Grapeseed Oil For Skin: Benefits, How To Use It + More

When shopping for skin care products, you should always take your skin type into account. If you have oily skin, you may opt for gel-like moisturizers over heavy creams, while those with dry skin tend to like the opposite. 

Grapeseed oil is traditionally made by pressing the grape seeds that are collected after grapes have been turned into wine1—talk about zero waste, right?

The result is a rich oil with high concentrations of vitamin E, linolic acid, and omega-3s—all of which are well-known to be beneficial for the skin when used topically.

However, this botanical extract is also used as a cooking oil and has been shown to increase insulin resistance when ingested2. 

One of the most popular benefits: Grapeseed oil can be used by those with acne-prone skin, without running the risk of clogging their pores. Not only is it safe, but it's actually beneficial for those with breakouts as it has anti-inflammatory properties and regulates sebum production3. 

"It's been documented that people with acne-prone skin show a decrease in the concentration of linoleic acid and a deficiency of ceramides in their skin," clean cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline tells mbg.

"That leads to skin barrier dysfunction in which acne is the result. Assuring proper balance of lipid profiles in the skin as well as enhancing skin barrier functions can help maintain acne in the long term," she adds. 

This is a major win, as other popular oils like coconut oil, for example, may help to soften and nourish the skin but can also build up, clogging pores and thus triggering breakouts. 

"Polyphenols found in grapeseed oil are also known for inhibiting the activity of proteinase, collagenase, and elastase, which are responsible for the degradation of collagen and elastin, thus ensuring skin firmness and elasticity," board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Advanced Care Kseniya Kobets, M.D., tells mbg.

Grapeseed oil, like other botanical oils, has an occlusive property. This means that when applied topically, grapeseed oil will help to lock in moisture, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is why your grapeseed oil product should be applied last—more on that to come. 

"Interestingly, procyanidins, which are a flavonoid in grapes, may even perhaps counter apoptosis in hair epithelial cells induced by TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 and thus help hair growth," Kobets explains. 

Grapeseed oil can be found in tons of hair care products, likely due to its ability to support oil balance in the skin and scalp as well. Unlike potent extracts like rosemary oil, grapeseed oil can be used directly on the scalp alone or as a carrier oil for those more concentrated extracts.

"Since grapeseed oil is an occlusant, it will be beneficial to use it after applying hyaluronic acid or other humectants to seal them in and stop transepidermal water loss," Kobets says. Read: Use it as the last step in your routine. 

Given that grapeseed oil may have hair growth benefits, why not add it to your scalp care routine? To do so, simply apply pure grapeseed oil to your scalp and gently massage it in, using your fingertips or a gua sha comb—not your nails. 

As mentioned above, grapeseed oil can be found as an ingestible supplement or cooking oil, too. In fact, one study showed that oral grapeseed oil helped improve the appearance of melasma and hyperpigmentation in the skin8. 

Given its rich antioxidant and wound-healing properties, grapeseed oil may be able to ease hyperpigmentation when used topically as well.

As with any botanical extract, you should patch-test grapeseed oil on a small section of your skin before applying it to your entire face or scalp. 

In addition, be sure to keep expiration dates in mind when using products with this ingredient in them. "All plant oils are subject to oxidation and can go rancid on the shelf," Koestline says. 

"Pre-formulated face oils are subject to stability studies that assure that it's stable and effective for the amount of time listed," she adds. 

All in all, grapeseed oil is a great way to get moisture and antioxidants into your skin. One of the main benefits of this topical oil is that it's noncomedogenic, which means it's a safe option for those prone to breakouts.