Sunflower oil – long a kitchen pantry staple – is a low-cost, all-natural, healthy way to restore and maintain skin health. Perhaps the most important feature of sunflower oil is its high vitamin E content which is a known anti-oxidant and helps skin look younger by boosting collagen production and in turn reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Those same anti-oxidant properties make it useful to treat of various skin conditions such as psoriasis. There are also claims that vitamin E can prevent or reduce scars (acne scars, surgical scars and even stretch marks) and heal burned skin. Although the scientific jury is out, it likely can’t hurt. It can also increase the effectiveness of sunscreens and is therefore included in several sunscreen formulations. It has natural moisturizing properties that help to strengthen the skin’s barrier and also helps maintain the skin’s oil balance during cleansing. Unlike other vitamins, skin derives more of its benefits from vitamin E better through topical treatments than through oral supplements. However, taking vitamin E is a critical dietary ingredient that is important for overall health. Sunflower oil is also high in vitamins A, C and D, all of which have protective qualities.