Brigid Ingredient: Organic Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil's skin benefits are powerful. Used by ancient Mayans (who reportedly worshipped the sun, and used sunflower plants for food, medicine, and cosmetic use), sunflower oil is known as "the healthiest cooking oil known to mankind," sunflower oil is in a league of its own.
Primary Benefits of Sunflower Oil
- Softens and smoothes skin by filling in the gaps between skin cells, healing dry, chapped, or damaged skin, protecting it from further damage.
- Naturally contains antioxidant properties, including vitamin E. Topical use of vitamin E protects skin from aging due to environmental damage (sun, air pollution, and the physiological effects of stress hormones). Simply defined, it helps your skin purge damaged cells and regenerate new ones.
- Prevents skin dehydration by reducing water loss of skin, which leads to a dull appearance and laxity, which lead to loss of skin firmness, structure, and sagging.
- Anti-inflammatory effects that hydrates dry skin and can alleviate related conditions, such as eczema.
- Supports the skin's natural moisture barrier, thanks to linoleic acid that naturally occurs within sunflower oil in very high quantities. This acid is readily absorbed into skin layers, nourishing and protecting it from external stress (chemicals, weather, makeup). "Experts believe this is why sunflower oil is so beneficial for skin barrier protection and repair" (Kiehls). This benefit leads to a fresher and more glowing skin surface appearance.
Warnings and Precautions
- While sunflower oil is noncomedogenic (won't clog pores), it can be a source of contact dermatitis in those with certain nut or ragweed allergies. If you aren't sure, we recommend conducting a patch test.
- Sunflower oil is composed of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, which is fantastic for skin but means it can break down if not properly stored or worked with. We keep our temperatures low enough to not degrade the oils we use during production, but shipping and other factors may subject them to higher temperatures than is safe to keep the oil's properties intact. We have put our lotions with sunflower oil through many environmental tests with overall great success, however have noticed a darkening of color if left in the sunlight or UV light too long, so we recommend storing in a cool, relatively dark, dry place.
History
Originating in Central and South America, sunflower plants and oils were eaten and used by residents of the area, including the Inca and Aztec people. The ancient Mayans, who worshipped the sun as a primary deity, were especially fond of sunflower seeds and used the plant as a primary food source, utilizing the oil for cooking - as well as for conditioning hair.
Northern American tribes may have farmed sunflower as early or earlier than 3,000 BC, possibly before corn. When Spanish came to North America around 1500, they took sunflowers back with them, and by 1716, "an English patent was granted for squeezing oil from sunflower seed" (The National Sunflower Association).
European use of sunflowers as food began around the 16th century after the plants were brought from Central and South America, and only made into an oil around the 19th century. Derived from the seeds of the plant, this oil is full of fats and healthy natural ingredients. Russians first commercialized sunflower oil by producing it at large scale around 1830, which then spread into other European countries, then into Canada. Sunflower oil's skin benefits may not have been realized.
Sun Exposure Warning
Please exercise caution with all natural oil-based lotions when bare skin is exposed to the sun, as it can worsen the sun's effects. Sun tanning oils tend to include natural oils to increase UV rays - so do not use this unless that is your goal! Wear sunscreen with an appropriate SPF outdoors when it is sunny, not natural oil-based lotions.
