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Safflower oil
a bowl containing a clear oil, next to an orange safflower leaf

Safflower oil

Safflower oil is derived from the safflower, of which the botanical name is Carthamus Tinctorius L and is pictured above. Safflower is used commonly as a cooking oil to produce margarine as well as in cosmetics. It is colourless, flavourless and rich in linoleic acid.1

Safflower oil contains Linoleic acid (LA) and essential fatty acid (EFA). EFAs are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that cannot be synthesized in our bodies and must therefore be obtained from the diet. EFAs have documented roles in both the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin2.