Seed Oils and Acne: What’s the Connection?
When was the last time you rubbed your face with soy oil? Probably never, right? Seed oils seem to be the greatest hype product in the skincare world but is it healthy for you? If people didn’t historically consume something or use it on their skin, it should give us pause for thought.
Yet seed oils are everywhere today—in fast food, restaurant food, supermarket ready meals, and even the majority of ‘natural’, ‘organic’, ‘plant-based’ and ‘vegan’ skin care products.
Some people swear by their healing effects. Others wouldn’t let their worst enemy use them. The truth is, everyone has different skin needs & tolerance levels BUT when you’re born with the acne gene – seed oils are a no go, period.
What Seed Oils are Bad for My Skin?
In skincare, high PUFA oils are prevalent. You may however like to avoid seed oils high in polyunsaturated fats.
These particular seed oils have a high linoleic content, which is a reason why they’re damaging to the body. Linoleic acid intake triggers inflammation both inside and outside the body.
Here’s the thing about seed oils. They seem natural. Aren’t they from nature? But just like you can’t milk an almond, these are otherwise naturally derived ingredients processed in unnatural (industrial) ways. It’s not as simple as growing sunflower seeds and squeezing the oil from the petals.
This is where things get a little tricky. What may be good for someone else’s skin may not be good for yours. Everyone has an oil that is right for them, this is just a list to avoid if you have acne. If you don’t have acne, you generally don’t have to worry about what oils you use.
So, while your friend with dry skin may rave about cleansing with olive oil, slathering that on your breakout-prone skin will cause your face to explode in acne.
Here are the oils to avoid:
- Almond oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Avocado oil
- Beeswax (cera alba)
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut oil
- Corn oil
- Cotton seed oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Olive oil
- Palm oil
- Peach kernel oil
- Peanut oil
- Sesame oil
- Soybean oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Wheat germ oil
What are PUFAs, and Why are They Dangerous?
The problem is that seed oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (or PUFA for short), and PUFAs are far from good for you.
There seems to be conflicting information about the role of seed oils in acne development and prevention when you look up “seed oils for skin” online.
To make matters worse, PUFAs are found not only in the foods we eat, but also in the cosmetics we put on our skin, and they’re just as prone to oxidation (and the resulting free-radical damage to our cells) when found in a lotion as they are in a frying pan.
This means that even cosmetics that are advertised as natural and free from harmful chemicals can contain damaging PUFAs that cause sagging, wrinkles, and prematurely aged skin.
Cosmetic oils like almond, argan, rosehip and grapeseed may be organic and cold-pressed, but they’re still high in PUFA, and best avoided.
Bottom Line
Seed oils are prevalent in many cosmetic products today but that doesn’t mean they’re acne safe. So, instead of reaching for a facial oil to moisturize your face – you should opt for an acne safe moisturizer that will build your barrier instead of stripping it or clogging it.
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils that contain seed oils fit the description. Many facial oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts. So, using oils on acne-prone skin is basically the same thing as adding gas to a fire.
And the most important takeaway? Listening to your skin and not the people on your social media feeds is the best possible thing you can do for your routine.
Wondering about which ingredients in your skincare clog your pores? — Schedule an acne consultation, and we will happily provide you with everything you need to know.
Cheers to clear!
Rene