Sunflower-Infused Products for a Healthy Scalp and Shiny Hair

There’s something about sunflowers. Just looking at the beautiful bloom is enough to lift your mood. It’s no wonder sunflower oil happens to have that very same effect on hair.

Derived from seeds, sunflower oil is high in essential fatty acids like phospholipids and ceramides, as well as antioxidants and vitamin E, making it nourishing and soothing to dry hair and scalps. It locks in moisture and helps keeps hair healthy and shiny.1

Sometimes known as safflower oil, this noncomedogenic oil can be used on its own or mixed with other oils to craft a potion that’ll leave hair silky smooth. Not to mention, there are also some amazing sunflower oil–infused products on the market.

Sunflower Oil Scalp Treatment

For a one-ingredient treatment, simply massage a quarter-sized amount of sunflower oil into your scalp. Comb it through your (damp or dry) hair to the ends. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave the oil on for at least 20 minutes (one hour is better). Then rinse out and shampoo thoroughly.

For an even richer way to nourish your locks, you can blend sunflower oil with argan, almond, and castor oils. Use this blend just as you would plain sunflower oil.

Products With Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil’s nourishing properties have earned it a well-deserved place in many restorative hair products. Here are some of the best sunflower oil–infused goods on the market.

Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak​ ($28)

A blend of sunflower and apricot oils, plus B vitamins, this deep conditioner promises to repair and strengthen color-treated hair. It also helps keep color vibrant.

Mixed Chicks Replenishing Oil ($28)

Rose hip, carrot, jojoba, and macadamia oils join forces with sunflower to create a healing potion for your hair and scalp.

TRESemme Renewal Hair & Scalp ($22) 

Tea tree and sunflower oils are the key ingredients in this drugstore gem. It revitalizes dull, dry tresses to help achieve that hair commercial–worthy shine and bounce.

Agave Healing Oil ($24)

Sunflower and baobab seed oils combine to make a lightweight oil that fights frizz and boosts hair’s vibrancy.

L’Oreal Nature’s Therapy Mega Moisture Nurturing Creme ($14)

This creamy hair mask with sunflower oil replenishes moisture to dehydrated locks. It does a lot at a budget-friendly price.

Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Conditioner ($32)

Sunflower oil promises to moisturize and heal, while quinoa protein is meant to restore strength and elasticity to damaged hair. Bergamot, ylang ylang, and mandarin give this potent conditioner an invigorating fragrance.

Sunflower Power

Whether on its own or featured among other nourishing botanicals, sunflower oil is a total hero ingredient. Definitely keep an eye out for it when shopping for hair care—and keeping a bottle of the pure oil on hand is a smart idea, too.