Grapeseed oil: properties, uses on the face, and contraindications

Grapeseed oil — also called grape seed oil or grape kernel seed oil, and listed on labels as Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil — is easily absorbed by the skin, leaving it soft to the touch and non-greasy. It has a light texture, much less heavy than other vegetable oils, which makes it particularly suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.

Lightweight and versatile, it is used in cosmetics for its antioxidant and anti-aging properties. It also promotes the absorption of other cosmetic ingredients and acts as a carrier oil for more intense oils.

Rich in phytosterols, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, it is a valuable resource for skincare. Let's look at its properties, how to use it, and the two questions that come up most often: whether it can be applied pure and whether it can cause harm.

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What is grapeseed oil?

This oil is obtained by cold-pressing the seeds found in grapes — the grape seeds, that is. Vitis vinifera grape seed oil therefore comes from what would otherwise be a byproduct of winemaking, and also represents a sustainable solution. It is an oil that easily suits all skin types.

It helps even out the complexion and reduce the appearance of skin discoloration, while also soothing skin stressed by sun exposure.

The properties of grapeseed oil

The extract of Vitis vinifera is a valuable anti-aging ally thanks to its antioxidant properties and its support for the skin's microcirculation.

Grapeseed oil contains:

• Essential fatty acids (linoleic or omega-6, oleic, palmitic, and stearic);
• Vitamin E, firming and antioxidant;
• Phytosterols;
• Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), powerful antioxidants.

In particular, phytosterols help modulate inflammatory mediators and consequently reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidant power of grapeseed oil is mainly due to the presence of vitamin E and proanthocyanidins.

The latter help protect collagen from damage caused by free radicals, helping prevent the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin E, for its part, acts as a firming and soothing agent.

Omega-6 linoleic acid helps retain moisture by preventing water from evaporating, and has a soothing effect. Omega-9 oleic acid improves softness and elasticity. Completing the picture, palmitic acid has emollient properties, while stearic acid contributes to the formula's structure.

The feature that sets it apart from other plant oils: grapeseed oil contains approximately 70% linoleic acid, one of the highest percentages of all. This is the technical reason it works well on oily skin, where other oils feel heavy—sebum in people with blemish-prone skin is often particularly low in linoleic acid.

Its antimicrobial properties also make it suitable for acne-prone skin. It is also non-comedogenic and light enough to absorb without leaving a greasy feel.

Is grapeseed oil harmful?

It is one of the most frequently asked questions, and it stems from a misunderstanding worth clarifying right away: it is not harmful to the skin; in fact, it is among the plant oils with the best tolerability profiles. The concerns that circulate involve three different things, and only one is relevant to cosmetics.

The omega-6 debate concerns food, not your face

For years, there has been debate about whether too much omega-6 in the diet may promote inflammation, and seed oils often end up at the center of the discussion. That debate concerns dietary intake—that is, how much of those fats are eaten each day compared with omega-3s. Applying an oil to the skin is an entirely different matter: linoleic acid applied topically strengthens the skin barrier, because it is one of the building blocks of ceramides. The same distinction applies to many ingredients: what happens when a substance is eaten does not transfer to what happens when it is applied.

The extraction method really does make a difference

This concern is well founded. Some grapeseed oils on the market, especially those intended for industrial food use, are extracted with chemical solvents and then refined at high temperatures; the result is an oil with less vitamin E and fewer proanthocyanidins—precisely the molecules for which it is chosen. Cold-pressed oil retains its antioxidant content. That is the information to look for on the label.

Rancid oil really is irritating

Because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, grapeseed oil oxidizes when exposed to light or heat or left open for too long. Oxidized oil has a pungent smell and may be irritating when applied to the skin: many reactions attributed to the ingredient are actually caused by improper storage. The same rule applies to all plant oils—use a dark container, keep it away from radiators, and follow the PAO after opening.

