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With the grape harvest in full swing here in Europe, it’s the perfect time to pick a bottle of freshly pressed grapeseed oil from your local health store. But what does it go best with? Luckily, many essential oils pair beautifully with grapeseed oil, from floral blends to herbal and woody blends. This blog post will look at the benefits of applying grapeseed oil to your skin, essential oils that pair well with it, and 3 DIY recipes to try at home.
Table of Contents
- What is Grapeseed Oil?
- Grapeseed Oil Skin Benefits
- What Makes Grapeseed Oil a Good Carrier Oil?
- 10 Essential Oils That Pair Well With Grapeseed Oil
- How to Use Grapeseed Oil
- Risks and Side Effects
- Takeaway
- References
What is Grapeseed Oil?
Grapeseed oil is a light, non-greasy, plant-based oil that’s cold-pressed from the seeds of the same grapes used for wine. Abundant in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, grapeseed oil is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, making it a highly desirable moisturiser with skin-enhancing benefits.
Light green in colour with a mild, nutty aroma, it is often added to creams and lotions to reduce dryness in the skin, facial serums for an anti-ageing effect or facial oils to remedy acne breakouts.
Grapeseed Oil Skin Benefits
Applying grapeseed oil to your skin can help:
1. Defend your skin from sun damage
Grapeseed oil, which is very rich in antioxidants, is believed to protect the skin from sun damage by reducing the effects of oxidative stress caused by UV radiation (1). Even though you shouldn’t use it in place of sunscreen, there is evidence grapeseed oil can offer some protection to skin exposed to sunlight.
2. Reduce dryness
A high amount of essential fatty acids and antioxidants in grapeseed oil contribute to its hydrating qualities. Applying it to your skin can help lock the moisture in, keeping your skin hydrated.
3. Improve skin tone
The high levels of antioxidants called proanthocyanidin in grapeseed oil can help improve your skin tone when applied topically (2). Grapeseed oil can also improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and soften the skin. Apply directly on your skin or blend it with other oils to suit your needs.
4. Combat acne breakouts
A combination of essential fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants in grapeseed oil may also help reduce inflammation and swelling associated with acne and lighten acne scars. Combining it with essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary, or lavender may improve its efficacy further.
Grapeseed oil, an excellent source of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, is naturally anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial, helping to fight premature ageing while soothing and protecting the skin.
What Makes Grapeseed Oil a Good Carrier Oil?
Numerous carrier oils offer great many skin benefits, so why should you choose grapeseed oil:
– is easy to find
– it is inexpensive
– it is well-tolerated by people with various skin types
– it is fast absorbent, not greasy or sticky, which makes it suitable for facial treatments
– it blends beautifully with most essential oils due to its mild aroma
– it can be taken internally or applied externally
– it provides myriad skin benefits, which is why you’ll find it in various skin care products.
Now that you understand what grapeseed oil can do for your skin, let’s look at how pairing it with essential oils can boost its effectiveness.
10 Essential Oils That Pair Well With Grapeseed Oil
Let’s start with antioxidant essential oils like rosemary and clary sage essential oil. These oils can boost circulation and protect your skin from environmental damage, which is why you’ll often find them in facial treatments. When paired with grapeseed oil, they can help control free-radical scavenging activity and protect your skin.
1. Rosemary Essential Oil
Naturally anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, rosemary essential oil is said to improve circulation, protect your skin from oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation. In addition, rosemary oil kills acne-causing bacteria, which is why it is often used in acne treatments. Moreover, inhaling the energising scent of rosemary essential oil may help to perk up your spirits.
Combine grapeseed oil with rosemary essential oil in your DIY face serums to restore radiance and add life to your dull skin. To encourage relaxation, pair rosemary with lavender and grapeseed oil and add to homemade massage oils.
INCI Name: Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Properties: Antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, nervine
Fragrance Family: Camphorous
Fragrance: Camphorous, fresh, green
Note: Mid
2. Clary Sage Essential Oil
This is another popular essential oil with antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from environmental damage. In addition, clary sage essential oil is known to calm the mind.
Combine the slightly fruity aroma of clary sage oil with the deep rich floral scent of ylang-ylang essential oil and grapeseed oil for a facial treatment that is sure to lift your spirits and defend your skin!
