Ingredient decoder

Sunflower seed oil: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Acne verdict Fine

Not a known pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic0 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Light, barrier-friendly oil that softens and protects skin.

  • Moisturizer
  • Emollient
  • Masking
  • Skin conditioning

Sunflower seed oil in plain English

Sunflower seed oil is a common, gentle emollient that helps skin hold on to moisture and has been studied for supporting the skin barrier. Standard sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid, while some high-oleic varieties are also sold. Some people with acne-prone skin prefer lighter, linoleic-rich oils, though the evidence for that is limited.

Is sunflower seed oil bad for acne?

Not based on the evidence we have. Sunflower seed oil is not a known pore-clogger: it scored 0 out of 5 in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test of the raw ingredient. Our checker rates it as fine for acne-prone skin, so judge by how your own skin reacts.

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Also called

  • Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
  • Sunflower oil
  • Helianthus annuus seed oil

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Frequently asked questions

Is sunflower seed oil comedogenic?

Sunflower seed oil scored 0 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does sunflower seed oil do in skincare?

In short: light, barrier-friendly oil that softens and protects skin. In formulas it is used for emollient, masking and skin conditioning.

What else is sunflower seed oil called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, sunflower seed oil can also appear as Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sunflower oil or Helianthus annuus seed oil.

Sources