Are Seed Oils Bad for Your Skin? The Short Answer is NO... Let's Break It Down

Sunflower field

You may have heard a lot of chatter online about seed oils being "bad for your skin" or even "toxic" — but is that really true when it comes to skincare? Let’s set the record straight.

What Are Seed Oils?

Seed oils are oils extracted from the seeds of plants — like sunflower, grape seed, rose hip, hemp, and pumpkin seed. These oils are packed with skin-loving nutrients, including essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Some even go as far to include oils such as avocado, apricot kernel, olive, and the like citing that any oil that comes from a "reproductive part" of a plant is technically a seed oil. Check out this blog post for that viewpoint as well as this one: Seed Oil Myths and Science.

Cooking with oil

Why the "Seed Oils Are Bad" Myth Exists

The fear around seed oils mainly comes from the diet world, where industrial seed oils (like canola, soybean, and corn oil) are criticized for being highly processed and unstable when heated, which can cause inflammation when eaten.

Seed oils—like sunflower, safflower, and canola—have been caught in the crossfire of internet wellness debates. But before tossing out your cooking oils, it’s worth pausing to consider what the science actually says.

These oils are often high in omega 6 fatty acids which can act as pro-inflammatory mediators. But omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid important for brain health, immune health, as well as growth and development. The problem lies in quality and amount. Poor quality seed oils in excessive amounts may lead to inflammation but that is only part of the story.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, seed oils aren’t inherently toxic. The concern isn’t the oils themselves, but how heavily they’re used in ultra-processed foods. These oils are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to inflammation if consumed in excess—especially without enough omega-3s in the diet.

But when used mindfully in home cooking and balanced with whole foods, these oils can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle.

In fact, experts at the American Heart Association strongly support the use of seed oils, highlighting their heart-health benefits and noting there's no reason to avoid them.

Similarly, Mass General Brigham emphasizes that much of the fear around seed oils stems from myths—not research.

And Harvard Health takes it a step further, pointing out that many of the online claims about “seed oil toxicity” are overblown and unfounded (Harvard Health Publishing).

At Aromatic Formulations, we believe in honoring both nature and evidence. That means not demonizing ingredients without context—and supporting informed, balanced choices. If you're choosing oils for your skincare or your kitchen, look for cold-pressed, minimally refined options whenever possible. And most importantly, tune out the fear-mongering and lean into trusted science.

In skincare, seed oils are typically cold-pressed (meaning they’re minimally processed) to preserve their benefits, especially with formulators who appreciate their nourishing properties. Now lets get back to seed oils in skincare...

Skincare products

 The Real Benefits of Seed Oils for Skin

• Deep Moisture: Seed oils help replenish and protect your skin's natural barrier, locking in hydration.

• Nutrient-Rich: They deliver essential omega fatty acids and antioxidants that support healthy, glowing skin.

• Soothing: Many seed oils actually have anti-inflammatory properties that calm redness and irritation.

• Gentle for Most Skin Types: Oils like hemp seed and sunflower are lightweight and non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog pores).

• Support Skin Repair: Oils like rose hip seed oil, evening primrose seed oil, and camellia seed oils are well loved for their amazing skin care benefits

Backed by Science

A 2018 scientific review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reinforces what formulators and skin professionals have known for years: many plant-based oils, including seed oils, have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and help repair the skin barrier when applied topically.

The review highlights that oils like sunflower, coconut, and sesame can support wound healing, calm inflammation, and improve moisture retention — especially when the oils are cold-pressed and minimally refined. Read the study here ›

But here’s the key:

That concern is about cooking and eating processed oils — not applying high-quality, cold-pressed oils to your skin.

In skincare, seed oils typically are:

• Fresh and cold-pressed

• Used topically penetrate only the uppermost layers of the skin

• Stabilized with antioxidants

They nourish your skin, not inflame it.

Should You Avoid Seed Oils in Your Skincare Products?

 No! Unless you have a personal allergy (like a sensitivity to sesame or nuts), seed oils can be incredibly beneficial to your skin’s health.

What matters most is:

• The quality of the oil (organic, cold-pressed, fresh)

• The formulation of the product (well-preserved and stable)

There’s no need to fear seed oils when used thoughtfully in skincare.

Bottom Line

Seed oils have been used for centuries to nourish and heal the skin — and when they’re high-quality, they can be one of the best ingredients in your skincare routine.

Seed oils aren’t the enemy. Poor quality, oxidized oils are. Choose wisely, and your skin will thank you!

Aromatic blessings,

Tricia