Safflower Oil in Skin Care: Benefits, Uses, and Safety

Safflower Oil in Skin Care

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is one of the oldest recorded crops in the world, with records dating it back to ancient Egypt. (7)

It is commonly used in as a cooking oil or supplemental ingredient in processed foods.

Additionally, safflower oil is one of the most common and versatile natural, clean ingredients in skin care.

It has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin lightening capabilities.

To find out if safflower oil is a good inclusion for your custom skin care regimen, read below and take our skin type questionnaire, then check out our full collection of safflower products here!

What kind of oil is safflower oil?

Safflower oil is composed mainly of unsaturated fats, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid, followed by a small concentration of beneficial phenolic compounds.

Even though it is derived from a flower, safflower oil is too thick to be considered an essential oil; it would be better classified as a carrier oil.

Carrier oils are used to hold together other ingredients and help deliver them into the skin.

There is a low concentration of saturated fatty acids in safflower oil as well, but it does not solidify into a creamy texture at room temperature.

What are the active compounds?

The fatty acid composition of safflower oil varies based on the region, weather, and processing of each flower, but for the most part it is principally composed of linoleic fatty acids. (2,3)

After linoleic acid, the second most common compound in safflower oil is oleic acid, followed far behind by the saturated palmitic and stearic acids.

The phenolic compounds like various flavonoids and carotenoids present in safflower oil have antioxidant properties as well as antimicrobial abilities.

The most significant feature of safflower oil’s chemical composition is that it contains a higher concentration of linoleic acid on average than any other common plant oil used in skin care.

There are other oils on the skin care market with very similar features to safflower oil, but none of them are quite as potent hydrating, anti-inflammatory linoleic acid.

What does linoleic acid do?

Most of the benefits attributed to safflower in skin care oil can be traced back to its linoleic acid content.

The main beneficial properties of linoleic acid are that it aids in hydrating the skin, soothes inflammation, repairs the skin barrier, contributes to TEWL reduction, and stimulates essential fatty acid synthesis in the skin.

Linoleic acid helps moisturize the skin by facilitating the production of ceramides, structures in the epidermis which are critical to skin barrier health and help the skin hold water.

Linoleic fatty acids provide crucial lipids required for skin barrier repair and protection.

When your skin barrier is healthy and protected, less water is lost from your skin through evaporation or other means.

It is able to treat inflammation because the body uses linoleic acid to produce gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which then produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. (5)

Benefits of safflower oil

Benefits

Safflower oil has many significant benefits which have lead it to being one of the most common and popular ingredients in skin care.

It is most commonly used for its moisturizing and occlusive properties.

Some of the most notable benefits of safflower oil are: (1-8)

Anti-aging

Antibacterial

Antifungal

Anti-inflammatory

Antioxidant

Emollient

Moisturizing

Occlusive

Skin lightening

Side-effects

Safflower oil does not have any notable side-effects on the skin.

If you are allergic to safflower as a food additive, you are likely allergic to it as a skin care ingredient as well.

Is it safe?

The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Panel evaluated the data on plant based oils including safflower and stated that they were safe. (15,16)

Safflower oil has an EWG safety rating of “1,” which means there are no common concerns associated with usage of safflower oil.

Safflower oil is considered a clean ingredient.

It contains hardly any comedogenic fatty acids, which means it is not likely to clog the pores of acne prone skin.

It has been used as a cosmetic and food additive for centuries (6) and many studies have found it safe from concerns.

Which types of skin care products contain safflower oil?

Uses

Safflower oil is most commonly used in skin care for its moisturizing and occlusive properties.

There are many kinds of occlusives, and they are used for treatments like “skin slugging.”

Safflower oil has many appreciable benefits and so few risks of side-effects, so it can be found in products designed to treat various skin concerns such as:

Acne

Dry skin

Dark spots

Eczema

Melasma

Scalp inflammation

Wrinkles

Oils in general are not always right for everybody’s custom skin care regimen, so be careful when adding an oil to your routine.

