Can Meadowfoam Seed Oil Improve the Health of Your Hair and Skin?

Meadowsweet seed oil is relatively lesser known compared to other oils commonly used in cosmetics, such as coconut oil and jojoba oil.While you may not have heard of meadowsweet seed oil, its unique chemical structure has the potential to moisturize your hair and skin without leaving a greasy feel, although more research is needed on this front.Spiraea Seed Oil is extracted from the seeds of the white-flowering Spiraea plant native to Oregon, California, and western Canada.The plant also has the botanical name Limnanthes alba.

Meadowfoam seed oil benefits 

Research on the health benefits of meadowsweet oil for skin and hair is very limited.Depending on the properties of the oil, most benefits are either anecdotal or theoretical.Here are some of the potential benefits of meadowsweet oil for your skin, hair, and overall health.

Meadowfoam seed oil skin benefits

According to a 2017 study, meadowsweet seed oil can be applied to hair or skin as an emollient.Emollients are substances that form a protective seal on your skin to lock in moisture. Other emollients commonly used in skin care products include:

• Shea Butter

• Avocado oil

• Macadamia Nut Butter

When used topically, emollients smooth your skin and help keep it supple.Most commercial moisturizers are formulated with emollients, along with other ingredients that draw moisture into the skin.Spiraea seed oil has several properties that may make it a good addition to your skin care routine.It contains more than 98% long-chain fatty acids, making it one of the most stable of all vegetable oils, with a long shelf life without losing its potency.Plus, meadowsweet oil doesn't leave a greasy feel when applied to the skin like other emollients.

Meadowfoam seed oil for stretch marks

A 2016 review of studies found that a combination of shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, and spiraea seed oil worked well for stretch marks. While it's impossible to draw conclusions from this single study, it's at least one potential area for future research.A small 2016 study found that a combination of argan oil and other emollients also had positive effects in treating stretch marks early on. However, the study had only 22 participants, and the researchers did not specifically test meadowsweet seed oil.

Meadowfoam seed oil for sun damage

A 2018 laboratory study examined two chemicals derived from meadowfoam foam, called 3-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate and 3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile, to assess whether they Protects skin from UVB rays in the sun.The researchers exposed isolated human skin cells and human skin grown in vitro to ultraviolet light, and they found that the two chemicals did provide protection.The same researchers are also studying the photoprotective effects of chemicals in seed flour, a by-product of the production of spiraea seed oil.

Meadowfoam seed oil hair benefits

The emollient properties of meadowsweet seed oil make it possible to keep hair hydrated by locking in moisture.Keeping your hair hydrated can prevent:

• Brittle

• Tangle

• Frizz

• Dull

A type of meadowfoam seed oil called dimeadowfoamamidoethylmonium methosulfate is sometimes used in conditioners to create a protective seal on the hair.It is thought that conditioners containing meadowsweet seed oil may be a good choice for color-treated hair as it has antioxidant properties and minimizes color loss compared to other oils.

Potential side effects of meadowfoam seed oil

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that meadowsweet seed oil is safe for use in cosmetics based on current scientific evidence.However, any time you start using a new cosmetic product, there is a chance of an allergic reaction. Some common symptoms of a cosmetic allergy include:

• Hives

• Redness

• Tingling

• Swelling

• Itching

• Rash

• Skin inflammation

Scaly skin

Oozing blisters

Whenever you start a new skin or hair product, it's a good idea to do a patch test: apply the product to a small area of skin, wait 24 hours to see how it reacts, and then apply it to sensitive areas such as the face area or scalp.