Is Sunflower Oil the Natural Alternative to Silicone?

When it comes to nutrition, sunflower oil is often judged harshly for its high omega-6 content, which can be pro-inflammatory in excess. But when it comes to beauty products, sunflower oil might just be the star ingredient you didn’t know you were looking for.

“Studies show that it binds moisture in the skin and strengthens the skin barrier, even in baby skin,” explains dermatologist and nutritionist Dr. Anne Gürtler of LVATE in Munich, Germany. She also notes that although sunflower oil isn’t generally advised for those with acne prone skin, it can be helpful for those with sensitive skin as it provides a buffer for potentially irritating active ingredients such as retinol.

But skincare isn’t the only beauty arena in which sunflower oil may be useful. In fact, it’s also showing promise when it comes to hair care.

Can sunflower oil revolutionize hair care?

To wit, Dyson’s new Omega Hydrating Hair Oil contains sunflower oil derived from the company’s farm in northern England. “The plants are fertilized with algae and therefore contain particularly high levels of omega-6, which makes the oil extra nourishing and moisturizing,” explains Dyson’s product development director Justina Mejia-Montane.

That extra nourishment and moisture is thanks mostly to the omega’s long-chain fatty acids, which act primarily on the surface of the hair, protecting against friction and heat. They’re also what make the oil a natural alternative to synthetic silicones, which can build up on the hair shaft, causing it to look limp and dull over time.

Proper application matters

Of course, proper application is certainly key—and a little goes a long way: “One drop is enough for fine, shoulder-length hair. For longer and thicker hair, we recommend three to four drops,” Mejia-Montane advises, noting that it’s always better to apply more if needed. She also likes the products innovative glass bottle, in which the oil can only to be dispensed by turning the bottle upside down and tapping: “It’s virtually impossible to accidentally get too much,” says Mejia-Montane.

To distribute the oil through hair properly, the expert recommends rubbing the oil into your hands much like you would a hand cream. “Not only into the palms of your hands, but also onto the backs of your hands,” she says. “Then, you should run only your fingers through your hair. “This helps to spread a very fine film of oil without weighing hair down or making it greasy.”

A high quality sunflower oil may even offer some heat protection—an effect that was previously only possible with silicones. “Many people assume that if you use a hair straightener afterwards, you will literally fry your hair with vegetable oils,” says Mejia-Montane. “However, it actually depends on the oil. In our studies, we were able to prove that the sunflower oil we use— precisely because it is so rich in omega-6 fatty acids due to our special cultivation method—forms a protective film around the hair and can thus mimic the heat-shielding effect of silicone.”