Grapeseed Oil For Skin: Benefits, How To Use It, & Side Effects

Grapeseed Oil For Skin: Benefits And Uses

Grapeseed oil suits every skin type, including those with sensitive skin. It helps moisturize your skin, helps fight acne marks, limits sun damage, and may tighten the skin.

Using it in your skincare regimen regularly may help you achieve your desired skin goals. The oil is extremely lightweight and penetrates the skin easily. It is enriched with the goodness of vitamin E and omega fatty acids. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is a popular choice in skincare formulations (1). The oil is also rich in polyphenolic compounds like proanthocyanidins that further promote skin health (1).

A YouTuber provides a comprehensive review of premium grapeseed oil after a month of personal usage. Delving into the benefits of skin care, she emphasizes its efficacy in reducing acne, blackheads, and scars. As she aptly puts it, “I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin my blackheads on my nose are pretty much gone. I have also noticed a slight skin tightening (i).”

Trivia

Grapeseed oil has been used for over 6000 years for its health benefits. According to 14th-century literature, the King of Castile Sir Ferdinand IV used it to treat skin problems and protected its composition. He named it ‘royal oil’ or ‘oil of the throne.’

Let us now look at the benefits of grapeseed oil for skin in greater detail.

Benefits Of Grapeseed Oil For Your Skin

1. May Help Fight Acne

Acne occurs when skin gets clogged with sweat, dirt, and oil. It is more prevalent in those with oily skin. Grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid. It may repair the skin’s natural barrier and reduce the extent of water loss (1). The skin may recover from acne sooner when its natural barrier is strong. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

2. May Reduce Redness

The linoleic acid in grapeseed oil also offers anti-inflammatory properties. The oil helps soothe inflamed skin (2).

3. May Reduce Acne Marks

The antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids in grapeseed oil may help lighten acne marks and fade scars. The oil may also accelerate the wound healing process (3).

4. May Improve Skin Firmness And Hydration

The fatty acids in the oil enhance skin moisture levels. They also improve skin smoothness and texture. The vitamin E in the oil may firm the skin and also delay the signs of aging (1).

5. May Boost Collagen Production

The proanthocyanidins in grapeseed oil may promote collagen production. They also may help with wound contraction and healing (4). However, more research is warranted in this regard.

6. May Cleanse Skin Deeply

The anti-microbial properties of grapeseed oil help cleanse skin deeply. This cleansing action of the oil can also be attributed to its phenolic compounds (1).

7. Protects Skin From Free Radical Damage

The vitamins and polyphenols in grapeseed oil offer antioxidant action. This added antioxidant activity protects the skin from damage due to free radicals and other environmental aggressors (1).

8. Fights Hyperpigmentation

The antioxidants in grapeseed oil may help fight skin damage and reduce hyperpigmentation. They also may even out the skin tone. However, more information is warranted to further understand the mechanism of grapeseed oil in this regard.

The benefits of grapeseed oil can be attributed to its nutritional content. We will explore the same in the following section.

9. May Improve Skin Elasticity

Grapeseed oil, rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, is renowned for improving skin elasticity. Its potent combination of linoleic acid and proanthocyanidins aids in collagen synthesis, promoting skin firmness and flexibility. Regular application of grapeseed oil helps combat the signs of aging, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This lightweight oil also gets quickly absorbed, which makes it an excellent natural remedy for enhancing skin elasticity and maintaining a youthful complexion (5).

10. May Make The Skin Softer

Grapeseed oil has emollient properties that can contribute to softer skin. It absorbs easily when applied topically, moisturizing and nourishing the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Regular use of this oil reduces dryness and promotes a smoother skin texture, making grapeseed oil a natural and effective option for softening the skin (5).

Nutritional Information

Grapeseed oil is rich in fats in the form of omega-6 fatty acids. It also contains vitamin E and phenolic compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties. These include carotenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, among other antioxidants (6).

It is this particular composition of nutrients that gives grapeseed oil its benefits. There is no specific study to indicate the form grapeseed oil must be consumed in. Hence, the topical application of the oil on the face is just as popular as its oral consumption.

In the upcoming section, we will find out how best you can apply grapeseed oil to your skin to achieve results.

How Do You Use It?

Grapeseed oil can be used either as a standalone product or in combination with other cosmetic products. Cold-pressed grapeseed oil is ideal as it retains many of its beneficial properties despite the extraction process.

You may use grapeseed oil at night or in the morning. However, remember that, like any oil-based product, grapeseed oil would be the last step in your skincare routine.

Here is a sample skincare routine you can follow:

• Start by cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser.
• Pat your face dry and apply any water-based serum to your skin. Alternatively, you also can apply any oil-based serum containing grapeseed oil.
• Allow the serum to get absorbed completely and apply a moisturizer to your face.
• Top your skin with a few drops of pure grapeseed oil.
• End with a layer of sunscreen if you are following this routine in the morning.

You may even want to mix a few drops of grapeseed oil with your moisturizer or lotions for use on your face or body.

But before you start using the oil, you must be aware of its potential side effects.

Are There Side Effects And Risks?

As long as you are not allergic to grapes, there is no reason you should not try grapeseed oil.

However, if you are using it for the first time, perform a patch test prior to check for any adverse reactions. Apply the oil to your wrists or ankles and observe for 24 hours. Check for any allergic reactions.

Oral intake of grapeseed oil may be unsafe for people with certain blood conditions and those on blood-thinning medications (7). The impact of oil intake on breastfeeding and pregnant women is yet to be understood. Hence, stay safe and avoid use.

People use grapeseed oil for skin-related issues because of the various benefits to the skin. It helps fight acne, repairs the skin’s natural barrier, soothes inflamed skin, reduces acne issues, delays the signs of aging, improves skin smoothness, and promotes collagen production.

Pro Tip

Chemically-processed, commercially available grapeseed oil is made using solvents like hexane, a potential neurotoxin that can accumulate in the body and lead to health complications. Also, processed grapeseed oil may lose some beneficial properties when heated to high temperatures.

You can use it as moisturizing oil for topical application or consume it orally as a supplement. However, oral consumption of grapeseed oil may not be recommended for people with certain medications and blood conditions. Also, it is best to perform a patch test before you apply it topically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does grapeseed oil clog your pores?

No. Grapeseed oil is non-comedogenic and doesn’t clog your pores.

Is grapeseed oil or avocado oil better for the skin?

It depends on your skin goals. While avocado oil may help beat premature aging, grapeseed oil is known to brighten discolored skin.

How long does grapeseed oil take to tighten skin?

It depends on your skin type and condition. Grapeseed oil may take weeks or months to show results in terms of skin tightening.

Is grapeseed oil good for age spots?

Though the potency of grapeseed oil on age spots needs more scientific studies, its polyphenols may help fight premature aging and other related concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.

Can I mix grapeseed oil with essential oils?

Yes. Grapeseed oil is lightweight and easily absorbed into the skin. Thus, it is a good carrier oil that can be used with essential oils.

Can you leave grapeseed oil in the hair overnight?

Yes. It is safe to leave grapeseed oil in the hair overnight. The oil works as a deep conditioning treatment.

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Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP

 

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy. She has more than 25 publications in local and international journals to her name. She is passionate about public and patient education...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more