brittle hair then treat hair breakage by applying sunflower oil directly along the hair shaft.
Use warmed sunflower oil on dry hair, starting at the scalp and running to the ends of your hair. Allow to soak in for 30 minutes before washing out with a gentle shampoo and rinsing with warm water.
You should find your hair softer and stronger after several treatments.
- To reduce frizzy hair
Curly or wavy hair generally needs additional moisture to prevent frizz. Use sunflower oil as a lightweight hair oil to control flyaways and frizz, without making your hair appear greasy.
How Often Should You Use Sunflower Oil For Hair
- Scalp treatment: Once a week.
- Hair mask: Once a week (twice a week if you swim in chlorine or salt water, or if your hair is coarse).
- With a conditioner: As often as you condition your hair.
- As frizz control: as needed, use a small amount.
Who Should Use Sunflower Seed Oil?
Now, lets look at the benefits of sunflower oil according to skin type5.
Sunflower seed oil has been used to treat skin conditions such as; dermatitis, skin infections and help reduce the itching of eczema.
Because it moisturizes without clogging pores, its a great choice for combination or acne-prone skin as a conditioning agent in your skincare routine.
If you are currently using topical creams to treat any of the above, please talk to your doctor before using sunflower oil, just in case.
Side Effects Of Sunflower Oil – What To Watch Out For?
Sunflower oil is very safe to use. One of the benefits of sunflower oil is that it is anti-inflammatory, so you are very unlikely to have any negative reactions when using this oil.
The only serious concern to watch out for is an allergic reaction6.
Do not use sunflower oil if you have a known sunflower allergy or nut allergies.
Also, those with sensitivities to ragweed should be careful and test a bit of sunflower oil in a small, inconspicuous area before applying to their hair or face.
If you’ve already used products that contain sunflower oil as an ingredient, it is unlikely that you’ll have a negative reaction.
Sunflower Seed Oil – FAQ
You may be more familiar with cooking with sunflower seed oil than you are with using it in your beauty routine. The good news is, sunflower oil is already a common ingredient in many beauty products.
Is It Okay To Put Sunflower Oil On Your Face?
Yes, it is okay to put sunflower oil on your face. This nourishing oil is great for keeping skin healthy, and very gentle, so you can use it on sensitive skin, too.
When selecting an oil to use on your face, choose organic, cold-pressed oil that has no added preservatives, chemicals or other ingredients.
Is Sunflower Oil Comedogenic?
No, sunflower oil is non-comedogenic. This means it is will not clog pores.
Sunflower oil rates a 0 on the comedogenic scale. As a reference, coconut oil rates as a 4 on the comedogenic scale, it is a much heavier oil and will likely clog pores.
In this article you can read more about comedogenic ingredients (and see the list of non-comedogenic alternatives).
Can Sunflower Oil Lighten Skin?
Sunflower oil is known as a skin brightener, because it smooths out uneven skin tones.
Sunflower oil can, in a sense, lighten skin. Research is still going on, but the suggestion is that sunflower oil reduces skin’s sensitivity to sun, preventing skin from tanning or tanning very dark.
However, it will not change one’s skin color to appear lighter than their natural skin tone- this is called skin bleaching, and I’m not in favor of bleaching or lightening one’s natural skin tone.
Is Sunflower Oil Good For Hair And Face?
Yes! The healthy amino acids and Vitamin E and K are great for healthy skin and hair. The nourishing benefits of sunflower oil help treat dry, irritated skin, too.
Does Sunflower Oil Help Hair Growth?
Sunflower oil could also have a positive effect on hair growth.
If you use sunflower oil as part of a scalp massage, it can help promote new hair growth due to improved circulation and blood flow, as well as the oil’s natural vitamin K.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
Resources:
- https://fleurandbee.com/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://thebeautyholic.com/
- https://www.byrdie.com/
- https://haireveryday.com/
