Grape seed oil

Grape seed oil is pressed from the small seeds left over after grapes (Vitis vinifera) are crushed for wine and juice, which makes it a useful way of putting a by-product to good use. The seeds contain only around 6 to 20% oil, so a lot of seeds go into every bottle.

It is one of the richest plant sources of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that typically makes up 65 to 75% of the oil, with oleic acid making up much of the rest. It also contains vitamin E, especially tocotrienols, plus plant sterols and small amounts of polyphenols. On ingredient lists you will see Vitis vinifera seed oil, often in lightweight hair oils, serums and massage blends.

Grape seed oil conditions hair without weighing it down. Its light texture comes from its high linoleic acid content, which makes it feel thinner and less heavy than oils dominated by oleic acid, such as olive oil. Reviews of topical plant oils suggest that oils rich in linoleic acid tend to suit the skin barrier better than oleic-rich oils, which is one reason grape seed oil is popular for fine hair and oilier skin.