Grape Seed Oil & Skin

Grape seed oil comes from the seeds of grapes, if you haven't guessed from the name. It is taken from grapes that were already used for wine. Grape seed oil is commonly used for skin care, in products like massage oils and creams. It also might improve the condition of your skin if you ingest it internally.

Base oil

Grape seed oil is one of the lightest body care oils, making it popular for the skin. It also absorbs well, instead of many other oils that stay on the skin with an oily consistency. Grape seed oil is commonly used as a base, or carrier, oil to dilute essential oils for massage. This oil is clear with no scent, so it does not take away from the scent of added essential oils.

Skin Types

Grape seed oil works for most skin types, including sensitive, dry, normal and combination., However, it is not recommended for oily skin, according to Nerys Purchon in her book "The Essential Natural Health Bible." If you have oily skin, try soybean oil instead. Grape seed oil is also often used for allergic people, because it hasn't caused many allergic reactions in sensitive people. Because of this, it is often added to hypoallergenic products.

Aging Skin

Grape seed oil contains antioxidants, which fight free radicals thought to be responsible for a number of diseases. The antioxidants in grape seed oil are associated with improving aging skin by protecting the elastin and collagen in it, although there is not enough research to back up these claims. You ingest the oil for this benefit, but talk to your doctor first if you are on blood thinning medication.

Grape Seed Properties

The flavonoids, resveratrol and anthocyanins in grape seeds are phytonutrients, or nutrients from plants, which when ingested, provide anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and antimicrobial properties, notes a 2010 study in the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences." All of these properties might affect the health of the skin, although more research is needed to determine the possible benefits of grape seed oil for the skin. The seeds of grapes have more phenolic compounds than the flesh, skin and leaves of the grape.