Why Your Skin Needs Sunflower Seed Oil  

Your favorite summer flower is the source of our favorite ingredient at Evereden. Sunflowers, known for their vibrant yellow petals, and long green stems, blooming in the dog days of summer, also produce an oil that is one of the most research-backed ingredients in skincare.  

Extracted from the sunflower’s nutrient-dense seeds, sunflower seed oil is not only recommended by pediatric dermatologists but also utilized by the World Health Organization as a topical treatment to decrease neonatal mortality thanks to a strengthened skin barrier.  

A baby’s skin is very thin, so whatever is applied to the surface of their skin can easily be absorbed into their blood stream. According to our Chief Scientific Officer at Evereden, Dr. Joyce Teng, “If we pay attention to skin barrier protection and strengthening from as early as 2-3 weeks, it can reduce the risk of developing eczema or atopic dermatitis, as well as other allergy symptoms by 50%.” Furthermore, “the use of molecular processed, high-quality extraction of sunflower seed oil is clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate damaged skin.” 

So, what is it?  

The sunflower was first cultivated by American Indian tribes circa 3,000 B.C. Tribes used parts of the sunflower plant to help soothe snakebites and to condition their skin and hair. The benefits don't come from the flower itself, but rather the oil extracted from within the seeds.  

At Evereden, we source our sunflower seed oil through suppliers in France that specialize in the production of the oil via a unique cold-pressed method. The cold-pressed method involves crushing the seed or nut and forcing out the oil, versus heating the entire ingredient at a high temperature which destroys most of its benefits. Using heat to extract the botanical oil produces more of it, but heat can degrade the ingredient’s nutritional quality.    

What are the benefits?  

Sunflower seed oil is high in antioxidants, and rich in a variety of vitamins, including E, A, C and D, which are not only helpful in protecting the skin, but also in moisturizing and soothing it.  

Moisturize: The emollient properties within sunflower seed oil help the skin retain its moisture while also imparting additional hydration. 

Protect: Rich in antioxidants, sunflower seed oil helps the skin maintain a healthy barrier, protecting skin cells from things like UV rays, pollution, and environmental stressors.   

Soothe: When used topically, the linoleic acid from the fatty acids, has anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial for dry skin conditions, like eczema.   

How should I start using this ingredient in my family’s skincare routine?  

With every product at Evereden, sunflower seed oil is the one key ingredient we keep coming back to. You can easily incorporate sunflower seed oil into your and baby’s routine through some of our best-selling products like our Soothing Baby Massage Oil (Great for mom and baby alike and made of over 50% of sunflower seed oil). And, as we continue to innovate with new products like our Ultra Light Baby Face Cream, we team this hero ingredient with other plant-derived super hydrators, like polyglutamic and hyaluronic acid, to form new ways to deliver good-for-skin hydration. 

When it comes to caring for your families, there’s no such thing as being too safe, exacting or thoughtful in creating skincare to ensure the healthiest future. Sourcing the finest ingredients, like sunflower seed oil, is the epitome of how we select plant-based ingredients backed by science to create safe, yet effective formulations for the entire family.