Sunflowers may be best known for their tall and beautiful appearance, but their benefits to the skin are pretty incredible, as well. The North American-native plant was cultivated by Native Americans thousands of years ago for its oil, food, decoration, and medicinal benefits. Today, sunflower seed oil and extract are found in many skincare products for their ability to nourish and hydrate skin without clogging pores, making it a great choice for treating all skin types in the spa setting.
Find out why sunflower-based products and treatments are rising in popularity in the wellness industry.
“Skincare products that utilize sunflower seed extract and sunflower seed oil are becoming popular because of the continued interest in using products based on bio-advanced natural ingredients that work both synergistically and holistically within skincare treatments to provide a 360-degree experience to clients. In skincare formulations, you may see both sunflower seed oil and sunflower seed extract used. Sunflower seed extract is made by pressing the seed meal of the kernels of the sunflower. This leads to a much less oily result. The seed extract is more suitable for adding to a serum or emulsion at the later stages of production. However, the skincare benefits do not differ significantly. Sunflower seed oil and extract contain high concentrations of linoleic acid. Linoleic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid, has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal regeneration.”—Lydia Sarfati, CEO and founder, Repêchage
“I think everyone is looking for cleaner, more natural ingredients in their skincare products because we are more aware of what we put in and on our bodies. Sunflowers have proven to be an effective way to moisturize skin and that is the key to healthier-looking skin. We use sunflower seed oil because it is full of essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, which can help maintain the skin barrier and decrease transepidermal water loss. Its high natural moisturizing factor helps skin retain its own moisture, thus reducing dryness and the look of wrinkles.”—Holly Wydra, director of treatment engagement, FarmHouse Fresh
Learn about sunflower-based offerings available at spas today.
The Lalicious Lavender Body Wrap ($185, 60 minutes) at Aqua Wellness Day Spa (Carmel, CA) includes a lavender scrub followed by a hydrating wrap with a blend of lavender oil, shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil, and vitamin E.
The Flower Power Manicure ($52, 50 minutes) and Pedicure ($80, 50 minutes) at Renaissance Day Spa (Fayetteville, NC) include a rosemary and mint soak; a sea salt, honey, and lavender exfoliation; and an application of sunflower butter serum.
Consider these helpful marketing tips to attract clients to your sunflower-based offerings.
Summer Break: “Mid-summer treatments using sunflower extract are the perfect solution for skin that has been compromised by the sun, wind, and environmental aggressors in summer,”says Lydia Sarfati, CEO and founder of Repêchage. “For decor, nothing brightens up a mood more than a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers, and food offerings can include sunflower seeds. Graphics for social media can include sunflowers, and you can even provide sunflowers as a party favor.”
Farm-to-Spa Treatments: “I’ve seen our spa partners create beautiful window and retail displays that include bright, beautiful sunflowers that definitely catch your eye,” says Holly Wydra, director of treatment engagement at FarmHouse Fresh. “Simply sharing the benefits of sunflowers on the skin creates a buzz because we are always looking for the next natural source for stunning, fresh skin.”
Brightening Services: “Sunflower oil helps brighten the look of skin, helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and the look of uneven skintone, and adds a natural glow look to the skin,” says Lynnette Cole, global education director at Cosmedix. “Sunflower oil is also very versatile for the skin, hair, and body.”