When it comes to health and wellness, do you often catch yourself searching for an elusive natural and unrefined product that will transform your skin, hair and overall health in one go? Sounds too good to be true, right? Fortunately, this product does exist, you just need to go back to basics.

Put an end to your unproductive searching and look no further than the humble sunflower – trust us, it’s more than just a pretty plant.

The benefits of sunflower seeds and oil are extensive and have long been used for their healing and restorative properties. But they’re not just beneficial for your skin, hair and overall health. Sunflowers also work wonders when grown in your garden. 

We’ve compiled the most compelling reasons why we love this striking plant, and the benefits of sunflower oil in skin care might just surprise you.

Sunflower Seed Oil For Youthful Skin And Luscious Locks

Sunflower oil, remarkably, takes care of two very different skin types at the same time. It’s high in linoleic acid (used to treat skin acne) but also high in oleic acids (to combat dry skin). 

It’s the job of linoleic acid to help protect the skin from bacteria and germs as well as balance moisture. Bacteria, germs and excess sebum are often the culprits for causing acne but, according to our International Trainer, Brian Goodwin, “sunflower oil acts as an occlusive moisturizer, which means it forms a protective barrier on the skin” and stops dirt and other nasties from making contact. 

On the flip side, sunflower seed oil also contains oleic acid, which is able to nourish dry, irritated and aging skin because it penetrates deeply into the skin’s surface and replaces lost moisture. “Sunflower oil also prevents trans epidermal water loss, meaning your skin is more likely to retain hydration,” says Goodwin, making sunflower oil a hydrating skin solution, without clogging the pores. 

We use sunflower oil in our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil to gently remove dirt and residue while purifying and hydrating skin.

Other beneficial ingredients in sunflower oil are antioxidants and vitamins, including Vitamins, E, A, C and D.

Vitamin E is easily absorbed into the skin and is effective at reducing UV damage to the skin. Vitamin A helps with generating new skin cells as well as smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. This is because Vitamin A can be converted to retinol in the liver, and retinol is our best friend when it comes to skin cell regeneration. We love Vitamin C for its ability to reduce redness and pigmentation while increasing collagen production for plump, supple and youthful skin. And Vitamin D ticks the other “skin care boxes” because of its healing and repairing capabilities. Vitamin D heals wounds, tames inflammation and effectively treats unpleasant skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne. 

To take advantage of these wonderful vitamins, we use sunflower seed wax in our Citrus Lip Balm, which helps the lips appear soft, plump and youthful.

The benefits of sunflower oil in skincare lead to clean, hydrated and more resilient skin and, luckily, have a similar effect on hair. Thanks to the linoleic and oleic acids as well as Vitamin E, sunflower oil protects hair from breaking, moisturizes an itchy scalp and relieves dandruff.  Sunflower oil is also very lightweight, so you’re able to apply it directly to dry hair and tame the frizz, without turning hair greasy. 

Mood-Boosting And Stress-Reducing: The Benefits Of Sunflower Seeds For Overall Health

Whether you add them to your cooking or to homemade trail mixes, sunflower seeds are more than just a versatile snack – they can boost your health in many surprising ways. 

Sunflower seeds are collected straight from the plant itself and are high in Vitamin E and linoleic acid (as you already know) plus selenium, magnesium and manganese.

These nutrient-packed gems help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol while also combating inflammation, which can lead to chronic illness. 

The high magnesium levels in sunflower seeds work to calm and relax your body, aiding in muscle recovery and helping you sleep more soundly. 

Sunflower Planting Tips To Supercharge Your Home Garden

While sunflower seeds and oil do a terrific job in supporting overall health, the sunflower itself can also work wonders in supporting your home garden. 

As we know from growing this plant on the Eminence Certified Organic Farm, sunflowers help make your soil healthier. They exude a natural chemical that keeps problematic weeds away. Sunflowers are also positive pollinators – they supply generous amounts of pollen and nectar to attract bees and for any avid planter, bees make a great addition to any garden. Finally, they’re also suitable for companion planting, which means you can grow them alongside squash, sweetcorn, melons and cucumbers, but be sure to distance them from potatoes or beans as the chemical that keeps weeds away will also ruin your other garden delights. 

If you decide to plant sunflowers in your garden, pick a nice, sunny spot with well-draining soil. Make sure they’re protected from strong winds and allow ample room for them to grow. 

Were you surprised by how many benefits are packed into one humble plant? We’d love to know how you use sunflower seeds and sunflower oil in your daily life and skin care. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or on social media.