The sunflower plant is not just beautiful to look at. The plant can be pressed down to an oil and used for many different things. One of our favorite ways this plant is used? Sunflower oil for skin!
We’ve got the scoop when it comes to sunflower oil and your skin. Find out exactly how to use it and the benefits you can expect, and while you’re at it, discover some basic skincare tips. Let’s get started.
Sunflower Oil In The Making
Sunflower oil is made from — you guessed it — the Sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). It’s most commonly found in North and South America. There are actually a couple of ways to make sunflower oil, only one of which is healthy for your skin.
The first method is cold-pressing. This is when the seed is cleaned, ground, and then pressed at a low temperature to extract the oil from the seed. This is the most healthy and natural way to make sunflower oil.
The second method still involves the seed being pressed, but it also involves using chemicals in the process instead of using a colder temperature. When shopping for sunflower oil, always look for organic, cold-pressed oil (the label should tell you).
Sunflower oil is known as a healthy oil for cooking, but the benefits don’t stop there. Keep reading to discover the many benefits of using sunflower oil on your skin!
Benefits Of Using Sunflower Oil For Skin
Hydrates Your Skin
As a natural oil, sunflower oil is considered an emollient (something that adds hydration to your skin). Because of this, it helps your skin absorb moisture, which is super important for the overall health of your skin.
As a result, sunflower oil is ideal for those with sensitive skin. If you or your baby has sensitive skin, try Mustela Baby Oil. It gives your little one’s skin a boost of hydration, but the real cherry on top is that sunflower oil is one of the active ingredients!
Before you apply the baby oil to your baby’s skin, rub it between your hands to warm it up a bit. Then gently massage your little one with the oil for lasting hydration. Repeat as needed.
Removes Dead Skin Cells
Throughout the day, your skin is exposed to a lot: the sun, dirt, and bacteria...just to name a few. Over time, all of this buildup can clog your pores.
Using sunflower oil will actually clear your clogged pores of dead skin cells. As a result, your pores will be clear and your skin will look and feel fresh and clean!
Reduces The Appearance Of Wrinkles
As with most naturally derived and plant-based ingredients, sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are super important for the health of your skin.
To start, they help your skin lock in much-needed moisture. This gives your skin a healthy appearance and reduces wrinkles and fine lines, which can easily creep in if your skin isn’t hydrated properly.
What’s more, sunflower oil can continue to protect your skin against any further damage and signs of aging. We call that a win!
Soothes And Calms Skin
If you or your baby has sensitive or dry skin, you’re no stranger to the redness that follows. Luckily, sunflower oil can temporarily help calm skin.
For extremely dry or eczema-prone skin, try our Stelatopia Emollient Balm or Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream. They help replenish, soothe, and restore your baby’s skin. These benefits are partly thanks to the sunflower oil they contain.
As you’ve discovered by now, sunflower oil is gentle enough even for those with sensitive or mature skin. And since it’s a natural ingredient, it’s much less likely to cause a reaction.
For your baby with sensitive skin, you can also try our Soothing Moisturizing Body Lotion to protect and relieve their skin while giving it long-lasting moisture!
And, finally, try our Bust Firming Serum if you’re a new or expecting mom. Made with sunflower oil, it helps tone your skin to leave it looking and feeling firmer!
Protects Your Skin
As we mentioned earlier, your face and skin can get pretty dirty throughout the day. This statement rings true especially for little ones! The good news is sunflower oil can help protect skin from the daily buildup of dirt and bacteria.
Another way to protect your baby’s skin — and yours! — is to apply sunscreen every morning. Our SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick is also made with sunflower oil gentle, broad-spectrum SPF 50 sun protection for babies, children, and the entire family.
How To Use Sunflower Oil For Skin Care
If you’ve read this far and are ready to try sunflower oil for skin care, your first order of business is to look for it as an active ingredient in your and your baby’s skincare products.
That said, you can also use sunflower oil by itself as a moisturizer, cleanser, or make-up remover. Here’s how!
Moisturizer
To use sunflower oil as a moisturizer, add a few drops of it to your (clean) face and gently massage it into your skin. To wrap up your morning skincare routine, apply our SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick.
Cleanser
To clean your face without all the harsh ingredients of standard cleansers, simply place a few drops of sunflower oil in your hand and gently rub it all over your face. Wipe your face clean with a damp cloth.
Make-Up Remover
If you need to remove make-up, add a few drops of sunflower oil to a cotton ball. Glide the cotton ball over your skin, and then rinse your face with warm water.
Then you’re free to proceed with the rest of your skincare routine: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (in the morning).
Other Skincare Tips For Your Family
Now that we’ve covered the amazing benefits of sunflower oil for skin and how best to use it, let’s talk about some skincare tips to help you get the most out of your products and routine.
First, always use products that are made with natural ingredients. Using natural products is not only good for your adult skin, but it also gives your baby a good start to healthy skin.
When searching for the right type of skincare products — whether it’s shampoo, diaper rash cream, wipes, or lotions — avoid these ingredients:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Phenoxyethanol
- Formaldehyde
- 1,4-dioxane
Instead, look for these ingredients:
- Sunflower oil (of course!)
- Water
- Beeswax
- Zinc oxide
- Avocado Perseose
- Glycerin
It’s important to know your skin type, but also know your baby’s skin type. This will help lead you in the right direction so you can give your skin, or your baby’s skin, the best treatment based on your individual skincare needs.
The good news is we have something for every skin type! Check out our skincare collections for normal skin, dry skin, very sensitive skin, and eczema-prone skin.
Help Your Skin Bloom With Sunflower Oil
Just as a sunflower blooms in the right environment, so can your skin when you give it the right treatment and products! Let’s recap.
Sunflower oil for skin is the ideal addition to your routine. The many benefits of using sunflower oil on your skin include hydrating, calming, protecting, and soothing it. It also helps to remove dead skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
You can use sunflower oil on its own as a moisturizer, cleanser, or make-up remover. But also look for it as an active ingredient in your and your baby’s skincare products.
Remember: when shopping for products with sunflower oil, make sure it’s organic, cold-pressed oil. Additionally, keep in mind our list of ingredients to avoid and which ones to look for.
Finally, know your skin type as well as your baby’s skin type. From there, you can give your skin the best care based on your specific skincare needs.
And don’t forget that Mustela has something for every skin type, including gentle and effective products made with soothing sunflower oil!