🌿 Seed Oils in Skincare: Why Topical Use Is Completely Different from Eating Them

🌿 Seed Oils in Skincare: Why Topical Use Is Not the Same as Eating Them

In recent years, seed oils have become a hot-button issue. While debates rage on about their dietary safety, this conversation often spills over into skincare—with some customers wondering: “If seed oils are bad to eat, are they bad for your skin too?”

At Bumble & Bleat, we understand these concerns. That’s why we’re here to clarify the science-backed difference between ingesting seed oils and applying them topically.

Spoiler alert: Your skin loves the right seed oils—especially when they're cold-pressed, unrefined, and thoughtfully formulated.

🌾 What Are Seed Oils?

Seed oils are extracted from the seeds of various plants like sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and hemp. In nutrition, they’re often discussed in terms of their omega-6 fatty acid content—especially linoleic acid.

In skincare, however, these oils play a completely different role. They’re not digested or metabolized, but instead, work at the skin’s surface and slightly below to:

• Hydrate
• Repair the skin barrier
• Soothe inflammation
• Deliver antioxidants

🔥 Why the Dietary Debate Exists

The controversy surrounding seed oils in nutrition centers on their high Omega-6 fatty acid content, particularly linoleic acid found in seed oils like corn, soybean, and canola—could contribute to chronic inflammation. Critics argue that consuming large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids might disrupt the ideal ratio with omega-3s and potentially contribute to inflammation. Other clinical reviews show that moderate intake of linoleic acid actually improves heart health and does not increase inflammation when balanced with omega-3s. This concern has created confusion about all seed oils, in all contexts—including skincare. So let’s dive into the difference between consuming seed oils internally vs applying them topically in skincare.

The Skin Science of Seed Oils

The skin barrier is your body’s first line of defense. It's composed of lipids—mostly ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids—that hold skin cells together like bricks and mortar. When this barrier is damaged, it leads to:

• Dryness
• Irritation
• Inflammation
• Increased risk of infection

Many plant-based oils are rich in essential fatty acids that mimic the skin’s natural lipid composition—helping restore the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

When you apply seed oils to your skin, they don't enter your digestive system or circulate through your bloodstream in meaningful amounts. Instead, they work directly within the outermost layer of your skin to support your natural barrier function. When you apply seed oils topically, they:

1. Interact primarily with the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer)

2. Help repair gaps between cells in the lipid barrier

3. Provide essential fatty acids directly where they're needed

4. Support the skin's natural moisturizing factor

This localized action means topical seed oils support skin health without the systemic effects that concern some people about dietary consumption.

That’s where the use of topical seed oils come in.

🧬 Science Backed Benefits of Seed Oils in Skincare

Barrier Restoration:  Linoleic acid-rich oils like sunflower and safflower help restore the skin's protective barrier by replenishing natural lipids between skin cells. This is particularly beneficial for dry, irritated, or compromised skin.

Deep Hydration: These oils penetrate effectively into the stratum corneum, helping to maintain moisture levels without leaving a heavy, greasy feel.

Anti-inflammatory Properties: Topically applied seed oils can actually help reduce skin inflammation rather than promote it. Studies show that oils rich in linoleic acid can soothe irritated skin conditions.

Antimicrobial Effects: Many seed oils possess natural antimicrobial properties that can help maintain healthy skin flora.

Clinical research supports these benefits. A 2023 study published in Cosmetics found that raspberry seed oil (a drying oil with high PUFA content) significantly improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss after just one application. The oil demonstrated superior moisturizing effects compared to coconut oil and sesame oil.

Topically applied seed oils:

👉 Do not enter the bloodstream
👉 Do not affect systemic inflammation
👉 Support skin hydration and barrier repair
👉 Are rich in linoleic acid—key for skin health

Let's take a look at the fatty acid composition of several seed oils and their impact on skin health. 

