20 benefits of sunflower oil for your skin, hair and health

Sunflower oil, extracted from the seeds of this flower, is widely used in cooking and also in cosmetic formulas due to its properties.

Because it’s rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, C, B1, B5, and B6, and minerals like copper, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium, it’s considered one of the healthiest oils available.

In addition to preventing serious diseases such as some types of cancer, sunflower oil offers benefits for the skin and hair, especially in relation to hydration.

Check out the list of positive effects that this oil full of powerful properties can offer for skin, hair and health:

Benefits of sunflower oil for the skin

Sunflower oil is excellent for maintaining skin health and beauty because of its soothing and emollient properties. In addition, because it is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, it is widely used in treatments against acne, irritations, eczema and other skin problems.

• Moisturizing agent: due to its emollient properties, sunflower oil helps the skin retain its hydration. It can be used as a protective barrier against dryness;
• Improved skin health: Sunflower oil is very rich in vitamin E, which helps prevent damage caused by UVA radiation. In addition, this vitamin protects the skin against wrinkles;
• Acne treatment: being very light and non-greasy, this oil is easily absorbed by the skin, without clogging the pores. Its vitamins and fatty acids act as antioxidants to regenerate cells and help fight acne-causing bacteria;
• Protection against solar radiation: in addition to vitamin E, sunflower oil is rich in beta-carotene, which makes the skin less sensitive to damage caused by the sun;
• Prevention of premature aging: the antioxidant properties help fight free radicals that cause the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines in young skins;
• Treatment of dry skin: with a great emollient power, sunflower oil increases the water retention capacity of the skin, being beneficial for people with dry or sensitive skin;
• Treatment of other skin problems: as it is a high quality oil and has a light texture, it is suitable for normal and dry skin. It is used in topical products and gives a soft touch sensation.

Sunflower oil benefits for hair

As with the skin, sunflower oil exerts a moisturizing effect on the hair. The nutrients and antioxidants in this ingredient also provide hair benefits.

• Frizz control: due to its texture, sunflower seed oil helps control frizz, fights dehydration and can be used as a natural conditioner. Apply them to the strands before washing the hair twice a week to get these effects;
• Treatment of some hair problems: being extremely light, this oil helps to condition oily hair. In addition, it nourishes the hair and prevents hair breakage;
• Prevention of thinning and hair loss: as it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, the oil helps prevent hair from becoming thin. It is also effective in treating hair loss;

Health benefits of sunflower oil

In addition to offering benefits for the skin and hair, the components of sunflower oil form a mixture of mono- and poly-unsaturated fats that are excellent for our health. Discover the benefits for our body:

• Cardiovascular health: the content of mono- and poly-unsaturated fats combined with vitamins makes sunflower oil one of the healthiest to consume, helping to reduce cardiovascular diseases and the chance of a heart attack;
• Arthritis prevention: the oil has rheumatoid arthritis prevention properties;
• Prevention of Asthma and Colon Cancer: Vitamin E provided by sunflower oil helps prevent asthma attacks and even colon cancer;
• Prevention of other types of cancer: the carotenoids found in this oil help prevent uterine, lung and skin cancer;
• Reduction of bad cholesterol: the proportion of mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and the presence of lecithin help maintain healthy levels of good and bad cholesterol;
• Fighting free radicals: Vitamin E and tocopherols in sunflower oil help neutralize free radicals, molecules that cause cell damage and can lead to cancer;
• Tissue regeneration: the proteins in this oil help in tissue repair and also in the production of hormones and enzymes;
• Prevention of infections in children: the protective barrier formed on the skin with the application of sunflower oil helps to reduce the risk of infections in premature babies;
• Nervous system health: the concentration of B vitamins present in this oil contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system;
• Reduction of heart problems and some types of cancer: Sunflower oil contains selenium, a mineral that helps reduce the risk of heart problems as well as lung and skin cancer.

The benefits of sunflower oil are really very significant, making it a more interesting option than other oils like coconut or almond. However, because it is a fat, it should be consumed in small amounts.

And, of course, we do not recommend that you start or replace an already ongoing treatment with sunflower oil. To do this safely, it is always necessary to consult a doctor and make sure that the new measure is really beneficial for your health.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.