Benefits Of Sunflower Oil On Skin & Hair And Easy Ways To Apply It
By
Editorial Staff in
Facts
On 21st June 2016
One of the first crops grown in the Americas, sunflowers have always been a staple in the kitchen. Though sunflowers looked quite differently back then, we can attribute the reform of the sunflower's health benefits to Peter the Great. That's right, the Czar of Russia wasn't just known for reforming the Russian army — he also fell in love with the sunflower. In the 18th century, though the sunflower is native to America, Peter the Great separated the cultivation of the seed for consumption and oil production and growing a whopping two million acres of flowers annually. By 1830, the sunflower made a comeback to the Americas when Mariah fell off the contemporary hits chart and came back with those sick R&B beats. Yes, it was that serious.
The sunflower we know today has everything you could ever want for healthy skin, hair, and eyes.
#1 Introduction:
Sunflower oil extracted from sunflower seeds is commonly used in cooking and in cosmetic products as an emollient. Sunflower oil is rich in nutrients and minerals that work wonders for the skin. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, it can be applied topically or ingested. Sunflower oil is easily absorbed by the skin and is great during warm or humid weather.
Here are the benefits of Sunflower Oil on the Skin and Hair:
#2 Anti-aging
The antioxidants in sunflower oil can help remove free radicals and lessen the cell damage on the skin. Applying it every day can help the elasticity of the skin and ease wrinkles and fine lines. Massaging it on target areas in a circular motion can help blood circulation.
#3 Moisturizing
Vitamin E helps rejuvenate skin cells. Using sunflower oil in the skin can lock in moisture and vitamin E on the skin. You can add a few drops of sunflower oil in your moisturizer to help boost its benefits.
#4 Protection
Using sunflower oil topically creates a protective layer on the skin shielding it from chemical and environmental damage. The amount of vitamin E in sunflower oil helps create this layer.
#5 Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory
We all know that Vitamin E is great for the skin, it helps reduce roughness and redness. Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin E and rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. The omega 3 works as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in the sunflower oil. It is beneficial when applied on sunburns, dermatitis and acne.
#6 Conditioning Greasy Hair
Sunflower oil is a valuable ingredient for conditioning greasy hair, says Valerie Ann Worwood in her book, "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy." Sunflower oil helps to nourish the hair and prevent breakage, say Caroline Bunker Rosdahl and Mary T. Kowalski in "The Textbook of Basic Nursing."
#7 Hair Oil
Sunflower oil is an inexpensive ingredient that people can use to make scented hair oil, according to Carl Deite's "A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Perfumery." Since it's odorless at ambient temperature, it does not detract from perfumery formulations. For example, use 500 drams sunflower oil with 2 drams lemon oil, 3 drams rosemary oil, 5 drams lavender oil, 1 dram geranium oil, 1 dram thyme oil and ¼ dram musk tincture. A dram is about 1/8 oz.
#8 Nutrition
Sunflower oil contains gamma linolenic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid. Such fatty acids are essential to hair health, says Spencer David Kobren in his book, "The Truth About Women's Hair Loss: What Really Works for Treating and Preventing Thinning Hair." GLA also is effective in preventing hair loss from male and female pattern baldness as well as alopecia areata, which causes round patches of lost hair. Just 1 tsp. a day is all that's needed, Kobren says.
#9 Tips for Using Sunflower Oil:
When applying sunflower oil topically follow these simple tips to maximize the benefits.
Sunflower oil can seep in easily through sensitive skin like the under eye area. Applying it in sensitive areas can help reduce wrinkles and smoothen fine lines.
Apply the oil only in warm and damp skin. It is best to apply it after taking a bath or shower. The skin will absorb the nutrients and vitamins more deeply.
Soothe your skin by adding a few drops of sunflower oil in your bath water.
It can be used in aromatherapy.
Before using sunflower oil, consult your doctor for allergies or allergic reaction to it. You can perform a patch test on the back of your ear. If you experience itching or redness, do not use internally or externally.
