Top Benefits of Sunflower Oil for Skin, and How to Use It

This antioxidant-rich plant oil is actually beneficial for all skin types to use.

Sunflower oil has seen more widespread use in the kitchen, thanks to its high amount of healthy polyunsaturated fat and low levels of saturated fat that raises cholesterol levels. It also enjoys widespread use in skin care products, due to its nutrients and compatibility with skin. Here are the top benefits of sunflower oil for skin, as well as ways you can easily incorporate it into your daily beauty routine.

Benefits of sunflower oil for skin

Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds. It’s high in a type of polyunsaturated fat known as Omega-6 essential fatty acid or linoleic acid. Omega-6 fatty acids are vital for skin health in many different ways. First of all, they form a part of your skin barrier to prevent water loss and dry dull skin. Application of Omega-6 fatty acids also soothes sensitive skin, or skin affected by inflammatory conditions.

The composition of sunflower seed oil makes it compatible with skin, meaning it’s easily absorbed and also enhances the penetration of other nutrients into skin. This characteristic makes sunflower oil one of the best oils for skin care. In addition, sunflower oil is known for being a high source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that heals damage and protects skin.

How to use sunflower oil for skin

1. Moisturize skin

Most commonly, sunflower oil is used in cosmetic product as an emollient. That means its composition as an oil helps to seal water into skin, keeping it soft, smooth, and radiant. It also forms a great base for cosmetic ingredients, keeping everything blended together and effectively penetrates your skin. It’s unique composition of beneficial fats makes it compatible with all skin types (and not just dry skin!), as it’s a non-comedogenic oil that won’t clog pores or leave skin greasy. That’s why it’s also an excellent carrier oil for essential oils.

2. Fight fine lines and wrinkles

Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that prevents against signs of aging. How? As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps neutralize the formation of free radicals caused by environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollution. These free radicals can damage healthy skin cells and deplete collagen levels, leading to the formation of fine lines and sunken skin. That makes sunflower oil a powerful anti-aging ingredient to add to your skin care routine.

3. Treat inflammation

Vitamin E’s anti-inflammatory properties make sunflower oil friendly to use for sensitive skin. A study found that sunflower oil didn’t trigger skin redness, and actually helps to improve skin hydration in people with atopic dermatitis.

4. Prevents acne

A study found that people with acne are commonly deficient in linoleic acid, which can throw sebum levels out of balance and increase inflammation. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, and is often used to nourish skin back to a healthy balance. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which can help to treat existing acne and prevent it from worsening. And because sunflower is non-comedogenic, it won’t clog pores and exacerbate acne formation.

5. Prevents sun damage

Sunflower oil’s high vitamin E content isn’t to be ignored. Not only does it help neutralize free radical damage caused from the sun and prevent wrinkle formation. It’s even been found to absorb energy from UV light, which can possibly prevent against dark spot formation and other signs of aging.  

Best skin care products with sunflower oil

Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil from Youth to the People
Cruelty-free, vegan
A super lightweight oil that’s effective at moisturizing all skin types without feeling greasy, and supercharged with anti-aging botanicals. The sunflower and jojoba oil blend together as the nourishing base. The formula is also balanced by the other essential fatty acid—Omega-3—that’s necessary for prime skin health, thanks to the addition of acai berry.

Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm from 100% Pure
Cruelty-free, gluten-free
This anti-aging balm contains only 8 ingredients, so you know that each one packs a nourishing punch. Organic sunflower seed oil and avocado butter form the base of the luxuriously soft formula, helping to increase skin moisture and firmness.

USDA Organic Treatment Oil from Juice Beauty
USDA organic, cruelty-free
A certified organic facial oil with organic sunflower seed oil as its first ingredient. It’s blended with other antioxidant-rich seed oils and botanicals for a highly moisturizing formula. It can be used for both skin and hair treatment!

Noni Glow Body Oil from Kora Organics
Cruelty-free, vegan
In addition to sunflower seed oil, this body oil is also enriched with rosehip and sea buckthorn oil that contain more vitamins and essential fatty acids for soft, smooth skin. Massage this oil into your skin after a long hot shower or bath to leave your body with a healthy glow.

Radiant Skin Silk Body Lotion from Annmarie Skincare
Cruelty-free
Prefer to avoid the potential mess of a body oil? This is the perfect lotion if you want to reap the benefits of sunflower oil for your whole body. Its rich texture is ideal for using on rough or dry patches. Contains soothing ingredients such as aloe, calendula, and green tea to calm and smooth skin.

Rejuvenating Rose Hip & Rosewater Body Oil Mist from Nourish Organic
USDA organic, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free
Want an even more hands-off application for sunflower oil, or an on-the-go sun treatment mist? Just spritz this formula onto body to condition your skin as you enjoy the sun. Rose water soothes and hydrates skin, while sunflower and rosehip oil lock it all in.

Everywhere Body Stick SPF 30 from 100% Pure
Cruelty-free, gluten-free
Sunflower oil on its own isn’t enough to protect your skin from the sun, so here’s a sunscreen stick that does! It provides broad spectrum protection, and the addition of sunflower seed oil ensures smooth, effortless application.

Clarity Organic Makeup Remover from Vapour Organic Beauty
USDA organic, cruelty-free, vegan
To remove heavy makeup from your skin without damaging it, you’ll always need an oil-based product to dissolve it. This organic makeup remover includes a base of skin-friendly oils to melt away makeup. It’s non-comedogenic, so it’s ideal for even acne-prone or oily skin.

When out on your next skin care shopping spree, keep an eye on the ingredients label for suspiciously synthetic ingredients, and instead look for sunflower seed oil as one of the first few ingredients.

More plant oil guides to purify, protect, and enhance your skin:

Best Rosehip Oils for Face in 2018: Our recommendations for the most high-quality rosehip oils and skin care products.
Top 7 Jojoba Oil Benefits for Skin: From moisturizing to treating acne, jojoba oil offers a range of benefits for treating skin conditions.
5 Easy Maracuja Oil Uses for Skin and Hair: This beauty ingredient comes with impressive healing qualities for restoring skin and hair.