That sunshine-filled flower isn’t just nice to the sun. Sunflower oil does not only cater to your health but your skin and hair too! In this post, we are going to talk about the beauty benefits of sunflower oil and skin-loving recipes you can create out of it! Let’s move forward…
Contents
Health Benefits of Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil, highly rich in Vitamin E, is the non-volatile oil pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. Its main constituents are polyunsaturated fat, linoleic acid, the monounsaturated fat, and oleic acid.
It’s used in:
- Food Preparation
- Seed Meals
- Supplements
- Fuels
- Skin and Hair Care
- Used in Cosmetics and Medicines
Benefits Heart Health
Sunflower oil is known for lowering the probable occurrence of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases. It contains more than 80% of monounsaturated fats and lowers cholesterol levels and increases the levels of HDL, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, being rich in phytochemicals like choline and phenolic acid make it beneficial for the heart.
Helps in Dealing with Arthritis
In addition to improving heart health, sunflower oil can help reduce inflammation as well and has benefits for the immune system as well. Sunflower oil is especially helpful in curing rheumatoid arthritis.
Effective For Cholesterol Problems
Sunflower oil is useful in lowering the total cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL).
Improves Digestive Processes
Rich in laxative properties and monounsaturated fats, sunflower oil helps in improving the gut’s health and is easily digestible.
Beneficial in Fighting Against Cancer
It is particularly helpful in fighting colon, skin, uterine, and lung cancer and has been evidenced to include chemotherapeutic properties.
Deals with Hair Problems
It is advisable to use Sunflower Oil when dealing with frizzy hair as it has conditioning properties. It is also known for treating hair loss and increasing volume. It also protects the hair from harmful exposure to ultraviolet rays and stimulates hair growth.
Sunflower Oil Benefits for Skin Care
- Sunflower oil can be used as a massaging oil for the skin, which helps in improving the skin overall, and in particular, treats skin wounds and injuries.
- It is known for its usage in the treatment of acne.
- Being rich in Vitamin E, it has antioxidant properties and lowers skin redness and roughness. Vitamin E, coupled with Omega 6 fatty acids, benefits the skin through its anti-inflammatory properties.
- It is one of the best choices for people with oily skin to use. However, it is advisable to use cold-pressed, instead of cooking sunflower oil for skin benefits.
Ways To Use Sunflower Oil On The Skin
- As an Eye Cream: Suitably, sunflower oil can be applied under the eyes and left overnight for best results.
- Anti-Acne Cream: Sunflower oil is light and hence easily absorbed by the skin. Massage it gently on the skin and wait for the antioxidants to do their work.
- Anti-Aging Cream: Its application on the skin directly helps in moisturizing it and can also reduce the signs of aging by protecting the skin from the UV rays.
- Makeup Remover: High in Vitamins which serve as antioxidants, this oil can also be used to a makeup remover by putting a few drops of it on cotton balls.
- Moisturizer: One of its main constituents, Vitamin E, is today used in most beauty products. As it repairs skin and protects it from sun rays, it can be applied to the skin as a moisturizer before stepping outside. (Note: do not use it on wet skin, ensure the skin is dry and damp before applying.)
- Hair oil: Just like any other hair oil, you can use sunflower oil to massage your hair 30 minutes before showering. After washing them, you’ll notice frizz-free hair with a natural shine.
5 DIY Sunflower Recipes for Skin
1. Sunflower Oil Moisturizer
What you’ll need:
- Water
- Sunflower Oil
- Shea Butter
- Preservatives
- Emulsifying Wax
- Fragrance
How to make?
Take a plastic container and add water, preferably distilled, to it. Add the sunflower oil, followed by Shea Butter. Add melted wax to the potion and mix it well. In the end, add the preservatives and fragrance of your choice to it. Mix it again and let it stay for one day to thicken.
2. Sunflower Oil Freshness Spray
What you’ll need:
- Water
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Sunflower Oil
How to make?
Mix Aloe Vera Gel with Water well in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of sunflower oil to the mixture. Shake the bottle well. Add more aloe vera gel if required and shake again. Spray the prepared mixture on your face for instant freshness and skin benefits.
3. Sunflower Oil Lip Balm
What you’ll need:
- Petroleum Jelly
- Sunflower Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Beetroot Juice
How to make?
You need to first melt the vaseline and second, juice the beetroot. For juicing the beetroot, use a grater to shred it. Collect the shreds together and squeeze and take out the juice in a container. Following this, mix the beetroot and vaseline together along with a few drops of sunflower and coconut oil. Store the mixture and freeze for half an hour. As Sunflower Oil is rich in Vitamin E which protects the skin from damage directly caused by ultraviolet rays, and lips are often exposed to it and don’t contain the protective pigment melanin, this lip balm can help deal with the damage.
4. Sunflower Oil Anti-Acne Mask
What you’ll need:
- Honey
- Cinnamon
- Sunflower Oil
How to make?
Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon along with a few drops of sunflower oil and mix well. Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse and dry your face with a towel. All these three ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help in fighting acne. Applying this mask twice to thrice a week for a month for the best results.
5. Sunflower Oil Eye Mask
What you’ll need:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Vaseline
- Sunflower Oil
How to make?
Take a teaspoon of Vaseline, few drops of sunflower oil, and a tablespoon of Aloe Vera Gel. Mix well. Aloe Vera Gel reduces the puffiness around the eyes and Sunflower Oil has antioxidant properties. Vaseline helps prevent wrinkles by keeping the skin hydrated. Apply this under for eyes daily before sleeping for the best results. You can add additional Vitamin E capsules as well (optional).
What to keep in mind?
- High Caloric Amount: Along with the mentioned health benefits, sunflower oil should be consumed in limited or monitored amounts. The high number of calories can lead to one of the most prevalent problems of modern days, that is, obesity. Omega 6 and 3 that is present in it should also be consumed in moderation, hence, reinstating the emphasis on the moderate and wise use of sunflower oil. Anything that is in excess, even with its benefits, can be harmful.
- Look out for Allergies: It is always advisable to get yourself checked for allergies and intolerance, especially when dealing with consumption. Even with regards to skin and hair care, it is essential to see what kind of products suit you and then avoid the constituents of the products that lead to reactions. Skincare involves not only actively nourishing it with various products but also knowing your skin type and what treats it well.
- Lacks Certain Vitamins and Minerals: Despite being rich in Vitamins like E and A, it lacks other essential vitamins and minerals necessary for the body and health.
- Check out for Medical Conditions before Using: High consumption of this is known to increase insulin and blood sugar levels, which can be disastrous for diabetic patients. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using, as claimed by WebMD, to be on the safer side of things. However, it can be used to deal with stretch marks that occur post-birth.
Bottom Line
Sunflower Oil has both medicinal and cosmetic properties. It exhibits properties like softening, moisturizing, conditioning, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, all of which make it fit for its usage in various beauty products along with medicinal and health-enriching products.
It has numerous health benefits and is used in treating various skin problems to the extent that its usage has been found helpful as a precaution for skin cancer.
The usage moderately, in terms of internal health by fitting it on a diet, and externally by using various products that have sunflower oil as their ingredients can lead to a healthier, more beautiful self from the inside out.
