sunflower seed oil

Sunflower seed oil is a non-volatile edible vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus). It is primarily composed of triglycerides rich in unsaturated fatty acids—mainly linoleic acid (omega-6) and oleic acid (omega-9)—with smaller amounts of palmitic and stearic acids. There are several types based on fatty acid composition: high-linoleic, high-oleic, and mid-oleic. Sunflower seed oil is widely used as a cooking and salad oil due to its mild flavor and stability at high temperatures. It is also used topically for skin conditions such as eczema or dry skin because it helps maintain the skin barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss. The mechanism of action involves providing essential fatty acids that support cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol when substituted for saturated fats in the diet; it also supplies vitamin E, an antioxidant important for immune function and cell protection[1][3][8]. Topically, its anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to linoleic acid content[4][6]. Sunflower seed oil has been studied for potential benefits in heart disease prevention, cholesterol reduction, supporting immune response through essential fatty acids provision, improving skin barrier function in dermatological conditions like atopic dermatitis or eczema[1][3][5][6].

Other names

sunflower oilHelianthus annuus seed oilhigh-oleic sunflower oilmid-oleic sunflower oillinoleic sunflower oil