The sunflower, a large, strong plant with heart-shaped leaves, has amazed us since childhood, with its flowers that turn as they follow the sun. The sunflower is a symbol of radiance. The Incas attributed magical properties to it and made it their royal emblem.

The sunflower was domesticated by the American Indians and the Mexicans, and its cultivation was introduced in Europe from the 16th century by the Spaniards.

Widely used for its benefits in cooking, but also for its medicinal and dermatological properties, the sunflower contains many active ingredients that are found in its oil, extracted by pressing its seeds.

Among the active ingredients that interest us in dermopharmacy and cosmetics, we highlight its richness in essential fatty acids and vitamin E: 

• Saturated fatty acids
  • Palmitic acid: 5-6%.
  • Stearic acid: 4-5%.

• Monounsaturated fatty acids
  • Oleic acid (omega 9): 26-32

• Polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • Linoleic acid (omega 6): 64-66
  • α-Linolenic acid (omega 3): very low concentration (0.05%)

• α-Tocopherols (vitamin E)

• Phytosterols

You will find it in your cosmetic and dermopharmaceutical products under the following INCI name: HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL.

However, it is essential to ensure the quality of the oil used. Sunflower oil must be virgin, cold-pressed, 100% pure and from organically grown sunflowers, as heavy metals and pesticides could be found in its seeds.

Note: Its low quantity of Omega 3 compared to its high concentration of Omega 6 makes the association of sunflower oil with flax or camelina oil (which are rich in Omega 3) very interesting.

Let's take a look at the many benefits and uses of sunflower oil for your hair!

Sunflower oil on the hair: what precautions?

Be quiet. You take absolutely no risk in using sunflower oil on your hair and scalp.
Sunflower oil is extremely gentle and suitable for all hair types or scalps, including the most sensitive scalps, of all ages.

What are the benefits of sunflower oil for the hair?

As we have seen in detail, sunflower oil is very rich in natural active ingredients: essential fatty acids, Omega 6 and 9, anti-oxidant vitamin E.... You will find it in many hair products, shampoos, conditioners or care.

Its discreet smell and texture as well as its "dry" sensation make it an oil of choice for hair care. Here are the many benefits of sunflower oil, depending on your needs and hair type:

Sunflower oil softens frizzy, curly or curly hair

On afro-textured, frizzy, curly or curly hair, the sebum naturally produced by the scalp cannot easily flow down your hair to coat and protect it. However, this fatty contribution is essential to maintain the hydration of the hair fiber. This makes your hair drier and more brittle.

Frizzy, curly or afro hair therefore has an important need for hydration and nutrition.

It therefore benefits particularly from the use of oils to keep it supple and vital.

Sunflower oil, very nourishing and quickly absorbed, is ideal to fight against frizz, to bring flexibility to frizzy hair and bounce to curly hair.

Sunflower oil nourishes dry hair

Rich in essential fatty acids, phospholipids and ceramides, but also in vitamin E, sunflower oil provides its benefits in depth. Repaired, your hair fiber is stronger.

Sunflower oil soothes the scalp and limits the appearance of dandruff

Sunflower oil has soothing and protective properties, but also helps limit the proliferation of bacteria. It visibly reduces itching of the scalp, red patches or dandruff.

Light and non-greasy, it is quickly absorbed by the scalp, without clogging the pores.

Sunflower oil stimulates hair growth

Sunflower oil provides all its nutrients and benefits to your scalp. Rich in essential fatty acids, it moisturizes it and keeps it healthy. Rich in antioxidants, it protects against free radicals that accelerate hair loss and slow down growth.

With a healthy scalp, hair growth is stimulated, and hair regains density.

Sunflower oil brings shine and softness to hair

Sunflower oil keeps your hair naturally hydrated. Moisturized and repaired, your hair stays healthy and strong. It is soft, shiny and healthy.

Sunflower oil is particularly interesting in winter, when your hair loses moisture and shine.

Its light texture helps maintain moisture without making your hair greasy or heavy. Hair is instantly soft and shiny, all-around lightness!

Sunflower oil repairs split ends

A light oil with a dry feel, sunflower oil easily penetrates the scales of your hair. It is therefore particularly recommended for repairing weakened, damaged or brittle ends.

It also has a preventive action: by providing its nutrients, sunflower oil prevents the appearance of split ends.

How to use sunflower oil on hair?

Sunflower oil, a real concentrate of essential natural active ingredients, is a real remedy for your many hair or scalp problems.

It visibly improves the health of the hair fiber and promises soft, shiny, supple and light hair.

 The many benefits of sunflower oil make it a great ingredient for hair cosmetics.

