Sunflower oil – a light carrier oil rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E

Rich in linoleic acid

Classic sunflower oil consists of about 62% linoleic acid (Orsavova et al. 2015).

Rich in vitamin E

Contains mainly α-tocopherol, which helps protect the oil’s fatty acids from going rancid.

Sunflower

Obtained from the seeds of the sunflower, which is also grown in Europe.

Profile

INCI Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Plant Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Origin Grown worldwide, including Europe
Extracted from Seeds (cold-pressed)
Main fatty acids Linoleic acid approx. 62%, oleic acid approx. 28% (Orsavova et al. 2015)
Vitamin E α-tocopherol, approx. 33–59 mg/100 g (Shahidi & de Camargo 2016)
Texture Light, clear, fast-absorbing
Comedogenicity No reliable value; tables are based on the rabbit ear test
Active in detail

A versatile plant oil from sunflower seeds

Sunflower oil is obtained from the seeds of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Classic sunflower oil contains about 62% linoleic acid and naturally contains vitamin E, mainly α-tocopherol. In solid creams and lip care, it makes wax and butter smoother and spreads easily.

Discover products

Sunflower oil in our solid skincare

All products with sunflower oil
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Skin type check

How does sunflower oil feel on different skin types?

Sunflower oil is thin and spreads easily; how much film remains depends on the amount.

S
Stressed skin Top
A thin film of oil keeps rough areas supple, for example on hands and heels.
M
Mature skin Top
Mature skin is often drier; a thin film of oil keeps it supple.
T
Dry skin Top
In a small trial, sunflower oil kept the stratum corneum intact and improved skin hydration (Danby et al. 2013).
N
Normal skin Top
A light care oil for everyday use.
M
Combination skin Top
Sinks in easily; used sparingly, only a thin film remains.
Ö
Oily skin Mit Bedacht
Use sparingly; comedogenicity tables say little about your own skin.
Science & care

How does sunflower oil work on your skin?

Three properties that make sunflower oil a versatile carrier oil.

01

Linoleic acid

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid; the body cannot make it itself.

02

Vitamin E

Over 93% of the vitamin E in sunflower oil is α-tocopherol (Shahidi & de Camargo 2016); it helps protect the oil from going rancid.

03

Carrier oil

Dissolves and distributes fat-soluble ingredients such as essential oils within the formula.

Sunflower oil · Linoleic acid · Vitamin E
Use Cases

What can you use sunflower oil for?

Body oil

Light care after showering

Massage

A light massage oil with good slip

Make-up remover

Dissolves make-up as a cleansing oil

Balm base

A classic carrier oil in salves

Lip care

In our lip balms, including the one with SPF 15

Hand care

For stressed, dry hands

Active synergies

Sunflower oil pairs especially well with …

Typical partners for sunflower oil in solid formulas.

S
Sheabutter

Creamy and light: a typical base blend, for example in our lip balms.

Learn more
B
Bienenwachs

A classic balm base – wax + sunflower oil.

Learn more
Z
Zinkoxid

A mineral UV filter, together with titanium dioxide, in our SPF 15 lip balm.

Learn more
M
Mandelöl

Two light oils we combine in our lip balms.

Learn more
Terms

Glossary

Helianthus annuus
The scientific name of the sunflower.
Linoleic acid
An essential omega-6 fatty acid – important for the skin barrier.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E; as a natural antioxidant, it helps protect oils from going rancid.
INCI
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil – the official cosmetic name.
High-oleic vs. linoleic-rich
Two types of sunflower oil; the high-oleic type usually appears in the INCI as Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, as in our SPF 15 lip balm.
Cold pressing
Gentle extraction without heat – preserves vitamin E and other actives.

Magazine

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