Today we demystify grapeseed oil and its benefits. We'll also show you the best ways to use it.
What is grapeseed oil?
As the name suggests, this oil comes from grape seeds. The seeds are crushed then mixed with a solvent to extract the oils. Some producers use the expeller press or cold-press method to create a healthier, solvent-free oil.
Winemakers usually throw out the seeds, since they don't need seeds to make wine. As such, the seeds are easily accessible and affordable for producers and consumers. As a result, grapeseed oil is more sustainable than some other oils like palm oil.
Grapeseed oil is extracted from the fatty part of the plant, whereas essential oils come from the non-fatty parts. Hence grapeseed is an excellent carrier oil.
At Sole Toscana, we use this oil as one of the ingredients in the ESPRESSO BRIGHT EYES CREAM.
What's in grapeseed oil?
Grapeseed oil has fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and more that help improve the health of our skin and body. In addition, it has low levels of saturated fat compared to other oils.
Here are some of the main nutrients and minerals:
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Grapeseed oil has lots of polyunsaturated fatty acids and high levels of linoleic acid. Acne-prone skin typically has low levels of linoleic acid, so including grapeseed oil in your beauty regimen may help.
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Grapeseed oil has powerful antioxidant properties. Its vitamin C and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes fight environmental stressors, resulting in less wear and tear on the skin.
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Flavonoids which lower the risk of heart disease by decreasing the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body.
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Vitamin E. This antioxidant protects you from environmental stressors and keeps your skin's damage to a minimum.
Uses in skincare
Grapeseed oil is used for various reasons within skincare. In addition to being used alone, combined with right formula of ingredients, it can do incredible things:
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Mitigates acne breakouts and clogged pores
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Evens out skin tone
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Protects the skin from environmental stressors
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Temporarily reduces the appearance of redness
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Tightens skin and the appearance of pores
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Can be used as a toner
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Intensely moisturizing
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Reduces the appearance of scars (because it contains vitamin E)
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An excellent makeup remover
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Reduces dark circles and puffiness under the eyes
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Makes skin softer and elastic
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Perfect for massage therapy
THE ESPRESSO BRIGHT EYES CREAM uses grapeseed oil to help the delicate skin around the eye area achieve many of the purposes above.
How to use in skincare
Using this oil is easy. You don't need cotton balls, pads, or q-tips. Just apply it to the skin directly with clean hands. Pure grapeseed oil can be used directly on the face. Doing this at bedtime lets it sit and settle into the skin overnight.
You can also add it to your DIY cream, moisturizer or lotion.
Use grapeseed oil as the base for your DIY hydrating face or body mask when your skin feels dry.
We recommend starting with a spot test to check for any adverse reactions. Apply the oil to a specific spot daily. Do this for 4-5 days to make sure you don't develop a rash or reaction. After this time, apply the oil once on the first day, then increase frequency when you're sure your skin agrees with the product.
Other uses
Apart from skincare, here are other versatile ways you use the oil:
HAIR CARE
A hair mask made from this oil hydrates the scalp, thus promoting hair growth. It also reduces dandruff by keeping your scalp moisturized.
AROMATHERAPY
You can use it either on its own, or as a base to mix with essential oils such as sandalwood, lavender, and chamomile. Use this oil blend for a full body massage.
COOKING
The relatively high smoke point makes it great for sauteing. The oil's neutral flavor allows you to add in whatever flavors you desire without it overtaking the dish.
SEXUAL HEALTH
Grapeseed oil makes for a perfect natural lubricant.
Ingesting Grapeseed capsules is another option. They contain 80% proanthocyanidins, which increase libido.
Risks
We recommend that you consult with a medical professional before introducing pure grapeseed oil to your body, especially if not in well-formulated, certified organic products. If you're using other medications or supplements, the oil might react with them in unexpected ways. Side effects can include nausea, stomach upsets, headache, itching, and sore throat.
If used well, grapeseed oil can nourish any skin type and provide many incredible benefits. Make sure to buy only organic, cold-pressed, solvent-free oil varieties. The less processed it is the better.
You can find trustworthy grapeseed oil products at many stores including SOLE TOSCANA.