While most of the solid shampoos on the market use hydrogenated oils that are inexpensive and have no benefits for your hair, we would like to highlight the natural solid hair care brand Fossette Paris.

Fossette Paris is a French brand that has very well understood the importance of using noble ingredients in its hair care products and uses organic, 100% pure, cold-pressed sunflower oil of French origin for the products in its range. This brand has chosen to combine sunflower oil with linseed oil, rich in omega 3 and soothing, to obtain a perfect cocktail of natural active ingredients.

 We invite you to discover their Perfect Shampoo, their Silky Conditioner and their Essential Care Balm, which provide the right amount of daily care and are suitable for all hair types, even the most sensitive scalps!

 In addition to a gentle shampoo with noble ingredients, sunflower oil used as a mask brings its benefits for a real cure of intense repair.

Tip: If you have oily hair, apply it only to the ends of your hair.

 Use sunflower oil at a frequency adapted to the needs of your hair fiber. The reparation lasts over time and there is no need to overload your hair with nutrients.

For an intense repair phase on very dry or damaged hair, count on a treatment once or twice a week until total repair. It is not recommended to continue the treatment. You can then switch to a treatment once or twice a month as a preventive measure. For dull hair, 1 treatment every 10 days is sufficient.

Here are some suggestions for using pure sunflower oil for your hair.

Repairing mask with egg and sunflower oil

Dry, damaged, tired and dull hair?  Repair, shine and a strengthening effect guaranteed with this easy recipe made with egg and sunflower oil.

The egg yolk contains vitamins and minerals essential to hair: vitamin A, E, B, iron and zinc. These vitamins strengthen hair and scalp for healthy hair. The lutein contained in egg yolks also helps to strengthen brittle hair and repair split ends.

The combination with sunflower oil makes it a hair fiber repairing mask for a long-lasting effect, which slows hair loss and improves growth.

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg
• 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed organic virgin sunflower oil,

Double the amount for long hair.

Directions for use:

Separate the egg white from the yolk and keep only the yolk.

In a bowl, beat with a fork the egg yolk with the sunflower oil.

Apply to the entire head of hair, starting with the roots.

Leave on for at least 30 minutes.

Shampoo as usual.

Nourishing mask with banana and sunflower oil

Dry, damaged, weakened, frizzy or curly hair?

Banana is a food with great nutritional qualities. It is particularly rich in potassium and in vitamins A, B and C, as well as in minerals. Softening and repairing, it protects the elasticity of the hair fiber and will be your best natural ally. It makes your hair softer and more supple.

Here is a recipe for a hair mask that requires only a few ingredients and will be super effective!

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon of organic, cold-pressed, virgin sunflower oil.

Directions for use:

In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork and mix with the sunflower oil to a smooth consistency.

Apply the mixture to hair strand by strand, using a brush or fingers, and to the scalp (unless you tend to have an oily scalp).

Leave on for 30 minutes to an hour.

Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.

Sunflower oil hair bath

Frizzy, very dry, damaged, colored and brittle hair?

As we have seen in detail, sunflower oil alone provides many benefits to your hair and scalp. Essential fatty acids and vitamin E strengthen the hair fiber, nourish, repair in depth, and protect.

Its dry feel and rapid penetration allow it to easily penetrate the heart of the hair fiber and smooth the hair scales.

With sunflower oil baths, you will easily find nourished, repaired and silky hair.

Here's how to do it: 

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons of 100% pure, virgin, cold-pressed, organic sunflower oil.
• Optional: a few drops of essential oils to be chosen according to the desired virtues. However, be careful when using these essential oils on children and pregnant women and avoid using them on sensitive scalps.
• Tropical basil essential oil: improves the blood circulation of the scalp.
• Rosemary verbenone essential oil soothes itching of the scalp, sebum regulator and tonic. Stimulates the growth.
• Lemon essential oil: cleansing and strengthening. Tightens the scales. Ylang-ylang essential oil: sebum-regulating, hydrating and revitalizing. Slows down the fall and stimulates the growth.
• Peppermint essential oil: stimulates the hair follicles and promotes blood circulation.

Directions for use:

Pour the sunflower oil into a bowl and optionally add a few drops of your chosen essential oil.

Scoop a small amount of oil with your fingers and rub your palms together to distribute the oil.

Apply from the roots to the ends all over your hair.

When your hair is saturated with oil, stop the application. You will see that the oil will no longer penetrate the hair. There is no point in continuing to add excess oil.

Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips.

Depending on the condition of your hair and its need for repair, leave on for 30 minutes to overnight, wrapping your hair in a warm towel.

Wash your hair with your usual shampoo.

Duration of treatment: Every week for about 1 month 

Frequency:

Very damaged hair: 2 to 3 times a week

Dry hair: 1 time per week