Everything you need to know about sunflower oil.

In terms of its biochemical composition, sunflower oil boasts several active ingredients to which it owes its beneficial properties. Indeed, it is rich in fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid and oleic acid. Sunflower oil also contains saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid. These compounds contribute to the hydration and protection of the skin against external aggressions (UV rays, pollution etc..). Sunflower oil also contains vitamins A, D, and E, which possess antioxidant properties. Vitamin D concurrently aids in cellular regeneration.

Among the constituents of sunflower oil are phytosterols, which enhance the oil's ability to penetrate the skin. It also contains polyphenols, which act in synergy with antioxidant vitamins, and trace elements such as zinc and selenium.

As of today, the primary extraction method used for sunflower oil is cold pressing. This process offers a good production yield and allows for the acquisition of high-quality oil. This method avoids the use of heat and chemical compounds. It is a two-step process. The seeds are first cleaned and pressed to extract the oil. This oil is then refined to remove any remaining impurities that could affect the quality of the oil. Sunflower oil obtained through cold pressing thus retains all of its essential nutrients and therefore all of its properties.

The vegetable oil ofHelianthus Anuus has multiple benefits for the skin.

• Sunflower oil ensures hydration and the maintenance of skin suppleness.

  Sunflower oil is an effective emollient that moisturizes the skin through its fatty acids. Indeed, naturally present in sebum, they strengthen the hydrolipidic film on the surface of the epidermis, which limits water loss and ensures the maintenance of the skin barrier. Moreover, thanks to the linoleic acid it contains, sunflower oil contributes to the cohesion of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin.

• Sunflower oil protects the skin from oxidative stress.

  The vitamins found in sunflower oil exhibit antioxidant properties. These effects enable them to neutralize free radicals, reactive oxygen species, which are responsible for oxidative stress. This significantly contributes to combating skin aging and damage caused by UV action at the skin structure level.

• Sunflower oil helps to reduce inflammatory processes.

  Thanks to its fatty acids, sunflower oil exerts anti-inflammatory properties. The linoleic acid and oleic acid it contains act by reducing the production of inflammation factors (interleukins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, etc.). They also combat inflammation by increasing the total protein and DNA content, allowing for the reduction of inflammatory symptoms. Moreover, it has been proven that the polyphenols in sunflower oil contribute to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that plays a role in the production of prostaglandins. Thus, sunflower oil has a soothing effect on the skin, calming irritations and itchiness.

Beyond these numerous benefits for the skin, the sesame oil also exhibits various interesting properties for the hair.

• Sunflower oil ensures the hydration of the hair.

  Hair fibers are surrounded by a hydrolipidic film that allows for their hydration and protection. This film can sometimes be damaged and may fail to defend against external aggressions. By depositing on the surface of the fibers, sunflower oil strengthens the hydrolipidic film. Moreover, the fatty acids present in its composition have a structure similar to that of the lipids that make up the hair cuticle. They are capable of integrating into it and acting as an intercellular cement, thus allowing for deep nutrition of the hair.

• Sunflower oil protects hair from free radicals.

  Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin E (tocopherols), a potent antioxidant. As such, it is capable of neutralizing free radicals through electron donation. Oxidative stress is responsible for various detrimental effects on the hair such as increased fragility, hair loss, alteration of hair color, and even the accelerated appearance of gray hair. Sunflower oil helps prevent these various phenomena.

• Does sunflower oil stimulate hair growth?

  Sunflower oil is also credited with the ability to stimulate hair growth. Its fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins are believed to enhance the exchange of oxygen and nutrients at the hair follicles, thereby promoting increased hair growth. However, studies on this subject remain very limited. Further investigations would be necessary to conclude the role of sunflower oil in hair growth.

In the absence of studies proving its safety in infants, sunflower oil is not recommended for this vulnerable population as a precautionary principle because it may affect their skin barrier and cause local skin irritations. This vegetable oil is also contraindicated for all individuals allergic to the seeds of this plant.

Furthermore, all vegetable oils can become rancid and oxidize. When this happens, they are capable of causing allergic reactions on the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to store sunflower oil in a tightly sealed container, away from light, and to use it within six months of opening.