Skin Care Protect Dry Skin With Nourishing Sunflower Oil

With easily recognisable flowers that follow the sun's course throughout the day, sunflower oil is a culinary staple. The oil is extracted from the plant's seeds and is rich in health-boosting polyunsaturated fats. Its cosmetic uses are less well known and, obviously, the extracted oil needs to be top quality for it to have maximum effect. Packed with antioxidant omega 6 as well as vitamins E and F, sunflower oil softens and nourishes skin. Here are some ways in which this humble oil can help your skin.

1. Nourishes dry and dehydrated skin

Sunflower oil's emollient properties help skin to retain its moisture levels, making it great for dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin. Bursting with fatty acids and vitamins, it hydrates skin without leaving it greasy. Its fluid consistency means it can be used to massage baby skin. It leaves behind a protective barrier that guards against potential skin infections.

2. Calms irritated skin

Rich in carotenoids and vitamins A, C and D, sunflower oil soothes and protects skin. It treats acne and calms eczema, inflamed or irritated skin. Light and non-greasy, it's quickly soaked up by skin without blocking its pores.

3. Fights signs of ageing

Sunflower oil has a high vitamin E content. This natural, anti-ageing antioxidant scavenges on free radicals and reduces cellular damage caused by too much sun. Its winning antioxidant, vitamin and fatty acid combo slows down the skin ageing clock to keep lines, wrinkles and age spots at bay.

Now that you know the different benefits of sunflower oil, here is how you can incorporate it in your skincare routine. Sunflower oil can be used neat or blended with skincare treatments and essential oils. Our tip: go for a cold-pressed, certified organic oil. And once opened, store it in the fridge. For a skin-brightening homemade mask, mix two tablespoons of (preferably organic) sunflower oil with a small, de-seeded, mashed up melon. Apply and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Restructuring melon combined with sunflower oil's regenerating antioxidants will instantly give you a healthy glow!