INCI Name: Salvia sclarea (Clary) Leaf Oil
Properties: Antioxidant, calming
Fragrance Family: Herbaceous
Fragrance: Slightly fruity, sweet aroma
Note: Top to Mid
When it comes to glowy skin, blending grapeseed oil with moisturising essential oils like sandalwood, lavender, and benzoin essential oils may help prevent moisture loss and support the skin’s barrier, protecting it from environmental aggressors that can contribute to a dull-looking complexion.
3. Sandalwood (Amyris) Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes due to its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and sedative properties. When it comes to skincare, this oil is a classic choice for dry skin due to its moisturising effect.
When combined with rose absolute and grapeseed oil, the blend can help nourish, tone and moisturise your skin, resulting glowy complexion. How amazing is that?
INCI Name: Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil
Properties: Moisturising, sedative, tonic
Fragrance Family: Woodsy
Fragrance: Rich, sweet, and woody
Note: Base
4. Lavender Essential Oil
One of the most notable benefits of lavender essential oil is its ability to regulate sebum production in the skin, thereby helping relieve dryness. Pairing lavender essential oil with sandalwood and grapeseed oil can help calm, regenerate, and moisturise the skin. Add to your moisturising DIY face creams, facial oils, body lotions or massage oils to treat your skin with the restorative benefits of lavender essential oil.
INCI Name: Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil
Properties: Balancing, anti-inflammatory, calming
Fragrance Family: Herbaceous
Fragrance: Sweet, floral, herbaceous scent
Note: Middle to top
5. Benzoin Essential Oil
Benzoin essential oil is a classic remedy for red, irritated, or itching dry skin. This oil’s warming and uplifting aroma blend beautifully with the rich woodsy scent of sandalwood and the floral scent of rose absolute or clary sage. When used in DIY face serum, body lotions or massage oils, this powerful combination of skin-loving oils can help reduce the dryness associated with dehydrated skin.
INCI Name: Styrax Benzoin (Benzoin) Gum Oil
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, astringent, sedative
Fragrance Family: Resinous
Fragrance: Warm, sweet, and uplifting
Note: Base
Now that we have covered essential oils that can help protect and moisturise the skin let’s turn our attention to those that can rejuvenate your skin.
6. Rose Absolute
Rose essential oil is often a good choice if you are looking for a sweet floral scent to add to your homemade skincare products. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calming, rose oil is often utilised in facial skincare products to reduce redness and protect the skin from premature ageing.
INCI Name: Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Extract
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, rejuvenating
Fragrance Family: Floral
Fragrance: Sweet, floral
Note: Base to Mid
7. Frankincense Essential Oil
Renowned for its rejuvenating ability, blending frankincense essential oil with omega-rich botanical oils can help replenish moisture in the skin, improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Pair it with rose absolute and grapeseed oil and add it to your DIY facial oils and serums as a lightweight, rejuvenating overnight treatment.
INCI Name: Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil
Properties: Rejuvenating, tonic, sedative
Fragrance Family: Resinous
Fragrance: Earthy, woody, balsamic
Note: Base
8. Carrot Seed Oil
A good source of carotol, a natural antioxidant, carrot seed oil is often used in skincare products to tone the skin and combat oxidative stress (a key contributor to premature ageing), promoting overall skin health (3).
Well-suited for dry and mature skin, its sweet earthy aroma pairs well with lavender, rosemary or frankincense essential oil. Add to your DIY facial oils and serums to nourish and regenerate your complexion.
INCI Name: Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil
Properties: Antioxidant, rejuvenating
Fragrance Family: Earthy
Fragrance: Sweet, warm, earthy scent
Note: Base
Another way to make the most out of grapeseed oil is to pair it with acne-fighting essential oils such as thyme and tea tree essential oil.
9. Thyme Essential Oil
Antibacterial, thyme is a potent essential oil shown to be highly effective in fighting acne-causing bacteria (4). Pairing with grapeseed oil and tea tree or rosemary essential oil may help soothe irritation associated with acne breakouts. Add it to your DIY cleansing facial oils or face masks.
INCI Name: Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil
Properties: Antibacterial, uplifting
Fragrance Family: Herbaceous
Fragrance: Warm, sweet, herbaceous
Note: Top
10. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is often used in skincare products to treat acne-prone skin. The benefits of tea tree essential oil can be attributed to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing properties.
