Sunflowers are more than just the incredible yellow blooms that make a fantastic bouquet. These lovely, large flowers create nutrient-rich seeds whose oil has a range of multiple uses in skincare.
Sunflower oil has been used as a natural skincare ingredient for thousands of years globally, and it boasts a whole bunch of advantages from boosting nourishment to protecting skin against the elements and helping you look younger [1].
In this post, we’ll cover the best reasons to use sunflower oil, how sunflower oil is prepared, how to use sunflower oil in your skincare regimen. Here are some vital sunflower oil skin benefits:
Sunflower oil benefits for skin
Moisturizing – Vitamin E works as an emollient that traps moisture inside skin cells. Therefore, applying sunflower oil on the skin helps keep it hydrated for a more extended period. One of the choices is to add a few drops of the oil into a traditional cream [2].
Sunflower seed oil for skin
1. Anti-aging activity
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that struggles against the harm done by free radicals. The UMMC (University of Maryland Medical Center) proved that Vitamin E in skincare products could help protect the collagen and elastin in the skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Applying sunflower seed oil for the skin only multiple times per week can help delay its aging.
2. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activity
According to the UMMC (University of Maryland Medical Center), Vitamin E helps lower roughness and skin redness. Overall appearance will improve, providing you regularly use the sources of Vitamin E onto the skin.
The anti-inflammatory properties of sunflower oil for skin are evidently significant as the oil is rich in Omega-6 (linoleic) fatty acid along with Vitamin E. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that linoleic acid helps minimize inflammation in the skin (i.e., dermatitis, acne, sunburns).
The UMMC also reports that Omega-6 enhances the development of new skin cells. Thus, sunflower oil for skin care ensures even skin surface and is continually revitalized.
3. Skin protection
High in Vitamin E product maintains the outer protective skin layer, notes the HMS (Harvard Medical School). Therefore, the topical application of sunflower seed oil for skin helps protect it from future environmental harm and restrict moisture loss.
Daily sunflower oil treatment for the skin of low birth weight or premature infants lowered their chances of developing infections in the hospital.
[Read: Vitamin E Oil Benefits]
4. Wound healing
Small animal research also found that the topical application of sunflower oil was effective for healing wounds quickly. This may be because of its oleic acid content, which can be useful for wound care.
An animal study done in 2004 concluded that sesame oil and its component, sesamol, had chemopreventive properties in mice with skin cancer and indicated that more research is required to ascertain their full potential [3].
5. Antioxidants
Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties will help shield skin from the sun’s adverse effects and free radicals, such as wrinkles and premature aging. Using a skincare product enriched with sunflower oil is an excellent way to obtain vitamin E’s benefits for the skin [4].
Eating foods made with sunflower oil is another way, although other plant oils, such as olive oil, can benefit nutritionally.
6. Non-comedogenic
Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic carrier oil that won’t clog pores and is extremely absorbent. It’s non-irritating for many individuals and can be used on all skin types, including normal, dry, oily, and acne-prone.
Sunflower oil skincare
DIY Sunflower Oil Recipes For Your Face:
Fights wrinkles: sunflower oil can be applied topically to the skin (and is often included in infant products, it’s so mild!). Sunflower oil is high in Vitamin A, E, C, and D as well and helps retain moisture. Apply straight to the skin as an antioxidant facial oil.
[Read: Benefits of Sunflower Oil]
Sunflower oil for acne skin
1. Acne moisturizer
Use sunflower oil as your go-to hydration oil; the fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants help regenerate skin while it battles acne-causing bacteria. Dab some on a cotton pad as you would a toner and apply over your skin.
2. Eye “cream”
The absorbability and light texture of sunflower oil make it suitable for under the eye at night. Apply gently with a ball or cotton pad.
3. Anti-Aging mask
By taking 3 Tbsp. Sunflower Oil, 1 c. plain Greek Yogurt, and 2 Tbsp. Lemon juice, you can make a face mask adequate enough for the spa. The yogurt dissolves dead skin cells, the oil moisturizes, and lemon juice aids to brighten a dull complexion.
Because it helps expedite cell turnover, the mask also works excellent for acne and irritation in the skin as well. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse vigorously.
[Read: Best Homemade Anti-Aging Face Masks]
Tips for using sunflower seed oil on the skin
To get the beautifying benefits of sunflower oil to full potential, it is essential to know some rules of applying it topically.
- You should apply sunflower oil only on warm damp skin, for instance, after bathing. So the oil is absorbed excellently, and its nutrients soak deep inside your skin.
- Sunflower oil is exceptionally adaptable for sensitive skin and the skin under the eyes. It reduces wrinkles and smoothes the under-eye area.
- A right solution of skin-soothing is to add sunflower oil to your bath.
- Sunflower oil is excellent for lubrication and massage.
- Sunflower oil is excellent as a diluting base in aromatherapy because it has a subtle skin texture and a minimal scent.
Bottom Line
Sunflower oil is excellent for any skin type. Cold-pressed, organic oil may be the best type to apply for the skin.
