If you’re looking for an all-natural moisturizer to add to your skin care routine or a heart-healthy cooking oil, meet grapeseed oil.

Grapeseed oil is the oil extracted from grape seeds during the winemaking process. And though it retains none of that pinot grigio goodness, grapeseed oil can benefit your health and skin thanks to its antioxidant-rich, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Here’s the deep dive on several grapeseed oil benefits your body will love.

people applying grapeseed oil to faceShare on Pinterest
Javier Díez/Stocksy United

Grapeseed oil has a light, neutral flavor that makes it great for cooking. So, while you can still lather it on your skin and hair, pour some on your next meal to get these potential health perks.

It may help heart health

Grapeseed oil brims with omega-6 fatty acids, an unsaturated fat that’s better for your heart compared to trans and saturated fats. Still, science is iffy on whether omega-6s *boost* heart health. Here’s what we know:

  • A 2018 research review linked omega-6 consumption with a lower risk of heart attack.
  • However, the same review found no link between omega-6 consumption and better overall heart health.
  • Older 2006 research found that eating too many omega-6s in relation to omega-3s might cause heart-damaging inflammation.

So, is grapeseed oil a wash in the world of heart health? In fatty acid land, maybe. Then again, the oil’s vitamin E content might help ward off heart-damaging blood clots. 🤷

It’s antioxidant-rich

Grapeseed oil may be a knight in shining (glistening?) armor in the battle against free radical damage.

Here’s why: This oil is packed with vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. Antioxidants protect you from free radicals, roving molecules that slowly damage your cells.

So, grapeseed oil might indirectly help you fight off the havoc that causes premature aging and cancer.

It’s anti-inflammatory

The antioxidants in grapeseed oil may also help combat chronic inflammation.

Inflammation is an unwieldy beast. It flares up in response to everything from infection to autoimmune conditions. But if your body’s on fire because of oxidative stress or obesity, the antioxidants in grapeseed oil have been linked to improved inflammatory response.

It’s antimicrobial

Research is ongoing, but a 2019 review of grapeseed extract — a similar product to grapeseed oil — concluded that it squashes bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Keep in mind that grapeseed extract is probably more potent than grapeseed oil. The extract is available as a supplement, while the oil is consumed in small quantities as a cooking agent or salad dressing ingredient.

Though you won’t find grapeseed oil in the beauty aisle, it might just be the new shining star of your skin care routine. You’ll def be tempted to keep it in your pantry and on your skin care shelf with these potential skin perks.

It’ll make your skin bouncy and soft

Oils are the OG moisturizers, after all. But older research (2010, y’all) shows that grapeseed oil stands out when it comes to improving the following:

Whether you dab it on straight or mix a few drops into your daily moisturizer, grapeseed oil is sure to quench thirsty skin.

It supports wound healing

Let’s keep it 100: Research on grapeseed oil for skin is still pretty limited. But one research review concluded that this bad boy is effective at healing wounds like burns and scars.

A 2016 animal study found that grapeseed oil healed wounds faster than a pharmaceutical healing cream. Of course, we need more research on people to pinpoint the best dose and method.

It might treat acne

Remember how grape seeds have antimicrobial properties? The theory is that dabbing the oil on acne-prone skin could kill off zit-forming bacteria.

TBH, the research on this is slim. We need more studies to confirm whether grapeseed oil can truly clear up acne.

It wards off sun damage

Evidence is slim (again!), but the antioxidants in grapeseed oil might help protect your skin from UV damage.

A 2011 review suggested that grapeseed oil could help keep skin from absorbing the full onslaught of UV rays.

Though results are promising, the slim research is *not* a reason to swap your sunscreen for an oily shimmer. Stick to your standard SPF and think of grapeseed’s protection as a potential bonus.

For most folks, no. Grapeseed oil is considered safe for general consumption and topical application.

As with any new skin care product, it’s best to do a patch test before applying grapeseed oil to your whole face. Dab a bit on your wrist or ankle, then wait 24 hours to ensure you don’t develop an allergic reaction.

When it comes to cooking, grapeseed oil is safe in moderation for most people. But experts do warn that it *might* be best to use a different oil if you:

  • have a blood disorder
  • are prepping for surgery
  • take blood-thinning meds

Lack of research also means we don’t know if grapeseed oil poses a risk to pregnant peeps. So, if you have a bun in the oven, you should avoid ingesting the oil.

Using grapeseed oil is super simple. Start with a bottle of pure, 100 percent grapeseed oil from a reputable brand.

For cooking…

It doesn’t get any simpler. You can use grapeseed oil just like you’d use olive oil.

A few ideas:

For skin care…

Unlike essential oils, grapeseed oil doesn’t need to be diluted before applying it to your face. Here are some easy ways to add it to your DIY skin care game:

  • Apply it straight on dry areas as a serum.
  • Mix a drop or two into your moisturizer or face cream to bump up the hydration.
  • Use it for oil cleansing or double cleansing at the end of the day.
  • Indulge your shoulders or partner with a grapeseed oil massage (pro tip: rub your hands together to warm the oil in your palms).
  • Use it as a carrier oil for your favorite essential oils — lavender or frankincense, anyone?

For hair…

Want luscious locks and a healthy scalp? Welcome to hair oiling 101.

  1. Drizzle 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil onto your head. Use your fingertips to massage it into your hair and scalp.
  2. Put your hair under wraps with a shower cap or towel. Leave it covered overnight.
  3. In the a.m., apply shampoo directly onto your oily strands (no water yet!).
  4. Lather up, then rinse, rinse, rinse.
  5. Follow up with conditioner.
  6. Try not to touch your soft, hydrated locks all day long.

Grapeseed oil, a natural byproduct of grape seeds, can be used for both cooking and DIY beauty. Though research is slim, it offers several potential health and skin perks.

When consumed, grapeseed oil might protect your body from oxidative stress, inflammation, and bad bacteria.

Applied topically, grapeseed oil can nourish dry skin and potentially ward off sun damage and acne breakouts. Some folks also use it as a moisturizing hair mask.

Bottom line: This natural oil is a healthy, affordable way to level up your pantry or bathroom cabinet.