When the leaves turn color in Hungary, the change in season marks the beginning of the grape harvest. Besides producing a delicious glass of Tokay, this harvest yields another product as well: grapeseed oil, a fat used for cooking and skin care. Although it may not be as buzzy as other types of fats, grapeseed oil has tremendous benefits for the skin and also for your diet, when used sensibly. Here are a few health benefits of grapeseed oil and how it can help you:

1. Excellent Source of Vitamin E

Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of winemaking- it’s pressed out of the grape seeds leftover after wine production. For the healthiest types, look for ones that are expeller – or cold-pressed – without the use of solvents to extract the oil. The fat produced is rich in Vitamin E, even higher than the levels in olive oil. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E helps protect the body from free radical damage that can result in cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

2. High Smoke Point

Grapeseed oil is favored by health advocates and also avid cooks – the main reason being its high smoke point. Smoking not only causes food to taste burnt and terrible, it releases harmful free radicals. A high smoke point means food that’s better for you and more appetizing – another health benefit of grapeseed oil.

Although Vitamin E levels and a high smoke point signal a healthy fat, grapeseed oil still needs to be used with some caution. This oil contains large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids which are, unfortunately, completely different from desirable omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 oils help prevent illnesses, from heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis to depression and baby development, but a high proportion of omega-6 in your diet causes inflammation which leads to chronic diseases. Although there are many benefits to including grapeseed oil in your diet, the high levels of omega-6 fatty acids indicates that you should use this oil in sensible amounts.

3. Improves The Look Of Skin

The Vitamin E in grapeseed oil not only enhances the diet, it can improve the look of skin as well. Its special qualities as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory element help with wrinkles, lines and dark spots. Because free radical damage attacks the skin and is a major cause of wrinkles and uneven skin tone, Vitamin E can be helpful in smoothing and evening out the look of skin. The oil is also an excellent ingredient for hydrating and improving the appearance of elasticity in the skin. According to Healthline, this 2010 study showed that grapeseed oil improved skin’s moisture, softness, and ability to bounce back.

Grapeseed Oil Benefits For The Skin

Knowing all the excellent qualities of grapeseed oil, we’ve incorporated this beautiful oil into Eminence Organic Skin Care products like Coconut Firming Body Lotion and Jasmine Tangerine Age-Defying Night Cream. Our award-winning Coconut Firming Body Lotion is enriched with coconut, shea butter and grapeseed oil, and it leaves the skin looking elastic and moisturized. For the face, the grapeseed oil in Jasmine Tangerine Age-Defying Night Cream revives the skin, so the complexion appears smooth and deeply hydrated.

On The Eminence Certified Organic Farm

Like many farms throughout Hungary, we grow beautiful grape vines which could be used for producing grapeseed oil for food and skin care. To keep these climbing plants healthy, we use traditional farmer’s tricks like co-planting grapes with the salvia plant, also called the pepper flower in Hungary. When you walk through the rows of vines on our farm, you’ll notice that the end of each row is marked with brightly colored salvia blooms. These flowers are susceptible to the same diseases as grape vines, like rot and mildew. By planting these flowers close to the vines, they act as an early warning system for fungal disease.

How do you use grapeseed oil – in your food or in your skin care? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on social media at Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest |LinkedIn | YouTube.