Safflower oil is an ancient extraction with applications that range all the way from textile production to the culinary world. But some of its most impressive benefits include the ability to fortify the skin with nutrient rich moisture, while bringing it to a healthy equilibrium. And with an impressive track record that predates all of modernity, we are totally down for some safflower power.
Keep reading to learn more about safflower seed oil for skin, its benefits and how to use it for your skin.
IN A NUTSHELL
Ingredient Category: Emollient, occlusive
Main Benefit: Safflower oil offers your skin increased hydration, while pushing back against visible signs of aging.
Find It In: H2 Oh Yeah Hydrating Moisturizer, Crème de la Cream Brightening Moisturizer, and Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream.
What Is Safflower Seed Oil?
Safflower is an ancient, thistle-like crop, native to dry climates, with archaeological data tracing it all the way to ancient Mesopotamia and as far back as 2500 BC.
While safflower has gotten a lot of play throughout the years - having been used as a substitute for saffron, a source of brilliant dyes for fabrics, and even a key player in therapeutic and medical interventions - its colorless, flavorless oil has long been extracted for various purposes, including the formulation of skincare products.
Safflower oil is taken from the seed and is extremely high in linoleic and other fatty acids, which offer a full range of benefits for the look and feel of your skin.
Safflower Seed Oil Skin Benefits
It moisturizes.
Safflower oil helps to moisturize the skin in a variety of ways. First, it is an emollient, which means it softens and smooths the skin. It does so by delivering essential fatty acids and nutrients when applied. These are then absorbed into the skin, helping to fill any dryness-induced micro-crevices with moisture, softening the outer layer. This also helps to prevent excess dryness, while keeping your skin looking and feeling smooth and hydrated.
Safflower oil also acts as a mild occlusive. Occlusives create a thin, benevolent film when applied, which coats the skin and acts as a protective barrier. Occlusives seal in water and other moisture, prolonging hydration, limiting the absorption of irritants, and preventing dryness and damage that can come from exposure to harmful elements.
We have included safflower oil in both our moisturizers, H2 Oh Yeah and Crème de la Cream, as it will deeply hydrate while helping to grant you the softer, more illustrious complexion one can expect from the use of safflower oil.
It helps keep skin balanced and clean.
Imbalanced skin tends to behave in ways that can lead to jammed up pores, which make for a less-than-desirable complexion. The dense concentration of nutrients inherent in safflower oil naturally balances your skin’s oils. This helps to keep pores free and clear of problematic blockages that can interrupt the smooth skin you work so hard to maintain.
It can help skin appear more youthful.
High contents of linoleic acid within safflower oil can have age-defying effects. This powerful nutrient helps to promote suppleness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. With safflower oil also rich in vitamin E, it works to prevent damage that can come from environmental pollutants and elemental stressors, while simultaneously minimizing the appearance of dark spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation that can visibly “age” the skin.
With a generous dose of safflower oil in its mix of high-performing actives, it’s no wonder our Eyes Eyes Baby is an anti-aging hit. This best seller not only moisturizes and fortifies at the point of application but, with continued and consistent use, it brightens and illuminates the ultra-sensitive eye area and can prevent and measurably reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to Use
Safflower oil can be incorporated into your skincare routine in a variety of ways. It is a popular ingredient amongst manufacturers for not only its powerful benefits, but its accessibility and affordability. Many forms are not only colorless and flavorless, but odorless as well, making it a great addition to any personal care product. But searching the shelves for brands and formulas that feature safflower oil isn’t the only way to deliver its wide range of benefits to your skin.
Believe it or not, due to its popularity and high performance, safflower oil is now widely available in places where natural health and skincare products are sold. Grabbing yourself a high-quality, potentially organic bottle of cold-pressed safflower oil will likely cost you under fifteen bucks and the contents make a great base for DYI personal care products like soaps and lotions.
The simplest way to use safflower oil for your complexion, without entering the realm of commercial skincare would be to apply a few drops of diluted safflower oil (to dilute, you can add it directly to a carrier or buy one that is already diluted) to your skin. Start with doing so once per day as the last step of your nighttime routine. After giving your skin a week or so, try adding it to your morning routine as well, applying it just before any sunscreen or makeup. This will help further protect you from the sun, as well as seal in hydration.
Potential Side Effects
Safflower oil as a form of skincare is generally safe, non-toxic, and suitable for all skin types. But there may be limits to how much of this good thing is actually a good thing. It has been noted that high concentrations of safflower oil may cause skin irritation. Further, and in spite of the fact that it helps to keep pores clarified and clear, its occlusive properties can cause undiluted safflower oil to be mildly comedogenic. This means it can actually create clogged pores.
As always, it’s best to consult with your doctor before introducing new products or ingredients to your regimen. When trying safflower oil, also remember to stick to formulations that are not 100% undiluted, or be sure to dilute them yourself. Patch test your skin on a small, less-exposed area before applying to your whole face. Then proceed in moderation to receive all of its amazing benefits.
Safflower oil is a skincare powerhouse, offering a bounty of benefits for you and your complexion. Try incorporating it into your routine to reap the benefits.