Fatty Acid	Function in Skin	Found In
Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) 🌟	Repairs barrier, reduces inflammation	🌟 Sunflower, grapeseed, apricot kernel, raspberry seed, rice bran, argan, sesame
Oleic Acid (Omega-9)	Deeply penetrates	Olive oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel, argan
Alpha-Linolenic (Omega-3)	Anti-inflammatory	Raspberry seed oil
Palmitic & Stearic Acids	Occlusive and emollient	Mango butter, babassu oil
Eicosenoic & Erucic Acids	Sebum balancing, protective	Jojoba oil (wax ester, not a triglyceride, but mimics skin sebum well)

📆 Healthy skin has a high linoleic acid content. When skin is damaged or acne-prone, it's often deficient in this key fatty acid.

 

🌼 Our Favorite Skin-Loving Seed Oils

At Bumble & Bleat, we choose each oil in our formulations for its specific benefits to skin health, especially for sensitive and barrier-compromised skin.

Here’s an updated list of our top-performing seed oils:

Seed Oil	Skin Benefits	Why We Love It
Sunflower Oil	Repairs the skin barrier	Linoleic-rich and fast absorbing; gentle on sensitive skin
Grapeseed Oil	Balances oil production	Lightweight, antimicrobial, and non-comedogenic
Apricot Kernel Oil	Softens and soothes dry, irritated skin	High in oleic and linoleic acid; ideal for mature or sensitive skin
Jojoba Oil	Regulates sebum; mimics skin’s natural oils	Technically a wax ester; highly stable and non-comedogenic
Argan Oil	Restores elasticity and smoothness	Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids; absorbs beautifully
Raspberry Seed Oil	Defends against oxidative stress and UV damage	High in antioxidants and omega-3/6; soothing for inflamed skin
Rice Bran Oil	Nourishes and strengthens the skin barrier	Rich in phytosterols, oryzanol, and fatty acids for anti-aging care

Nature’s Wisdom

Seed oils in skincare represent nature's wisdom applied correctly—delivering beneficial fatty acids directly to the skin where they can work most effectively.

Cold-pressed, thoughtfully formulated seed oils are powerful allies for healthy, resilient skin. They offer the moisturizing, barrier-supporting, and anti-inflammatory benefits that your skin craves, without any of the concerns associated with dietary consumption.

When you choose products containing these oils, you're embracing ingredients backed by both traditional use and modern science.

🐐 Bumble & Bleat Ingredient Philosophy

We handcraft our skincare using:

• Cold-pressed, unrefined seed oils
• No fillers or harsh detergents
• Quality natural ingredients chosen for function
• Ingredients free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and formaldehyde doners

Explore our products designed to promote the health of your skin, incorporating the finest ingredients nature has to offer!

 

❓ FAQ: What Our Customers Ask Most

Q: “Aren’t seed oils toxic?”
A: No. That claim refers to dietary overconsumption or industrially refined oils—not cold-pressed oils applied topically.

Q: “Can seed oils clog my pores?”
A: Oils high in linoleic acid are non-comedogenic and help regulate sebum production.

Q: “Why not just use butters or essential oils?”
A: Butters are occlusive but lack essential fatty acids. Essential oils are potent and need dilution. Seed oils hydrate, restore, and nourish.

📚 References

• Danby, S. G., AlEnezi, T., Sultan, A., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
• Vaughn, A. R., Clark, A. K., Sivamani, R. K., & Shi, V. Y. (2018). Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: Ancient compounds now backed by modern science. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 19(1), 103–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
• Kanti, V., Gáspár, K., Boehncke, W. H., & Luger, T. A. (2021). The role of linoleic acid in skin barrier function and regeneration. Nutrition Journal, 20(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-021-00707-3
• Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
• Dzidek, A., Czerwińska-Ledwig, O., Ziembla, A., Matysiak, K., Zawadzka, K., Kulesa-Mrowiecka, M., Uher, I., Pałka, T., Poráčová, J., & Piotrowska, A. (2023). Impact of raspberry seed oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil on skin in young women. Cosmetics, 10(6), 169. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10060169
• Abdalla, S., Aroua, M. K., & Gew, L. T. (2024). A comprehensive review of plant-based cosmetic oils (virgin coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil): Chemical and biological properties and their cosmeceutical applications. ACS Omega, 9(44), 44019–44032. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c04277