Unrefined, Unfermented Concord Grapeseed Oil & it's Skin Benefits
Skin hydration is important. After all, our skin is our body's largest organ. Keeping your skin moisturized will not only improve your skin's texture, but you'll look more youthful and radiant, too. But what's the best way to keep your skin hydrated?
For years, lotions were everyones favorite way to moisturize. However, most lotions are over 97% water, and can leave skin feeling dry again shortly after use. Lotions also contain chemical additives & preservatives, which can cause sensitive skin to become irritated. Many lotions contain parabens, phlatates, formaldehyde and other porentially harmful ingredients as well. With our population becoming more concious of the threats of such ingredients, many people are looking to natural, plant based oils to hydrate and soften their skin.
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So, you've decided to skip the lotion and you're looking for the perfect, natural oil to leave your skin soft, smooth and youthful looking. There are a few things you must consider when choosing an oil as a moisturizer for your skin
What is the texture of the oil? Most people prefer a light, easily absorbed oil to prevent a greasy after feel. This is why thick oils such as olive or avocado should be avoided. Choose an oil that is light in texture, like Royal Grapeseed Oil, for immediate skin hydration without an oily residue.
What is the comedogenic rating of the oil? The comedogenicity scale goes from 0-5. It rates oils tendency to clog pores, resulting in blemishes. Oils rated 0-2 are the perfect choice as a facial moisturizer because they are less likely to clog pores. Oils such coconut & flaxseed, or cocoa butter, have a comedogenic rating of 4, making them an unsuitable choice for anyone wanting to avoid breakouts. Royal Grapeseed Oil has a comedogenic rating of 2. Combined with our oil's natural astringent properties, it's a great choice for those with naturally oily or acne prone skin.
How was the oil extracted? The cheapest, most common way to extract oils from plant matter is with a chemical called hexane. Hexane is a solvent that can cause bodily harm if you are exposed to it for any period of time. This solvent is often used when the plant material is less than fresh, because hexane can still extract oil from spoiled, moldy plant matter. Alternately, the plant matter can be dried and extracted with nothing but pressure and low heat. This method results in "expeller extracted", "expeller pressed" or "cold pressed" oils. Royal Grapeseed uses a large expeller press, minimal heat, and no chemicals to extract oil from our freshly dried Concord Grapeseeds.
Has the oil been refined? All plant based oils contain the natural health benefits, such as antioxidants, vitamins & fatty acids, of the plant it's been extracted from. Yet most manufacturers will refine their oil to remove the color and aroma. The problem with this practice is that the refining process also removes any health benefit that may have been present to begin with. The refining process is done with harsh chemicals, which can cause harm and irritation to the skin. For any topical application, it is best to choose only unrefined, "virgin" oils, like Royal Grapeseed Oil. You'll know the oil is unrefined if it has an aroma similar to the plant it was extracted from. For example, Royal Grapeseed Oil has a light, fresh grape-y scent. If an oil smells "greasy", it is likely refined, and possibly rancid.
Clearly Royal Grapeseed's fresh, unfermented concord grapeseed oil is an ideal choice as an all natural moisturizer. We source our seeds from family farms in New York state, and every seed we press is at the peak of freshness. Within 24 hours, our concord grapes go from the vineyard, to the juicery, to our seed processing facility where we wash and dry the fresh seed. Because our seeds come from juice grapes, there is no fermentation occuring, and no sulfites are present. Our seeds are then pressed for oil without the use of any chemicals. Reach out to us today for a quote on bulk grapeseed oil, retail-ready grapeseed oil, or for bulk dried seeds for your own in-house extraction.