What it is
Helianthus annuus extract is derived from parts of the sunflower plant and supplies a mix of plant constituents such as fatty acids, vitamin E, and polyphenols depending on how it is prepared. In sunscreens it is typically included as a skin-conditioning and antioxidant-supporting botanical that can lend a soothing, emollient feel. It should not be confused with sunflower seed oil, though the two share some constituents.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated on skin. People with known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae (daisy/composite) family may rarely react to sunflower-derived ingredients.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; obtained by extracting the seeds, flowers, or other aerial parts of the sunflower plant, Helianthus annuus.
Questions everyone asks
Is sunflower extract the same as sunflower oil?
Not exactly. Both come from the sunflower plant, but the extract is a broader botanical preparation, while the oil refers specifically to the pressed seed oil and is a separate listed ingredient.
Why is sunflower extract added to sunscreen?
It is used as a skin-conditioning botanical that provides emollient and antioxidant-supporting plant compounds to improve the overall feel of the formula.