You’re all familiar with sunflower oil, no doubt one of your favourite cooking oils. But did you know it can also be used as a skincare oil to help your skin look its best? Rich in omega-6 (linoleic acid), omega-9 and vitamin E, it has plenty to offer. Discover its 5 skin benefits at a glance, then find out how to use it to care for areas prone to stretch marks.
Benefit no. 1 of sunflower oil: maintaining skin suppleness and cohesion
As mentioned above, sunflower oil stands out for its exceptionally high omega-6 content. But what acid lies behind this term? Linoleic acid! And this one is essential: the body cannot produce it on its own. Yet it plays a key role at the skin level: it forms part of the structure of cell membranes. Skin deprived of it can become dry, rough, flaky, and lose its elasticity. Applying sunflower oil therefore helps maintain skin cohesion, while soothing it in case of irritation. The skin is left more supple and resilient.
Benefit no. 2: strengthening the hydrolipidic film
To stay healthy, the skin relies on its natural protective mechanisms. The hydrolipidic film is one of them. A blend of sweat and sebum, this epidermal barrier helps maintain proper hydration in the deeper skin layers, while shielding the skin from external aggressors: sun, wind, cold, pollution, bacteria and germs. Sunflower oil is rich in oleic acid, an omega-9. Sebum is also composed of it, at around 30%. Applying sunflower oil therefore helps reinforce the skin barrier, and in doing so, helps maintain the skin’s hydration, so it stays supple more easily.
Benefit no. 3: an oil rich in vitamin E
Another strength of sunflower oil lies in its place in a face and body skincare routine. Indeed, it stands out for its high tocopherol (vitamin E) content, an antioxidant naturally present in the oil. It also contains sterols. Applied regularly, it nourishes the skin and helps it stay supple and comfortable in the face of everyday external aggressors (cold, wind, hard water).
The massage oil that helps prevent stretch marks from appearing*, during pregnancy and beyond
*User test on 21 volunteers over 3 weeks, based on participants' feedback.
- Why does it work?
Benefit no. 4: a multi-purpose oil
The lightweight texture, the excellent absorption, the dry finish, the pleasant scent and the affordable price of sunflower oil make it a true bathroom essential. It can be used as a nourishing oil to combat dry skin and hair, as a makeup remover, as a base for a bath oil, or as a massage oil. In this regard, it makes an excellent carrier for essential oils, which dissolve into it perfectly.
Benefit no. 5: caring for areas prone to stretch marks
It’s often overlooked, but sunflower oil has a well-deserved place in a care routine for areas prone to stretch marks. It helps soften, nourish and maintain skin hydration. When properly nourished and hydrated, the skin is in better shape to cope with stretch marks. Moreover, if stretch marks do appear, sunflower oil can be part of your care routine. It won’t make them disappear, but:
- it will help keep the skin comfortable where new stretch marks appear (often coloured, red or purple);
- it will help restore suppleness to the skin, helping it cope better with stretching;
- it will nourish the skin and help it stay comfortable and supple day after day.
How to use sunflower oil on stretch marks?
It can be used on its own or in synergy with other oils and/or essential oils.
- On its own, it can be applied with a daily massage to areas prone to stretch marks – typically the stomach, the thighs and hips, the buttocks, and even the bust.
- It can also be blended with another natural plant oil with a different fatty acid profile. Particularly worth considering: macadamia oil, perilla oil, shea olein or marula oil.
- It makes an excellent carrier for essential oils, and can be used to create a homemade stretch mark oil.
- Finally, it features in many stretch mark products, including our Stretch Mark Prevention Oil. Cellublue has combined 5 natural plant oils to create this protective elixir: sesame, avocado, jojoba, sunflower and olive. It lets you enjoy the qualities of all these oils in one simple step. This oil is formulated to be compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding, and to suit all skin types (stretch marks on young skin, dark and mixed-race skin) as well as all types of stretch marks (inflammatory, mature).
Is sunflower oil safe to use on your skin?
Applied to the skin, sunflower oil is a gentle, lightweight plant oil with a pleasant scent and a dry finish, which you can use every day on your body as well as your hair. A few common-sense precautions are still worth following: if you have sensitive or reactive skin, patch test it on a small area first, and choose a good-quality oil, stored away from heat and light.
If you have a known allergy or a skin condition, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (even when using a product formulated for these periods), or before combining it with essential oils, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Related articles
- What are the skin benefits of sesame oil?
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Useful categories: Stretch Mark Care, Stretch Mark Solutions.
The cream that helps prevent the appearance of stretch marks* and improve how they look
*Consumer test on 22 volunteers over 3 weeks, based on participants' feedback.
- Helps prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs and bust. Apply morning and night
- Three plant oils: macadamia softens, sunflower soothes and coconut holds in hydration
- Velvety texture: it absorbs easily and calms feelings of tightness
The gentle scrub that helps prevent the appearance of stretch marks* and preps your skin for care
*Usage test on 21 volunteers over 3 weeks, participants' opinions.
- Instructions for use
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