Ingredient Spotlight: Sunflower Seed Oil
Helianthus annus seed oil
You may have seen this latin name for sunflower oil listed on the back of many natural skincare products. It’s a common skincare ingredient because it’s easily accessible, affordable, versatile, and has many skin benefits. It can even be used alone as a face, body, or hair oil. You can find it in a few of our products - the Cocoa Lotion Bar, Shea Body Butter, and Turmeric & Oatmeal Soap
Here are 5 benefits of sunflower oil for your skin:
1. Moisturizes skin
Sunflower oil has emollient properties that help the skin retain its moisture. Vitamin E helps trap moisture inside skin cells, keeping skin hydrated for a longer period.
2. Provides protective barrier
The linoleic acid in sunflower oil helps to maintain the skin’s natural barrier, supporting its ability to retain moisture, as well as protecting skin against dirt and bacteria.
3. Anti-inflammatory
Sunflower oil can alleviate temporary redness and help soothe irritated skin, especially when sensitive or dry.
4. Rich in antioxidants
Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E, a protective antioxidant. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin D, which help to protect from environmental stressors that can cause premature aging.
5. Non-comedogenic
Sunflower oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it’s not likely to clog your pores, even if you have oily and acne prone skin.
How to use sunflower seed oil
Cleansing Oil: massage a liberal amount of sunflower oil into dry skin for about 1 minute. Use a warm, damp washcloth to remove oil, rinsing washcloth as needed. Follow with a toning mist and face oil.
Face Oil: On clean damp skin, press 4-6 drops of oil into skin.
Body Oil: Apply to damp skin, preferably just out of the shower. Wait a few minutes before putting on clothes.
Hair Oil: Take a dropper full of oil and apply to ends of damp hair. For a full hair mask, apply liberally from roots to ends of hair. Leave in hair from 1 hour to overnight. Wash and condition as normal.
Where to buy sunflower seed oil:
You can buy certified organic sunflower seed oil at Mountain Rose Herbs, $9.50 for 16 fl oz
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