Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is light yellow and slightly nutty smelling. It is obtained by special pressing of the seeds and is known in cosmetics in two different variants: as pure and natural sunflower oil or as oil from a specially cultivated variety, which therefore also contains more oleic acid and is therefore more stable. Although the natural native Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil is considered more valuable, the “High Oleic” variety is not modified by genetic engineering, but solely by selection, and is therefore not necessarily to be classified as questionable.
Sunflower oil: The small kernels have it all
Sun-flower oil is very rich in linoleic acid, but has a relatively low content of so-called saturated fatty acids. In cosmetics, it is considered a very light and mildly caring oil with even an anti-inflammatory effect, which is due to its tocopherol content. This content also protects the skin lipids from oxidation and ensures that the oil is easily absorbed.
It is considered cell-renewing and even reduces excessive sebum production, can also be used as an anti-ageing agent due to its vitamin E content and increases the skin’s elasticity in the long term. Sunflower oil is often used in cleansing products such as cleansing creams or lotions, in make-up remover oils and in bath products. But it also performs well in hair care products and in light, non-sticky creams for oily skin. The fact that it does not leave a greasy film is also an important advantage.
Sunflower oil advantages
This natural oil is also often used as a base for natural soaps. However, it tends to be a fast-moving substance and should therefore be stored in a dark, cool place and in carefully closed bottles.
An ideal home remedy, on the other hand, is a scrub that consists of sunflower oil and about four tablespoons of sea salt. It is quick to make and leaves the skin soft to the touch within a short time.
Basically, sunflower oil is very well tolerated, but people who suffer from couperose should be careful. This is a disease with dilated vessels in the facial area. The redness associated with the disease can be intensified by the slightly warming effect of sunflower oil, so that the substance would be rather counterproductive in this case.
Moreover, it is always better to resort to special preparations with sun-flower oil and not to use the oil pure from the supermarket, as it can possibly trigger allergies in higher concentrations.
In the kitchen, it is mainly used as cooking oil. As biofuel and biodiesel, it has recently been gaining in importance, and it is also very common in pharmaceuticals as a filler material in soft gelatine capsules. The warming properties have led to this oil even being used to treat skin ulcers, rheumatism, and joint diseases.
Fact sheet
Alternative name: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
INCI: Helianthus Annuus Oil
Contents: 77 percent linoleic acid, up to a maximum of 40 percent oleic acid
Use in cosmetics: Basis of various creams and lotions, as a bath additive, pure even as a make-up remover.
We like to work with these raw materials, based on sunflower oil:
| Tradename | INCI | Supplier | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ama-oil | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (and) Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract (and) Diisostearyl Malate (and) Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract | Provital Group | |
| Collageneer | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (and) Lupinus Albus Seed Extract | Laboratoires Expanscience | |
| ASTAPLANCTON HA | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (and) Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract | Gelyma | |
| Rosemary Antioxidant Extract 14% Diterpene Phenols (organic) | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (and) Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract | Flavex Naturextrakte GmbH | |
| RootBioTec HO | Ocimum Basilicum Hairy Root Culture Extract (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (and) Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil | Mibelle AG | |
| Sunflower Wax | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax | Koster Keunen BV | |
| symbiomuls rich | Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate (and) Behenyl Alcohol (and) Glyceryl Stearate Citrate (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax (and) Glyceryl Caprate (and) Tocopherol (and) Ascorbyl Palmitate (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil | Dr. Straetmans | |
| Acticire | Jojoba Esters (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax (and) Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax (and) Polyglycerin-3 | Gattefossé | |
| Kahlwax 6607L | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax | Kahl Wax |
Conclusion: The relatively inexpensive sunflower oil can do more than you think.
Even in the organic variety, sunflower oil is quite affordable, but this does not mean that the oil plays a subordinate role. Since it does not leave a greasy film and not only makes the skin wonderfully soft, but also provides it with important ingredients, it should definitely not be underestimated in cosmetics.
Literature:
Hrádková I, Merkl R, Smidrkal J, Kyselka J, Filip V.Eur J Lipid Sci Technol. 2013 Jul;115(7):747-755. doi: 10.1002/ejlt.201200293.
Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N.Front Pharmacol. 2022 Apr 25;13:868461.
Bojanowski K, Swindell WR, Cantor S, Chaudhuri RK.J Invest Dermatol. 2021 Jun;141(6):1416-1427