Acne

Safflower oil is not considered a particularly comedogenic ingredient, although it is not free of comedogenic fatty acids altogether.

Even though it is slightly comedogenic, safflower oil is also antibacterial, which means it can help eliminate acne causing bacteria on the skin.(4)

If you use safflower oil on extremely sensitive skin, there is a decent chance it can clog your pores.

Oily skin does not usually need to add oil as a part of their routine.

To find the right skin care products for your acne routine, take our quiz and shop by your Baumann Skin Type!

Take the Quiz

Safflower oil for dry skin

Safflower oil is one of the most common oils used in treatments of dry or inflamed skin.

Its primary constituent, linoleic acid, has anti-inflammatory capabilities, leads to the production of hydrating ceramides in the skin, and repairs the skin barrier. (6)

These qualities mean safflower oil is a great choice in the treatment of conditions like eczema or pruritus.

Even though oleic acid is present in safflower oil, and is usually not good for extremely dry skin, the rest of the active compounds in the oil basically cancel out the oleic acid’s negative effects.

For skin lightening

Many products designed to treat dark spots or hyperpigmentation in general contain safflower oil.

Since safflower oil is mainly made of unsaturated fats, it is considered a weak tyrosinase inhibitor.

In addition to its fatty acids, there are a few compounds in sunflower oil that, when isolated, are considered nearly as potent at stopping melanin production as arbutin, a common skin lightening ingredient. (9)

Products designed to treat various kinds of hyperpigmentation such as melasma, sun damage, PIH, and freckles all might include safflower oil as an ingredient.

Safflower oil will worst best as a treatment for dark spots when combined with PAR-2 blockers, tyrosinase inhibitors and other skin lightening ingredients such as cysteamine.

Wrinkles

Safflower oil contains antioxidant polyphenolic compounds which are good at scavenging free radicals which cause aging and wrinkles on the skin. (4)

Safflower oil is not a particularly potent anti-aging ingredient, however can be good to use alongside retinoids or other ingredients that pose a risk of irritation.

Since safflower is anti-inflammatory, it can mitigate undesirable side effects from other ingredients having to do with barrier irritation or skin dehydration.

Overall, it can be used as an ingredient in anti-aging regimens, but its individual aptitude as an anti-aging ingredient is not very high. It must be used alongside other ingredients to demonstrate any real anti-aging effects.

Safflower oil for hair care

For hair care

Since safflower oil is rich in hydrating, barrier repairing linoleic fatty acids, it can be great for repairing the scalp and hair follicles.

If you are experiencing inflammation on the scalp, safflower oil can be great for reducing irritation and treating it.

It is a thick, occlusive oil, which means overuse can result in heavy and greasy hair.

When you have greasy hair, there is a chance you can develop acne on your hairline.

Avoid overuse of safflower oil or other oils in your hair to avoid hairline acne.

As massage oil

Safflower oil is one of the best massage oils you can use; it is rich in anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and moisturizing compounds that are usually great for the skin.

One study concerned with fatty acid absorption through baby skin found that safflower oil massages resulted in the highest final absorption of beneficial fatty acids. (10)

This research suggests that using massage oils with high levels of beneficial fatty acids or useful phenols like vitamin E and caffeic acid can result in the absorption of those compounds into the body.

Substitutes for safflower oil

Keep in mind that every ingredient has its quirks, so it can be hard to find exact substitutes; for example, no other plant oils have as much linoleic acid as safflower oil does.

That being said, if you have an allergy to safflower or perhaps extreme sensitivity to oleic acid, you might want other options.

If for any reason you’d like to avoid or cannot get your hands on safflower oil, here are some oils that share some characteristics with safflower oil:

Almond oil

Argan oil

Avocado oil

Evening primrose oil

Grapeseed oil

Rosehip oil

Sesame oil

Sunflower oil

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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