Grapeseed oil

What Is Grapeseed Oil?

       Did you know that many of the same oils you cook with can also be applied to your skin, such as to help heal dryness, sun damage and clogged pores? Grapeseed oil  is one such oil.

       Why is grapeseed oil good for your skin? It’s rich in polyunsaturated fats (also called PUFAs), which can help to fight inflammation and provide hydration, as well as the antioxidant vitamin E.

Benefits for Skin

1. Hydrates Skin and Reduces Dryness

      Skin dryness is a common problem among both children and adults due to causes including frequent use of hot water, soaps, detergents, and irritants such as perfumes, dyes, etc. These products can remove natural oils from the skin’s surface and cause a disruption in the skin’s water content, leading to dryness and loss in elasticity, as well as itching and sensitivity.

      Grapeseed oil vs. olive oil for skin dryness — which is better? Both are found in many natural/herbal skin moisturizers because they have similar effects and are well-tolerated by people with various skin types.

       That being said, some find that grapeseed oil has the same benefits as olive oil but is absorbed better, leaving behind less of a greasy residue. It also has a higher vitamin E content. This means it may be better for those with oily skin or who are acne-prone, since it’s less likely to leave behind a shine or to clog pores.

2. May Help Fight Acne

       grapeseed oil has mild antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help prevent accumulation of bacteria that can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. It’s also rich in phenolic compounds, fatty acids and vitamin E that may help heal scars or marks from previous breakouts.

Because it’s not a heavy oil and is appropriate for sensitive skin, it’s even safe to use grapeseed oil on oily skin in small amounts. For even stronger acne-fighting effects, it can be combined with other herbal products and essential oils such as tea tree oil, Rose water  and witch hazel.

3. Can Help Defend Against Sun Damage

        Is grape seed oil good for your face if you’ve developed sun damage? Yes; because it contains a number of antioxidants — such as vitamin E, proanthocyanidin, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, tannins and stilbenes — it may have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin E, for example, contributes to the beneficial effects of this oil because of its high antioxidant activity and protection of skin cells.

        Thanks to its ability to help defend against oxidative stress, applying grapeseed oil can improve your skin’s appearance and reduce minor signs of aging, such as loss of elasticity and dark spots.

       While it shouldn’t be used in place of regular sunscreen, there’s some evidence that plant oils like grapeseed oil and coconut oil  can offer some protection against UV radiation from the sun.

4. May Help Support Wound Healing

Although most studies researching  grapeseed oil’s effects on wound care have been conducted in labs or on animals, there’s some evidence  that when topically applied it can help with faster wound healing. One mechanism by which it works is through enhancing synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor which forms connective tissue.

It also has antimicrobial activity against pathogens that can cause infections in wounds.

6. Can Be Used As a Massage or Carrier Oil

Grapeseed makes a good, inexpensive massage oil for all skin types, plus it can be mixed with various essential oils in order to improve its effectiveness.

For example, combining it with lavender oil  can help to reduce skin redness and inflammation, while mixing it with eucalyptus oil  and applying to the chest can help reduce congestion.

It’s also possible to use the oil with peppermint, frankincense or lemon oil for purposes including to fight acne, tension headaches and joint pain when massaged into the skin.

How to Use

Here’s how to use grapeseed oil for skin moisturizing, tightening and more:

• For moisturizing your face — You can use grapeseed oil alone just like a serum, or mix a few drops into your favorite face lotions/creams. Try combining it with other skin soothers like aloe vera , shea butter, coconut oil or rose water. You can also use it to help remove makeup before cleansing your skin and then moisturizing.
• As a body moisturizer — Some people prefer to apply the oil while in the shower or just after, which helps to prevent a mess if you use a lot. However, even two or three drops can be used to hydrate small patches of dry skin.
• To treat acne — Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and then apply a small amount of grapeseed oil (start with several drops), perhaps mixed with acne-fighting essential oils such as frankincense or lavender. You can leave these oils on your skin, or use them to create a thicker mask that you leave on for about 10 minutes to seep in, then wash off.
• For massages — Warm the oil slightly in your hands before using anywhere on your body or scalp that you’d like (note: the oil is also great for hair, such as by de-frizzing and moisturizing your scalp).
• For skin tightening/anti-aging effects — Apply several drops over your whole, cleaned face before bed and again in the morning before heading into the sun. This works best when done daily, especially if you use other anti-aging essential oils  and ingredients like jojoba oil, pomegranate seed extract and frankincense oil. You can also gently dab a few drops around any dark circles under your eyes to help reduce puffiness.