The Truth About Seed Oils and What to Avoid
Seed oils are pressed from the seeds of plants, flowers, and fruits. So what could be wrong?
Why are some seed oils harmful?
The main concern with seed oils is the their omega-6 content. Omega-6 is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which your body needs but does not produce. Traditionally, humans consumed a ratio of 4:1, 2:1, or 1:4 omega-6 to omega-3. Now, we are consuming omega-6 in ratios of 16:1.
It is easy for consuming a little to become a lot, as seed oils are used for cooking, are in most processed foods, and are even fed to animals in grain form as feed for conventional meats. Unfortunately, it is hard to avoid seed oils all together unless you are in complete control of your food supply.
What are seed oils doing to your body?
Omega-6 is a proinflammation, and can cause excess inflammation in your body leading to gut, health, and skin issues. Polyunsaturated fats, have multiple double bonds, being more susceptible to oxidation and rancidity. Oxidation leads to free radicals which can cause chronic illnesses and/or cancer. omega-3 is anti-inflammatory, so a more balanced ratio would help protect against free radicals.
Which seed oils to avoid?
- Soybean oil
- Corn oil
- Sunflower oil
- Cotton seed oil
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
Should you avoid seed oils in your skincare too?
Are the seed oils used in skincare the same seed oils you consume? No. This boils down to how the oils are processed, how they are used, and the skincare product as a whole.
Typically oils processed for consumption are food grade oils which are expeller pressed and refined. This means heat is created or used in the extraction process causing the break down of vital nutrients and also leads to oxidation.
Cosmetic grade oils are either solvent extracted or cold pressed, which is the lowest temperature you can get in extraction process. This helps the oil retain as much of its original form as possible and giving the maximum amount of nutrients and benefits. Solvent extracted oils can retain some of the solvent used in the process, altering the chemical make up of the oil. Cold pressing can be a labor intensive process, which is why cosmetic oils are not as cheap to produce as consumable soybean oil.
Oil-based skincare products help to nourish and repair your skin's lipid barrier. This outer most layer of your skin needs to be nourished topically, including with omega-6, and will not fully benefit from what you consume. There are many seed oils that do wonders for the skin including pomegranate seed oil, baobab seed oil, and rosehip seed oil. Avoiding all seed oils will leave your skin deprived of vital nutrients to help you glow.
With our high quality skin care. not only are you getting cold pressed oils with the most nutrient rich benefits, but you're also getting a blend of oils. A blend blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids and work together moisturize, rejuvenate, and protect your skin's lipid barrier. Blending can also help increase the shelf life of the oils high in polyunsaturated fats without having to add additional ingredients.
Oxidation is caused by heat, light (UV), and oxygen, so look for skincare products stored in dark glass container. Store your natural skin care in a cool, dark place away from moisture.
Interested in learning more about simple skincare routines? Check out our 5-Minute Skincare Routine for Tired Mamas.
We carefully hand-select botanical ingredients based on quality and their skin loving benefits. All of our botanical ingredients are certified organic, organically grown, or wildcrafted.
The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace professional medical advice.