When combined with grapeseed oil and jojoba oil, his anti-acne blend can be beneficial in remedying acne breakouts. You can pair tea tree oil with other acne-fighting essential oils, such as rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus or bergamot.
INCI Name: Melaleuca Alternafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Properties: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing
Fragrance Family: Camphorous
Fragrance: Medicinal, fresh, camphorous
Note: Top
How to Use Grapeseed Oil
Whether your skin lacks radiance, appears dull or is lacking in moisture, grapeseed oil can help. It’s light, non-greasy and easily absorbed by the skin. Below, I will share three simple recipes to help you incorporate grapeseed oil into your skincare routine.
1. Soothing DIY Facial Oil For Acne Prone Skin
This gentle, soothing face oil is well-suited for acne-prone skin. While jojoba oil helps balance sebum production and reduce inflammation and acne scarring, grapeseed oil and squalane work to reduce redness and swelling. I have added a few drops of rosemary, lavender and cedarwood essential oils for added benefits.
To make 100g, you will need the following:
INGREDIENTS
50.00g olive squalane
25.00g grapeseed oil
24.00g jojoba oil
0.45g lavender essential oil
0.25g rosemary essential oil
0.10g cedarwood essential oil
0.20g vitamin E
DIRECTIONS
Weigh all ingredients in a glass beaker and stir until well combined. Transfer into a glass dropper bottle, label and date.
TO USE: After you have cleansed and moisturised your skin, pat a few drops of oil into the skin. If you find that oil is causing irritations or increased breakouts, discontinue use.
2. Rejuvenating DIY Face Serum For Mature Skin
The nutrient-rich oils in this rejuvenating serum help restore moisture, tone the skin and may even reduce signs of premature ageing.
To make 100g, you will need the following:
INGREDIENTS
70.00g olive squalane
28.90g grapeseed oil
0.10g vitamin E
0.90g rose otto damask 5% dilution
0.10g sandalwood Amyris essential oil
DIRECTIONS
Weigh all ingredients in a glass beaker and stir until well combined. Transfer into a glass dropper bottle, label and date.
TO USE: After you have cleansed and moisturised your skin, pat a few drops of oil into the skin.
3. Simple Cleansing Oil
Try this simple recipe if you are looking for a simple fragrance and essential oil-free cleansing oil. A blend of jojoba, grapeseed and castor oil is gentle enough to remove foundation, lipstick, and mascara while keeping the skin nourished.
To make 100g, you will need the following:
INGREDIENTS
40.00g grapeseed oil
40.00g jojoba oil
19.90g castor oil
0.10g vitamin E
DIRECTIONS
Weigh all ingredients in a glass beaker and stir until well combined. Transfer into a glass dropper bottle, label and date.
TO USE: Apply to damp skin and gently massage in circular motions to remove makeup. Wipe off with a warm, damp cloth.
Risks and Side Effects
If you have never used grapeseed oil before, apply a small amount onto a clean skin patch and leave it for 24-48 hours to ensure your skin can tolerate it. If your skin turns red or itchy or you experience any irritations, discontinue using it.
Although essential oils are natural, they can be sensitising, cause irritations and pose health risks to some people. When incorporating them into your beauty regimen, do so cautiously and always:
- Essential oils are potent extracts and should always be diluted before use.
- Always patch test! If you notice any irritation, discontinue using immediately and contact your physician.
- Essential oils may be unsafe for infants, children, pregnant or nursing women, those with asthma, children, or pets.
- Some essential oils, including citrus, may increase the possibility of a photosensitive reaction when sunlight exposes.
Takeaway
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial with high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, grapeseed oil is a beautiful multi-tasker you can use to address dryness, protect your skin from oxidative stress, tackle signs of ageing or even tackle acne breakouts. Pairing it with essential oils is a great way to add a beautiful aroma to your DIY skincare products.
References
- Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation
- Assessment of viscoelasticity and hydration effect of herbal moisturisers using bioengineering techniques
- In vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extracts of Daucus carota seeds in experimental animals
- Activities of Ten Essential Oils towards Propionibacterium acnes and PC-3, A-549 and MCF-7 Cancer Cells
