The 10 Best Sunflower Oils
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Those into holistic treatments, alternative healing methods, and healthy eating have all discovered the merits of sunflower oil. High in oleic acid, it can be used in cooking, applied to the face or hair for cosmetic purposes, and rubbed over the body for massage therapy. We have included options suitable for all purposes, and made sure there were some good value options, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
June 30, 2020:
Depending on which you choose, sunflower oil can be used for cooking, as a skin or hair care product, for oil pulling, or simply for massages. Since there are so many uses for it, we wanted to make sure our list included at least a couple options well suited to each of these needs.
Those who are in search of an oil to cook with, perhaps to substitute in place of peanut oil or butter, should look to Baja Precious High Oleic, Spectrum Naturals High Heat, Smude's Brand High Oleic, and La Tourangelle High Oleic. Baja Precious High Oleic probably represents the best value for most, coming with one gallon for a very low price, though we do appreciate the Smude's Brand High Oleic comes in a glass jug, rather than a plastic one. La Tourangelle High Oleic also doesn't come in a plastic bottle, instead being packaged in a metal tin. However, it is worth noting that it may contain traces of peanuts, so it might not be suitable for some users. Spectrum Naturals High Heat is refined so, as the name tells you, can handle very high heats, and it is certified organic, as well as being 100-percent pure. That being said, they would all work well in a deep fryer
When it comes to hair and skin treatments, we have Artizen Therapeutic-Grade Sunflower, Maple Holistics Sunflower, Life-Flo Pure Sunflower, Banyan Botanicals Organic Sunflower, Plant Therapy Sunflower Carrier, and Pure Organics Sunflower Seed. Of these, only Life-Flo Pure Sunflower, Banyan Botanicals Organic Sunflower, and Plant Therapy Sunflower Carrier are certified organic, and Life-Flo Pure Sunflower is the only food-grade option, which means it is probably the best choice for pulling.
If you are looking for something to use as a carrier oil, whether for topical treatments or massages, Plant Therapy Sunflower Carrier makes a good choice because it has a light scent that won't overpower the fragrances of your essential oils. Artizen Therapeutic-Grade Sunflower could work well for this too, as it also has a somewhat mild scent.
Special Honors
Ostro Organics Cayenne Pepper Infused Raw Sunflower Oil If you want something with a little more kick than your average sunflower oil, this cayenne-infused option from Ostro Organics fits the bill. It is extra-cold pressed, unrefined, and a great choice for use in marinades, dips, and salad dressings. Plus, it is gluten free and vegan friendly, too. ostro-organics.com