| What is it? |
A yellow liquid oil pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. |
| Appearance |
Pale yellow liquid oil. |
| Texture |
Smooth, liquid oil. |
| Scent |
Low scent, typical of carrier oils. |
| Absorbency Speed |
Fast |
| Solubility |
Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? |
It’s a great, versatile, carrier oil that’s great in lotions, body butters, salves, lip balms, and more. |
| Do you need it? |
Sunflower oil is a great choice for so many projects and is so inexpensive that I think it’s a great thing to have in your DIY pantry. I especially like sunflower oil because it is rich in linoleic acid and has been shown to be beneficial for irritated and sensitive skin. “Sunflower seed oil preserved stratum corneum integrity, did not cause erythema, and improved hydration in the same volunteers.” (source) |
| Refined or unrefined? |
I use refined and like it. |
| Strengths |
A great, versatile carrier oil that’s rich in linoleic acid and vitamins A, B, D and E. An excellent, inexpensive choice for skincare due to the fatty acid composition. |
| Weaknesses |
I can’t think of many! It’s widely available and studies have shown it has great skincare benefits, especially when compared to oleic-acid rich oils like olive oil. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions |
I’d recommend sticking with other fast-absorbing, low-scent carrier oils that are rich in linoleic acid and low in oleic acid. Good options include grapeseed oil, safflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, corn oil, cotton oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, and watermelon oil. |
| How to Work with It |
Include sunflower oil in the oil phase of your formulations. It can be hot or cold processed, as required by the formulation. |
| Storage & Shelf Life |
Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, sunflower seed oil (USA / Canada / UK / NZ) should last up to two years. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks |
It’s very high in Linoleic Acid, which is a fatty acid that’s been found to be highly beneficial to troublesome skin (acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.). |
| Recommended starter amount |
250mL (8fl oz) |
| Where to Buy it |
Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
Some Formulations that Use Sunflower Oil
