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

Some ingredients, however, are winners for all skin types—from acne-prone to chronically dry and even highly sensitive. One of those crowd favorites is grapeseed oil, so let's chat about the benefits and how to use this hydrating superstar. 

But back to skin care—this ingredient isn't new. In fact, it's been used for thousands of years, even tracing back to ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Given its nutrient profile, it's no wonder this oil has stuck around for so long and continues to be used in products everywhere. 

We know there are plenty of oils used on the skin today, so we'll dive into what makes grapeseed oil so unique and why you may want to add it to your routine: 

However, it's not the only acne-safe oil on the market, as others such as jojoba, evening primrose, and rosehip check this box, too. 

Hence, why grapeseed oil is found in so many facial products formulated for aging skin. What's more, we know that grapeseed oil has skin-barrier-loving properties, so it can help to mitigate dryness that also frequently comes along with skin aging.

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, studies show that grapeseed oil may also be helpful in reducing erythema3, or reddening in the skin. This is particularly important to note for those who struggle with rosacea or broken capillaries on the face. 

It can also support your skin barrier, as the oil is chockfull of fatty acids,4 such as linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids.

Kobets notes grapeseed oil can even help support the wound-healing process. In one study, the main component of grape seeds, oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) were shown to help mitigate the overproduction of collagen5, which, in turn, may help prevent scars like keloids. 

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For those looking to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, grapeseed oil may be able to help, Kobets says. Especially for those with large and often clogged pores in the T-zone, especially blackheads, grapeseed oil is a great option to regulate that extra oil production leading to buildup as well. 

What's more, research shows that grapeseed oil also has antimicrobial properties6. This means that when applied topically, grapeseed oil can help fight off bad bacteria in the skin that can lead to breakouts.

Because grapeseed oil is an antioxidant ingredient, it can help protect the skin from absorbing full UV rays, as demonstrated in this study7. That being said, this should never be used in replacement of sunscreen—instead, keep it as one step in your sun care routine, in addition to your favorite SPF.

If you're ready to test it out, here are a few ways to add grapeseed oil to your routine: 

However, you won't want to apply an occlusive agent like grapeseed oil over concentrated actives like retinol or chemical exfoliants (think salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc.). Instead, reserve it for your morning routine or the evenings you stick with only gentle or hydrating serums and treatments. 

You can leave the oil on your scalp overnight, or rinse it off a few hours later. Keeping it on the skin for more than a few minutes will ensure your skin reaps all of the potential benefits. You could call this process hair slugging, hair oiling, etc.—read up on the potential benefits here.

Double-cleaning is the method of using an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup or SPF and then following up with a water-based cleanser afterward. Grapeseed oil is just one of the ingredients you can use for the first step in that process—either in a pre-formulated cleanser or on its own. 

It's important to note that while grapeseed oil can be used for cooking, it's not necessarily the healthiest option. Instead, reach for olive oil, avocado oil, or another expert-approved option. 

On the bottle, packaging, or the website you bought your product, you should be able to find out how long it lasts—look for a small jar icon with a number inside of it. 

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. You can also ingest grapeseed oil, but do so in the form of a trusted supplement. Want more acne-safe oils to have on hand? Here are a few more.