Safflower Oil: A Deep Dive Into Its Nutritional Profile & Skin Health Benefits

Take a peek at the nutrition panel on a bottle of dressing, bag of chips, or container of pre-popped popcorn, and there's a chance you'll see safflower oil listed in the ingredients section. The oil is a staple ingredient in processed foods and is ideal for high-temperature cooking, but how does its nutritional profile stack up against other popular cooking oils?

Safflower oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the safflower plant, a member of the sunflower family1.

The flower thrives in arid climates2, such as those found in South Asia, China, India, Iran, and Egypt, and has long been used3 for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of menstrual pain and dysfunction, postpartum abdominal pain, and joint pain. Safflower oil in particular has been used2 in some areas of Asia and Africa to ease fevers, as well as in China, Japan, and Korea to improve4 skin and hair health.

Outside of medicinal purposes, safflower oil is also used as a cooking oil, thanks to its high smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, says Michelle Shapiro, R.D., a functional registered dietitian.

"Safflower oil, specifically high-oleic safflower oil, has a higher smoke point than other commonly used vegetable oils and is used for frying, sauteing, and other methods that may require high heat," she notes. "It can be heated to high temperatures without breaking down and releasing harmful compounds."

Since safflower oil is also nearly flavorless, it's commonly used in processed foods, including baked goods, chips, popcorn, margarine, salad dressings, mayonnaise, and snack bars, she says.

To extract safflower oil from the plant's seeds, processors may use chemical solvents (such as hexane) or supercritical carbon dioxide5 (aka high-pressure CO₂), says Shapiro.

Mechanical extraction methods are also used: In the cold-pressing process, safflower seeds are crushed and pressed, then the oil is extracted at a low temperature to maintain its nutritional value, she notes. The expeller-pressing process is similar, but the oil is extracted at a higher temperature, she says.

There is also some safflower oil that is extracted using both chemical and mechanical processes.

Though it depends on the batch, safflower oil usually contains low levels of saturated fat. Saturated fat can increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (aka LDL, or "bad") cholesterol and raise the risk for heart disease and stroke8 when consumed in excess. The oil also contains high amounts of unsaturated fats, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease9 when consumed in place of saturated fat.

On average, safflower oil contains about 16 to 20% monounsaturated fatty acids (in the form of oleic acid) and 71 to 75% polyunsaturated fatty acids (in the form of linoleic acid), according to research10 published in Metabolites. However, the exact ratio of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids can vary, depending on the specific type of oil, says Shapiro. 

Polyunsaturated fats can be divided into two categories: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, says Shapiro. "[Both] omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids must be consumed in the diet, but it is important that they are consumed in a balanced ratio," she explains. "In safflower oil, there are negligible amounts of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, [and] most of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in safflower oil are omega-6 fats."

Thanks to its low saturated fat and high unsaturated fat contents, safflower oil may improve heart health when consumed in moderation. In fact, reducing saturated fat intake and consuming polyunsaturated vegetable oil instead has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by roughly 30%, research shows13. 

What's more, "monounsaturated fatty acids can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation in the body," says Shapiro.

Safflower oil offers just under 5 milligrams of vitamin E, or about 31% of the recommended dietary allowance for the nutrient15 for individuals 14 years or older. The fat-soluble vitamin supports immune system functioning and may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health15.

With its moisturizing4 and anti-inflammatory16 properties, safflower oil can be a beneficial addition to skin care routines according to early research, says Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The oil's linoleic acid may help treat breakouts, making it a particularly useful ingredient for individuals with acne-prone skin, she notes. 

In addition, the oil is rich in antioxidants that can support wound healing, says Garshick. In a 2020 study3, researchers found that safflower oil's antioxidants demonstrated both antibacterial and antifungal effects, making it a suitable option to manage skin wounds and potential infections.

The omega-6 fatty acids found in safflower oil aren't inherently harmful to health. In fact, they serve as17 important structural components of cell membranes and provide energy. But it's important to keep your consumption of omega-6s balanced with omega-3 fatty acids.

"High omega-6 fatty acid intake can increase pro-inflammatory markers in the body when consumed in excess," says Shapiro. And most people eating a typical Western diet are consuming too many foods rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats and not enough sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, she adds.

Although safflower oil is relatively low in saturated fat compared to other cooking oils, it could be potentially harmful when consumed in excess.

Reminder: Consuming too much saturated fat may lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, decreasing blood flow19 to the heart, brain, and kidneys, and can raise LDL cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the National Library of Medicine.

In the United States, safflower plants struggle to compete with weeds, particularly when they're in the rosette stage and before the stems elongate. Interference from weeds throughout the growing season can reduce safflower grain yields by 93%, so a weed control program, such as the use of herbicides, is necessary.

Some herbicides approved for use with safflower—including glyphosate—may harm the environment.

A recent assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency20 suggests that glyphosate poses potential ecological risks to terrestrial and aquatic plants, mammals, and birds, and the risk for bees is currently uncertain. Glyphosate tends to accumulate in topsoil21 and, due to surface runoff, soil drift, and other natural processes, may enter groundwater and surface water.

Safflower oil contains hearty-healthy unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants that support the immune system and fend off harmful free radicals. High-linoleic safflower oil, in particular, is rich in plant-based monounsaturated fats that may lower the risk22 of coronary heart disease when eaten in place of saturated fats. Safflower oil can also be a useful addition to your skin care routine.

A tablespoon of this fruit-derived oil offers24 14 grams of fat—just like safflower oil—and is rich in monounsaturated fat (9.88 grams) and low in polyunsaturated fat (1.89 grams). Avocado oil does contain a bit more saturated fat (1.62 grams) than safflower oil.

Is safflower oil better than olive oil? Olive oil contains25 14 grams of fat per tablespoon, most of which is monounsaturated fat (9.58 grams) and a little polyunsaturated fat (1.33 grams). Still, olive oil boasts double the amount of saturated fat (2.17 grams) as safflower oil.

The smoke point ranges from 350 to 470 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the exact variety. "Not only is [extra-virgin olive oil] the ideal choice at lower cooking temperatures, research shows that it is also more stable at higher temperatures than other common cooking oils," says Shapiro. Thanks to those properties, olive oil tends to be more versatile than safflower oil, and it offers more monounsaturated fats than its counterpart.

"In order to get the most benefit, it is best to look for a product that is cold-pressed and minimally processed," she explains. 

Some skin care products, including soaps, sunscreens, lotions, and moisturizers, are formulated with the ingredient, so turn to these products if you don't want to apply the oil directly. Just know that "[safflower oil] works well with other antioxidants, so [it] may be combined with other ingredients like vitamin C or vitamin E," adds Garshick.

The oil is generally well tolerated and can be used on all skin types—including sensitive or acne-prone skin, says Garshick.

With its unsaturated fat content and antioxidant properties, safflower oil is OK to consume in moderation, particularly when cooking at high temperatures. Plus, the cooking oil may keep your skin healthy and nourished when applied topically.

However, safflower oil does contain some LDL-cholesterol-raising saturated fat and boasts a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which may promote inflammation when consumed in excess. The herbicides used in safflower cultivation may also have environmental impacts.