What is grapeseed oil in skincare?
Grapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds left over from winemaking. It is one of the lightest plant oils available and is dominated by linoleic acid – typically around 70% – with vitamin E and proanthocyanidin antioxidants.
That linoleic dominance is what sets it apart. Sebum in acne-prone skin is characteristically low in linoleic acid, so topping it up topically supports the barrier instead of overloading it.
What skin concerns does grapeseed oil treat?
It suits oily, combination and acne-prone skin better than almost any other plant oil: it absorbs quickly, leaves no residue and sits at the low end of the comedogenic scale.
It hydrates without heaviness, its antioxidants help defend against free-radical damage, and its anti-inflammatory activity calms redness. It is also used to soften the appearance of acne scars and to even skin tone over time.
What ingredients are best paired with grapeseed oil?
Layer it over hyaluronic acid or niacinamide and under or instead of a heavier moisturiser. It combines well with ceramides for barrier work and with salicylic acid routines that leave skin dry.
It oxidises faster than more saturated oils, so buy it in small, dark bottles and store it cool. It is also a clean carrier oil for diluting essential oils. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin – xerosis in clinical terms – is a skin type that lacks oil rather than water. It feels tight after cleansing, looks flaky or rough, may show fine cracking, and often reads dull because the uneven surface scatters light.
It is worth separating dry skin from dehydrated skin: dryness is a lack of lipids and is usually lifelong, while dehydration is a temporary lack of water and can happen to oily skin too. Many people have both at once.
What causes dry skin?
At the root is a compromised moisture barrier. When ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids and natural moisturising factors run low, water evaporates out of the skin faster than it can be replaced.
Age, genetics, cold weather and low humidity, long hot showers, harsh surfactants, over-exfoliation, some medications, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis all deplete those lipids. Consistent moisturising is the single intervention with the strongest evidence behind it.
What ingredients are best for dry skin?
Rebuild in layers. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea and panthenol draw water in; emollients such as squalane, jojoba oil and shea butter smooth the surface; and occlusives seal the whole thing in.
Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are the priority, because they replace exactly what a dry barrier is missing, with niacinamide helping the skin make more of its own. Apply to damp skin, and swap foaming cleansers for cream or oil-based ones. Take our Skin Quiz to find the right combination for your skin.
