Grapes, including their leaves and sap, have been traditionally used throughout Europe for thousands of years to treat numerous conditions.
Grape seed extract, also called grapeseed oil, is usually made from the seeds of red grapes used for wine. This oil has been shown to have many benefits for one’s health, including the face, skin, and hair.
Its anti-inflammatory properties, along with antioxidants and healthy fats, contribute significantly to healthy, youthful skin and hair.
There are many ways to effectively apply this to your skin and hair to remove many conditions like dry hair, wrinkled skin, dry skin, and stretch marks, to name a few.
Uses for Face and Skin
Postpone Aging
Grape seed oil can be used to treat and prevent symptoms associated with aging, such as wrinkles and loose skin. Not only does it help by moisturizing your skin, but its antioxidant properties destroy free radicals that degrade collagen production, a substance important for youthful skin.
Simply apply to the face before bedtime and allow to soak in. Make sure to keep oil away from your eyes. Applying the oil after a hot bath will help it soak in more. Consistent use will bring much more noticeable results.
Sun Protection
Although it’s not sufficient to replace sunblock entirely, especially during intense sun, grape seed oil has been shown to have some resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Furthermore, the vitamin E contained within the oil prevents skin inflammation that results from sunburn.
Because of it being an oil, it will have sufficient water resistance, making it great for water activities. However, grapeseed oil tends to absorb in the skin rather quickly, so it may need to be applied frequently to be used as an effective sunblock. Again, remember to use regular sunblock as well.
Moisturizer
[amazon box=”B01I46BBE0″]
This trick is especially useful if you get dry skin during the winter, or any time of the year. Climate plays a part as well. However, grape seed oil will rapidly heal any dry skin that you may have.
On top of containing healthy essential oils that keep skin hydrated, vitamin E and antioxidants further prevent skin from drying out. Better yet, grape seed oil will not clog your skin pores, unlike other moisturizers, so acne and unwanted pimples won’t be a problem.
Severely dry skin may require copious amounts of the oil. It could also be made into a paste, allowing larger doses on the skin at one time.
Acne Prevention
Not only does grapeseed oil not cause acne, but it can prevent it too, due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Another mechanism of how it works is by replacing sebum, a substance naturally produced by the skin to prevent dehydration, is effectively replaced by the grape seed oil.
It’s this sebum that feeds acne-causing bacterial. Grape seed oil kills the bacteria by replacing the sebum, effectively starving it of food. Any painful pimples or other skin rashes will be soothed by the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Treat Bags Under Eyes
Bags under the eyes aren’t reserved for just the elderly, but can be found in just about every age group from 20 and up. A rough lifestyle, such as stress and poor sleep, can add to the mess as well.
Fortunately, applying grape seed oil on any eye bags you may have will help alleviate their presence. Also, it can improve lines around the eyes as well. You could also mix the grape oil with butter to improve it’s moisturizing effects.
Although some have reported improvement with dark circles, it may or may not heal your dark circles, due to them having a very different cause.
Stretch Marks
[amazon box=”B07D9VTBK2″]
Stretch marks result from the break down of the dermis, the thickest part of the skin. Sudden growth spurts, such as puberty and pregnancy, cause this. Applying grape seed oil to the marks will reduce their presence to a degree, especially if you apply frequently.
Applying the oil before a pregnancy will prevent and treat stretch marks even more. You could also apply grape seed oil to a warm or hot bath, allowing the oil to slowly soak all over.
Pre Shave Oil
Grape seed oil makes an excellent pre-shave solution. It will greatly decrease the chance of razor burns during a shave by lubricating the surface between the hair and the razor, effectively preventing the blade from grabbing and pulling.
Any little irritation that does result from the shave will easily be repaired by the oil’s amazing anti-oxidant, moisturizing and collagen-building properties. To make an even more effective grape seed pre-shave oil, heat up oil and add beneficial herbs, then strain them out.
Peppermint and Aloe Vera are just a few herbs that are very beneficial to the skin.
Healing Wounds
Aside from treating skin conditions such as dry skin, acne, wrinkles and eye bags, grape seed oil has been found to promote angiogenesis in wounds, a process where the skin creates new blood vessels and cell growth.
The anti-oxidant and bacterial properties of the oil are thought to be responsible for this. Overall, one abstract found grape seed oil to be a great dermal wound healer. Continuously apply grape seed oil to your wound, if you have one, until it heals.
Uses for the Hair
Hair Conditioner
[amazon box=”B000RZPVV6″]
Due to the excellent properties of grape seed oil, it makes an excellent substitute for hair conditioner. What’s nice about using grape seed oil as a hair conditioner compared to other oils, such as coconut and olive oil, is that it won’t leave your hair feeling greasy and oily.
That fact that it’s odorless is also nice. Overall, it will treat dry hair, split ends and other annoying hair problems you may encounter. Start with a little at first and work your way up. The length of time the oil has to soak is an important factor as well.
Dandruff and Dermatitis
Dandruff, along with dermatitis, is caused by an excess of dead skin cells, usually resulting from dehydration. Adding moisture to your scalp, along with beneficial anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties found in grape seed oil, will prevent the rapid accumulation of dead skin cells.
When you use the oil as a conditioner, make sure to thoroughly hit your scalp as well. Don’t be afraid to really rub it in there. Severe dandruff may need days or even weeks of continuous use. Even just one single use will cause a noticeable improvement.
Hair Loss
One of the main causes of hair loss is the production of a chemical called DHT. Interestingly, grape seed oil contains certain anti-oxidants that help block the production of DHT, or at the very least to an extent.
The oil will also relax your hair follicles, counteracting the effects of hair-loss-inducing cortisol. You’ll want to allow a much longer soak time than you would for treating dandruff or dry hair.
This sufficient time allows the hair follicles to become completely soaked and saturated with the oil. After and hour or so, your hair can be washed out.
Strengthen Hair
People who naturally have very thin or brittle hair will see a significant improvement after applying grape seed oil.
The vitamin E, along with the anti-oxidants, will cause your hair to be vibrant, sturdy, soft and overall breath taking. Heated grape seed oil will penetrate even deeper into your hair. Just be careful not to make it too hot.
Conclusion
Grapeseed oil is highly effective at treating numerous hair, skin and face conditions that you may encounter throughout your life. Just following a few of these tricks will have you trying many other things with grape seed oil.
Also, remember that the oil has numerous health benefits as well. Be sure to share the good news of grape seed oil to all your friends, family and loved ones. With grape seed oil, you can prevent the many annoyances that come with aging.