Safflower oil, cosmetic use

Safflower, scientific name Carthamus tinctorius, is a plant belonging to the Asteracae family and native to the East. It may be used as a substitute of saffron since these two spices are similar. From the seeds of safflower an oil with interesting healthy and cosmetic properties is obtained. In this post we will focus our attention on the benefits that safflower oil may bring to the beauty of hair and skin. Safflower oil contains indeed a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid in a percentage close to 70%, and monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid in a percentage of 10%, we can also found, in a lower quantity, palmitic and stearic acids (Tzu-kai et al, Int J Mol Sci, Jan 2018). Moreover, this plant based oil is also a source of antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenols, useful to counteract the aging processes and to protect the skin from the damages caused by sun rays (Domagalska et al, Cosmetology today, 2010). This composition makes the safflower oil a product characterized by anti inflammatory, soothing and moisturizing properties, it is considered able to improve the balance of nutrients and the hydration level of the skin barrier by avoiding desquamations and by making the skin soft and silky (Tzu-kai et al, Int J Mol Sci, Jan 2018). It has also a light texture and it is easily absorbed without any grease effect. Given these properties safflower oil is a very versatile product suitable for different types of skin. Thanks to its moisturizing and anti aging action indeed it is able to nourish dry and mature skin, because of its soothing and anti inflammatory properties it results instead effective in case of sensitive skin, red skin and with couperose but also acne prone skin, it will help rebalance the production of sebum without clogging the pores. But the properties of safflower oil don’t end there, in fact, on the basis of scientific studies, this oil shows a whitening action since it acts on the synthesis of melanin, the pigment that colors the skin (Khalid et al, Trends in Food Science and Techonolgy, 2017). For this reason, you can use safflower oil in case of dark skin spots, scars and blemishes. Finally, it is also considered a good carrier oil for essential oils and for this reason it may be used as an oil to perform massages. You can include safflower oil in your DIY formulations for face creams or you can apply it as a serum in the evening before your daily cream. As a serum you can use safflower oil pure or mixed with argan oil for a powerful rejuvenating, lightening and regenerating action. The oil is easily absorbed and thus it may be applied on damp scalp, leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash with your shampoo. This will help counteract dry and brittle hair in addition to fighting against dandruff. Next time we’ll see the properties of safflower oil as a food and seasoning, keep on following us!