Everything You Wanted To Know About Grapeseed Oil

We all know that wine is divine, and the fact that it's loaded with antioxidants is a bonus. Here's Everything You Wanted to Know About Grapeseed Oil.

Grapeseed oil is a natural product made from the seeds of grapes that have been used to manufacture wine. Grapeseed has long been a popular ingredient in the wellness industry, but it's only just made its way into the beauty aisle.

Grapeseed oil, like our other favourite natural beauty essential, coconut oil, includes linoleic acid and antioxidants that are beneficial to the face and body.

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, or grapeseed oil, is a lightweight oil that is extracted from the seeds of grapes and as a skincare ingredient, it penetrates the skin quickly, leaving skin soft, supple, and moisturized. In a nutshell, it's a jack-of-all-trades substance with a light texture that absorbs quickly into the skin.

Grapeseed oil is well-known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but it also includes omega fatty acids and vitamin E, making it a popular ingredient in skincare formulations. The molecular structure of grapeseed oil, however, is its main strength. Proanthocyanidins, a type of polyphenol found in grapeseed oil, are very potent antioxidants, that have 20 times the antioxidant activity of vitamin E and 50 times the antioxidant power of vitamin C, according to studies.*

The benefits of grapeseed oil:

• Combats breakouts: Grapeseed oil is excellent for treating oily or acne-prone skin. It’s high in omega-6 fatty acid, which fortifies the skin’s barrier and helps to reduce water loss from the skin.
  
  
• Lessens redness: It's great for inflamed and red skin often associated with breakouts.
  
  
• Lightens scars: Grapeseed oil contains powerful antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids that work together to fade dark spots and lighten scars. Studies have shown that it can help speed up the healing process and decrease the formation of keloid scars.**
  
  
• Hydrates and firms: Grapeseed oil contains vitamin E and moisturizing fatty acids, it may help skin appear tighter and more youthful.
  
  
• Boosts collagen: Studies have shown that grapeseed oil can protect against sun damage and promote collagen repair.***
  
  
• Evens skin tone: As it contains the antioxidant proanthocyanidin, grapeseed oil may help to even out skin tone when used consistently.

The Best Products With Grapeseed Oil

Dermatologists Dr. Joshua Zeichner and Dr. Hadley King both recommend Schaf as an intensely hydrating multi-purpose cream. "It contains olive squalane for its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties, CoQ10 for its antioxidant properties, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin, anti-aging peptides to lift and firm, and niacinamide to help with tone and texture and improve the natural production of ceramides," notes King. "It also contains African shea butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E." Bonus: It's vegan and cruelty-free.

*Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070*Polyphenolics in grape seeds-biochemistry and functionality

**Kim BJ, Park JK, Kim BK, et al. Oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) inhibit procollagen type I secretion of fibroblasts. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2017;14(3):297-306. doi:10.1007/s13770-017-0038-1

***Hemmati AA, Foroozan M, Houshmand G, Moosavi ZB, Bahadoram M, Maram NS. The topical effect of grape seed extract 2% cream on surgery wound healing. Glob J Health Sci. 2014;7(3):52-58. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v7n3p52

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