We all know fine wine only gets better with age. But what if components of wine, like grape seeds, could actually slow signs of ageing? It just so happens other ingredients extracted from grapes are giving wine a run for its cork – at least in the skin care realm. Grapeseed oil is one such ingredient!
What is grapeseed oil, and how can it help maintain healthy skin? Today we’ll celebrate our newest skin care launch with a highlight on their key ingredient. Our Intensive Nourishing Oil and Intensive Nourishing Balm both feature grapeseed oil benefits in a starring role!
Let’s toast to a new way to enjoy grapes!
What is Grapeseed Oil?
Cheers if you guessed grapeseed oil has something to do with vino! Vitis Vinifera Oil, commonly known as grapeseed oil, is extracted from the tiny seeds of grapes. It has a silky texture, and will have a light yellow-green colour.
Grapeseed oil packs a powerful punch thanks to natural stores of antioxidants and skin-promoting compounds. High amounts of omega fatty acids – especially linoleic acid – and vitamin E help maintain healthy moisture levels in the skin. Phytochemicals like proanthocyanidins offer serious benefits for UV defence, as studies have linked these compounds to prevention of skin cancer.
How Grapeseed Oil is Sourced
Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of winemaking. After wine is made by pressing grapes, tiny seeds are left behind. Grapeseed oil is then extracted from these leftover grape seeds using a cold-pressing extraction method. This process retains the natural skin-loving components of the oil, like omega fatty acids.
Though there are different methods of extracting the oil from the seeds, cold-pressed is best for skin care purposes. This ensures that the active ingredients – and the oil itself – haven’t been chemically altered. This helps to keep its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties intact.
10 Key Grapeseed Oil Benefits for Skin
While this oil is predominantly known for its anti-ageing and hydrating properties, we’re here to pop the cork and celebrate the seemingly endless grapeseed oil benefits and uses! Pure, undiluted, and cold-pressed oils can aid your anti-ageing routine and provide antimicrobial and healing properties.
Check out the top grapeseed oil benefits for your skin!
#1: Manages Blemishes
One of the top grapeseed oil benefits is that it’s high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that can help control spots and blemishes by decreasing clogged pores. Blemish-prone skin has been found to be deficient in linoleic acid – so adding more of this fatty acid to your skin via grapeseed oil can help to cut back on breakouts. It also rates as a very low 1 on the comedogenic scale, making it ideal for most skin types.
#2: Lightens Blemish Scars
Thanks to its vitamin E and linoleic acid content, grapeseed oil lightens skin discolourations like blemish scars and sunspots. Studies have shown that it can help speed up the healing process and decrease the formation of keloid scars: raised, enlarged scarring commonly caused by severe burns, cuts, or spots.
#3: Protects Against Free Radicals
Grapeseed oil is rich in many other superior compounds: beta-carotene, vitamins D, C, E, and polyphenols. These compounds have powerful antioxidant abilities, which can prevent your skin from absorbing the full damage of UV rays or other environmental aggressors.
#4: Moisturises and Balances the Skin
Grapeseed oil is chock full of vitamin E, which is excellent for locking moisture into the skin. This vitamin plays an essential role in softening and hydrating the skin’s outer layer. Meanwhile, its superstar fatty acid components fortify the skin barrier while smoothing and balancing the skin.
#5: Absorbs Easily
Grapeseed oil absorbs easily, delivering intense moisture without leaving skin feeling oily or greasy. Since this lightweight oil penetrates so well, it’s also a superstar ingredient for hair. When applied to your hair, grapeseed oil adds moisture, strength, and shine.
#6: Minimises Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Thanks to the polyphenols found in grapeseed oil, these gems help combat premature ageing and wrinkles. Along with fatty acids, grapeseed’s polyphenols also help to mitigate signs of premature ageing while boosting circulation. This oil also has natural astringent properties, making the skin look tighter and more youthful.
#7: Antimicrobial
Yet another one of the major grapeseed oil benefits is that its antimicrobial properties make it an ideal sidekick in your fight against breakouts. Its mildly astringent properties help reduce inflammation and control the inflammatory response of skin. The oil may be useful for inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or those who simply have sensitive skin.
#8: Evens Skin Tone
As we mentioned, one of the grapeseed oil benefits is that it contains a powerful antioxidant ingredient called proanthocyanidin. This antioxidant works on making the skin tone more even, and enhances brightness in the complexion. This oil is known to improve symptoms of melasma and hyperpigmentation when taken orally.
#9: Supports Collagen
Thanks to its vitamin E content, grapeseed oil benefits and assists in the production of collagen and improves skin tone. This mighty vitamin, along with proanthocyanidins, increases the restoration rate of collagen meaning firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
#10: Antifungal
Finally, grapeseed oil also has natural antifungal properties. That makes it a fantastic carrier oil for nail treatments. You’ll find grapeseed oil benefits in our Nail & Cuticle Oil. This nourishing oil also features vitamin E and jojoba to strengthen brittle nails and deeply moisturise. Blue tansy helps to calm redness and inflammation from fungus or hangnails.
