Sensitive skin The just-out research found that when the natural oil is used in cleansers, it reduced the type of irritation that surfactants (a fancy name for the sudsy bubbles that get grime off your skin) can cause in sensitive skin—think redness and that stinging, chapped feeling your skin gets following a too-intense cleanse. But not all oils are up to the task, it seems: The researchers tested another type of oil (mineral oil, a petroleum-derived liquid) in cleansers, to see if it would help, too, but it didn’t measure up. Put it to use: A sunflower seed oil-containing cleanser, like June Jacobs Anti-Aging Blemish Control Foaming Facial Cleanser ($48, junejacobs.com), Olay 2 in 1 Essential Oils Ribbons Moisturizing Body Wash ($6, drugstore.com), or Ulta’s Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap ($6, ulta.com), will satisfy your need for suds and keep your skin happy. If you’re okay with skipping oil-removing surfactants completely, cleansing oils, milks, or creams are typically gentle alternatives. MORE: 10 Smoothies For Prettier Skin Dry skin Sure, you know that oils do dry skin good, but it’s always nice to know you have options beyond the aforementioned coconut oil. A study in Pediatric Dermatology found that sunflower seed oil improves skin hydration by spurring the production of ceramides and cholesterol, two key components of healthy skin cells. “In a nutshell, having more ceramides equals softer, smoother skin,” explains Julia Tzu, MD, a board certified dermatologist at Wall Street Dermatology in New York City. Put it to use: The study suggests applying pure sunflower seed oil directly to skin, though Tzu recommends only doing so in drier areas of the body, like the arms, torso, and legs, because it can be too heavy and pore-clogging for more delicate areas like the face and décolleté. To bump up skin softness in these spots without the chance of clogged pores, pick a product specifically designed for the area, like John Masters Organics Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil ($30, johnmasters.com)—despite its fruity name, sunflower oil is actually the main ingredient in this elixir. MORE: 7 Natural DIY Fixes For Dry Skin
