Understanding Whether This Natural Oil Is Healthy or Not

By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH 

Updated on October 23, 2023

 Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND

Grapeseed oil is healthy because it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids can help protect against free radical damage to slow aging, help prevent certain chronic conditions, and improve skin health.

This article explores what grapeseed is, the potential health benefits, and the risks to avoid.

Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell

What Is Grapeseed Oil and How Is it Made?

Grapeseed oil is the oil that is extracted from grape seeds. It usually comes from the seeds leftover from grapes used in the winemaking process. Grapeseed oil has become a popular supplement. 

Nutritional Information

Grapeseed oil is rich in nutrients like omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. One tablespoon of grapeseed oil contains:¹

• Calories: 120

• Total fat: 13.6 grams

• Saturated fat: 1.3 grams

• Trans fat: 0 grams

• Polyunsaturated fat: 9.5 grams

• Monounsaturated fat: 2.2 grams

• Cholesterol: 0 milligrams

• Sodium: 0 milligrams

• Total carbohydrates: 0 grams

• Sugars: 0 grams

• Protein: 0 grams

• Vitamin E: 4 grams

Grapeseed oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and contains a variety of compounds and antioxidants, including tocopherol, linolenic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, procyanidins, carotenoids, and phytosterols, which help slow aging and fight off diseases. 

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Our bodies do not make these healthy fats, so it is essential that we get them in our diets. Adding grapeseed oil to our diets, such as cooking with it, has a variety of health benefits.

Omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial for the heart and circulation. A 2019 study found higher levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were associated with lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and even early death.²

A diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids has also been associated with better protection against the sun.³ This is because these compounds can reduce inflammation in the body and improve the pain and swelling from sunburns. It can protect our skin better against the sun’s harmful rays.

Another benefit of better skin protection is brighter, more youthful-looking skin. Omega-6 fatty acids can help protect against signs of skin aging, like wrinkles and dryness.³  

Lastly, omega-6 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, which may explain how they may speed wound healing.⁴

Vitamin E

Grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as polyphenols. Antioxidants protect against free radical damage and help to prevent certain types of cancer. Grapeseed oil has more vitamin E than soybean or olive oil.

Antioxidants can strengthen our immune system and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. They also lower inflammation in the body, which protects us from chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.⁵ 

 6 Essential Vitamins for Skin Health

What Are the Health Benefits of Grapeseed Oil?

Grapeseed oil is rich in nutrients, and that means potential health and beauty benefits.

Improved Elasticity

Grapeseed oil gets its beauty benefits from its fatty acids; these compounds can help to rebuild collagen in the skin. As we age, our skin loses collagen, and that can contribute to dullness and sagging skin. Collagen gives skin that youthful bounce and glow. 

Topical application may be a more efficient route of delivery for skin benefits.³

Moisturizing

Thanks to its fatty acid composition, grapeseed oil is an ultra-hydrating oil for our skin. If you tend to experience skin dryness, especially in the winter, consider applying a grapeseed oil moisturizer after showering or washing your hands to provide a protective layer. 

Scar Reduction

The fatty acids in grapeseed oil have been proven to decrease inflammation in the body.⁴ This can help to heal wounds faster and reduce scarring caused by chronic inflammation of the wound.

Beneficial for Sensitive Skin

Because grapeseed oil has compounds that moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation, it is a promising treatment for people with sensitive skin. The redness, itching, and burning that come with skin sensitivity may be soothed and protected with a topical grapeseed oil lotion or cream.³  

 Why Is My Skin so Sensitive?

Other Health Benefits

The possible benefits of grapeseed oil don’t just stop at great skin. Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, grapeseed oil may provide health benefits, such as:

• Reduced inflammation: Chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders.⁶⁷

• Reduced insulin resistance: A risk factor for type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance occurs when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't easily take up glucose from your blood.⁶

• Reduced blood clotting: Preventing blood clots can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.⁸⁹

There is limited research on the health benefits of grapeseed oil. Additional clinical studies are needed to determine the extent of potential health benefits. 

Is Grapeseed Oil Good to Cook With?

Packed with healthy fats, grapeseed oil makes great cooking oil. It has a neutral taste, so it works well when you don't want the oil to impart flavor like other oils such as olive, coconut, peanut, and sesame oil.

It also has a relatively high smoke point, making it a safe choice. An oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which the oil starts to break down from the heat and loses its benefits. Grapeseed oil’s smoke point is 420 degrees F, higher than both olive and vegetable oils.¹⁰ 

Grapeseed Oil vs. Olive Oil

Grapeseed oil and olive oil contain some similar nutrients. However, olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, while grapeseed oil provides more polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E.

Including both oils in your diet may be the best solution to get a variety of healthy fats and antioxidants to support heart health and overall well-being.

Types of Grapeseed Oils

Depending on the benefits you're looking for, grapeseed oil can be taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

Consumable 

Grapeseed oil is naturally found in grapes, but won’t pack the same nutritional punch. Grapes are a healthy snack but don’t have the same concentration of antioxidants and healthy fats as the extracted oil does.

There are three different forms of grapeseed oil:

• Refined: The oil is extracted from the dried seeds and is treated with chemical solvents that help extract more oil and give it a higher smoke point. However, they tend to reduce the oil's nutritional profile in the process.

• Cold-pressed: The oil is manually or mechanically pressed and filtered to extract the oil. Chemicals and heat are not used in this process. These oils have a shorter shelf-life and lower smoke point.

• Organic: The oil is made from organic seeds and is cold-pressed since chemical solvents are not organic.

Grapeseed oil is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. As with any dietary supplement, the National Institutes of Health recommends always checking its Supplement Facts label and talking with your healthcare provider before taking it.¹¹ 

Topical

Topical grapeseed oil products are popping up on grocery shelves and natural beauty shops. Most oils and lotions containing grapeseed oil are meant to be used once per day. Apply your product after washing your skin with a gentle cleanser.

Grapeseed oil should dry completely once applied and won’t leave a sticky or greasy feeling, so it can be applied morning or night. Avoid trying a topical option if you are currently using any harsh skin care treatments like retinol or salicylic acid, as it could cause irritation. 

Does It Help With Acne?

Acne is caused by clogged pores on the surface of the skin. Our pores can become clogged with dirt or bacteria, leading to an acne breakout.

Grapeseed oil has antimicrobial properties, which means it can kill bacteria. While there are no large-scale studies proving a link between grapeseed oil and acne prevention, it may be worth a try.

What Are the Risks of Grapeseed Oil?

While grapeseed oil is natural and safe, there are possible risks due to how it is extracted.

Most grapeseed oil products on the store shelves have been extracted using a chemical like hexane. This makes the extraction process easier and cheaper, but hexane is classified as a neurotoxin—a substance that changes the normal activity of the nervous system and potentially disrupts or kills nerve cells.

It’s unclear how much of the chemical is present in grapeseed oil products, but most experts recommend using grapeseed oil that has been cold-pressed since this process does not involve any chemicals.

Grapeseed oil can also be extracted using heat, but that process may inactivate any of its beneficial properties. 

What About Allergic Reactions?

If you have never used grapeseed oil products before, consider starting with a drop on a tiny patch of skin. If you don’t notice any reactions, such as redness or itching, then it is probably safe to try a larger amount.

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to grapes, then it’s best to avoid grapeseed oil. 

Summary

Because grapeseed oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants it could be beneficial for skin elasticity, moisturizing, and scar reduction. While the potential benefits sound promising, more research is needed to confirm the skin health benefits and evaluate its use for possible disease prevention.

Fortunately, the risk of any side effects is extremely low, making it a worthwhile option for minor skin irritations.