Nothing says summer like a fresh face of healthy, sun-kissed skin. Another sign of summer is the blooming of sunflowers. In fact, the two may be more connected than you realize.
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual summer bloom native to North America known for its towering stalks and bright yellow petals. These flowers produce spirals of up to 2,000 seeds which are often salted and enjoyed as a popular snack but can also be used in different culinary applications. What you may not know about these tasty seeds is that they contain a natural oil loaded with nutrients and they are extremely beneficial for your skin.
Nature is at the core of everything we do at Yon-Ka Paris. Natural plant extracts like sunflower seed oil are what make Yon-Ka Paris products so effective. Read on to learn more about the benefits of sunflower seed oil and why you’ll find it in so many of our popular products.
Sunflower oil, as you may have guessed, is derived from the sunflower, Helianthus, a genus of plants comprised of around 70 different species. The name sunflower or common sunflower typically refers to Helianthus annuus, one of the largest cultivars grown as a crop for its edible fruits and oils. It is also used as livestock forage, wild bird food, and in some industrial applications.
Sunflower seeds were first brought to the Americas by the Europeans in the 16th century. The oil extracted from the seeds is often used in cooking and as a carrier oil in aromatherapy applications. Depending which cultivar the oil is derived from, it contains different fatty acid compositions.
Used by Native Americans in everything from bread and medicinal ointments to body paint and dyes, sunflowers were also traditionally planted on the northern edge of the garden as a companion to the “three sisters” (corn, beans, and squash). They were also valued for their allelopathic properties. Sunflowers produce certain biochemicals that influence the growth and reproduction of other crops.
Though most commonly used in cooking applications, sunflower seed oil has a number of cosmetic applications as well. Often used as an emollient, sunflower oil has nourishing and reparative properties.
Though vitamin E is the predominant nutrient in sunflower oil, it is also rich in both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to the British Pharmacopoeia, the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil is 5% palmitic acid, 6% stearic acid, 30% oleic acid, and 59% linoleic acid. Additionally, several varieties of sunflower have been selectively bred to alter their oleic and linoleic acid content.
These sunflower oils are categorized by their fatty acid concentration into four types:
The unsaturated fatty acids in sunflower oil are extremely beneficial for heart health. This type of fat is well metabolized in the liver which may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels – this may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sunflower oil may also offer laxative properties to ease digestion, antibacterial properties for oral health, and chemoprotective properties against cancer.
In topical applications, the vitamin E content of sunflower oil offers strong antioxidant properties which may help treat skin problems like acne and eczema. The linoleic acid content may also accelerate the recovery of the skin barrier which plays an important role in skin health.
Here are some of the skin benefits of sunflower oil:
Sunflower oil is easy to come by, but the oil you find at your local grocery store may not be the best choice for your skin. Though it may be non-comedogenic and highly absorbent, applying it directly to your skin may leave you feeling a little greasy. Instead, choose a skincare product formulated with sunflower oil as a key ingredient with other inclusions to maximize its benefit.
All Yon-Ka Paris products are inspired by nature, designed to treat, heal, and restore the skin through the power of bio-active plant compounds. Sunflower oil is an important ingredient in many Yon-Ka products including moisturizers, healing elixirs, and facial oils. We use Helianthus annuus seed oil for its rich vitamin E content and other skin supporting benefits.
Here are of Yon-Ka’s most popular products featuring sunflower oil:
To experience the nourishing benefits of sunflower oil for yourself, consult the Skincare Advisor to be paired with the perfect Yon-Ka product for your skin type or stop in to your local Yon-Ka Paris spa partner for custom skincare advice. At Yon-Ka Paris, we strive to help you achieve your skin goals, so you look and feel your best not only this summer, but all year long.
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A very interesting read on the benefits of Sunflower seeds. I have been using True-Elements Raw Sunflower Seeds and they are really good. Thank you for the information that you provided.