Organic Sunflower Oil for Skincare

Sunflower oil is likely something you may have passed by in the grocery store next to the other more “exotic” oils, but you might not have given it a try. Sunflower oil is not onlygreat for cooking, it also boasts a number of health benefits when incorporated into the diet and when it is used as an ingredient inskincare products. Made from the same basic stuff ball players chew on summer afternoons, sunflower oil isn’t as exotic as it might sound!

So what does this all mean? Today, we will take a look at sunflower oil as a product, how it can be used in skincare applications, and why sunflower oil offers such a wide range of potential health benefits.

What is Sunflower Oil?

Sunflower oil is the oil pressed from sunflower seeds. Extraction methods may differ, but it is a similar process of manufacture from other familiar items such aspeanut oil or olive oil. There are three basic forms of sunflower oil:

NuSun sunflower oil is the most modern form of sunflower oil. It was created in the mid 90’s in order to create a product which met market demands. As a result, many companies have switched to manufacturing NuSun oil, which is free of trans fat, boasts a great flavor profile, and is known for its health benefits. 

Linoleic Sunflower Oil is the granddaddy of sunflower oils. Until the introduction of NuSun, linoleic sunflower oil was also the most commonly produced of all sunflower oils. Linoleic sunflower oil is named for its high linoleic acid content, which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid.

High Oleic Sunflower Oil is non-hydrogenated oil with a high monounsaturated oleic acid content. Monounsaturated fats are primarily known for their ability to raise HDL (good cholesterol) without impacting LDL (the bad cholesterol).

Health Benefits of Organic Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is amongst the most nutritionally dense and health beneficial oils on the market today. In addition to high monounsaturated fats, omega-6’s, and high Vitamin E content, organic sunflower oil has been shown to offer a number ofacute health benefits, including:

• Reducing the risk of heart disease:for many of the reasons we stated above, sunflower oil is ideal for those at risk of heart disease. High oleic sunflower oil is especially effective in this regard.
• Reducing high cholesterol:high monounsaturated fats are the ideal solution for those with cholesterol problems. Many foods which lower your bad cholesterol will also lower the good. Not so with sunflower oil!
• Treating athlete’s foot:our first acute skincare benefit harnesses theantiseptic properties of sunflower oils to effectively manage and/or eliminate the symptoms of athlete’s foot.
• Reducing high blood pressure:sunflower oil is similar to olive oil when it comes to heart health. While studies show that olive oil may be even more effective at reducing blood pressure, sunflower oil is also a potent tool.

How Sunflower Oil Promotes Healthy, Beautiful Skin

So far we have covered the traits of sunflower oil for overall health, but what about for your skin? Sunflower oil actually has a number of characteristics which mayimprove the health and visible appearance of skin, such as:

• High Vitamin E content: vitamin E is a miracle skin care ingredient. It is a powerful antioxidant and nutrient which strengthens skin against irritants, UV rays, and much more.

• Improved skin hydration: as with many oils, sunflower oil is a natural moisturizer. It also acts by penetrating beneath the surface and repairing skin from within.

• High antioxidant concentrations: antioxidants on the skin can fight against free radicals which can lead to premature skin aging, reduced skin elasticity, and more.

• Essential fatty acids fight inflammation: the omega-6 fatty acids found in abundance within sunflower seeds aren’t just good for your diet, they are also great for reducing skin inflammation, improving blood flow, and much more.

Sunflower Oil and Skin Care FAQs

Is sunflower oil an essential oil?

Sunflower oil is what is known as acarrier oil. This means that sunflower oil is gentler, less aromatic, and generally milder than essential oils. Other types of carrier oils include avocado oil andcoconut oil. 

Is it safe to use sunflower oil directly on skin?

Absolutely! Sunflower oil is extremely safe to use directly on skin, as part of a healthy diet, or as an ingredient in a curated skincare product. In fact, sunflower oil is such a healthy ingredient for the skin that it is ideal for daily use.

Will sunflower oil clog my pores?

One of the best features of sunflower oil is its lightness. Sunflower oil has acomedogenic rating of 0, which is the best possible score.Comedogenic scores essentially tell you how much an oil or other skin product will cling to your skin and clog your pores. A score of 0 tells you that there is little to no risk of this happening!

The Yellow Bird Proudly Offers Products with Organic Sunflower Oil

Here atThe Yellow Bird, we love sunflower oil so much that we use it in about a dozen of our favorite products! Our commitment to natural skin care has led us on a search for effective, safe, and naturally sourced ingredients. The products you find at The Yellow Bird will always be free ofparabens, sulfates, GMOs, synthetic dyes, and synthetic fragrances.

Shop our skincare products with Sunflower Oil