There are also two obvious precautions: anyone with a known allergy to grapes or their derivatives should avoid it, and those with very reactive skin should patch-test it in the crook of the elbow before applying it to the face.

Can pure grapeseed oil be used on the face?

Yes, and it is one of the few plant oils that works well undiluted even on combination or oily skin, thanks to its very low comedogenic index and lightweight texture. Three sensible ways to use it:

1. As a makeup remover: massage it onto dry skin, emulsify with a little water, and rinse. It dissolves makeup through affinity without stripping the hydrolipidic film.
2. As the final step in your evening routine: pat two or three drops over your moisturizer to seal in hydration. Applied before moisturizer, however, it hinders its absorption.
3. As an occasional booster: mix one drop into your usual moisturizer during periods when your skin looks drier or duller.

One small tip makes a difference: on slightly damp skin, the oil spreads better and you need half as much product. And any excess does not penetrate further—it stays on the surface and leaves a greasy feeling that wrongly makes you think the oil “isn't suitable.”

That said, in cosmetics it is more often found already formulated, with a calibrated dosage, while the formula itself protects the oil from oxidation: it is the simplest way to enjoy its benefits without having to worry about storage.

Where to find grapeseed oil

Thanks to these properties, grape seed oil is suitable for various types of products: creams, face serums, and cleansers.

Cosmetic companies often use it as a natural alternative to synthetic emollients. It is important to know its origin and make sure it is an organic extract, preferably from a local supply chain.

LeLang chose to include Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil in the gentle cleanser Cleansing Gentle Oil: a cleansing oil that removes makeup and impurities without affecting the skin barrier.

It contains hazelnut oil, carrot oil, almond oil, and cold-pressed grapeseed oil from organic sources. The formula is completed by soothing organic calendula extract and pomegranate extract.

Gentle Oil is perfect as the first step in double cleansing and is suitable for dry, oily, or blemished skin.

It is also found in Vitis Eyes Contour, where it works on the eye area alongside resveratrol.

The complete list of LeLang formulas containing it can be found in the grapeseed oil ingredient page.

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of grapeseed oil for the face?

It has antioxidant properties thanks to vitamin E and proanthocyanidins, helps maintain hydration, and improves the skin’s perceived softness and elasticity. Its distinctive advantage is its lightweight feel: it absorbs quickly and is non-comedogenic, making it suitable even for people with oily or combination skin who generally avoid oils.

Are grapeseed oil and grape seed oil the same thing?

Yes. Grape seeds are the seeds contained in grapes, so “grapeseed oil,” “grape seed oil,” and “grape seed oil” refer to the same product. On the label, it appears as Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil. Do not confuse it with grape leaf extract (Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract), which has a different composition and function.

How do you use grapeseed oil on your face?

There are three main ways. As a makeup remover, massage it onto dry skin and rinse; as the last step in your evening routine, apply a few drops over your moisturizer to seal in moisture; or add one drop to your usual moisturizer when your skin feels drier.

What are the contraindications of grapeseed oil?

It is one of the best-tolerated vegetable oils and has a very low comedogenic rating. There are few precautions: avoid it in case of an allergy to grapes or grape derivatives, and make sure it is cold-pressed and properly stored, because like all oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids, it tends to go rancid when exposed to light and heat. Oxidized oil is more irritating than fresh oil.

Is it suitable for oily, blemish-prone skin?

In fact, it is one of the few oils recommended in that case. This is due to its high percentage of linoleic acid: the sebum of people with acne-prone skin is often low in it, and sebum low in linoleic acid is denser and more likely to clog pores. It is still only an adjunct: for acne itself, a complete protocol is needed.

Is it useful for dark circles?

The eye area benefits from its lightness and antioxidant properties, which is why it appears in several eye contour formulas. For vascular dark circles, however, the oil alone is not enough: you need active ingredients that act on the microcirculation, such as caffeine or drainage-supporting peptides.

You can also find LeLang products at partner pharmacies throughout Italy.