Vegetable Oil Used in Dermatology - Benefits and Adverse Effects

Introduction

Vegetable oil has been used as a natural skin moisturizer for a long time. Vegetable oils were first used as skin moisturizers in China in the second century BC. Vegetable oils can be used at any age for soothing and moisturizing the skin. Vegetable oils are widely used for neonates and infants to protect their delicate skin from trauma and other infections. Most vegetable oils are commonly used in India. However, people should be aware of vegetable oils' advantages and harmful effects. Vegetable oil, like mustard and almond oil, might have detrimental effects on the skin.

What Are Vegetable Oils?

Plants are the source of vegetable oils, from oil seeds, nuts, legumes, or the flesh of some fruits. The highest concentration from the plant seeds and nuts will produce vegetable oils. The main component of vegetable oil is composed of triglycerides, along with minor amounts of mono and bi-glycerides. Vegetable oils can be either saturated oil or unsaturated oil. For example, coconut oil and palm oil are saturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are present in other vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are typically oily and have a pleasant smell. These vegetable oils also contain some components that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the skin.

The composition of vegetable oils is mentioned below.

• Phospholipids.

• Sulpholipids.

• Glycolipids.

• Sphingolipids.

• Waxes.

• Squalene, which is a hydrocarbon.

• Pigments include carotenoids and chlorophyll.

• Vitamin E.

• Phytosterols.

• Polyphenols.

• Triterpene alcohol.

What Are the Commonly Used Vegetable Oils in Dermatology?

Many types of vegetable oils are used in various skin conditions due to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Vegetable oils are used by people of all ages and prominently in infantile skincare, like oil massage. Moreover, they play a vital role in Ayurveda due to their skin rejuvenation properties.

Some of the vegetable oils that are most commonly used are as given below.

• Coconut oil is a natural skin moisturizer.

• Corn oil.

• Cocoa butter.

• Palm kernel oil.

• Palm oil.

• Soybean oil.

• Rapeseed oil.

• Olive oil.

• Sunflower seed oil.

• Almond oil.

• Borage oil contains antioxidant properties.

• Avocado oil.

• Evening primrose oil has antioxidant properties.

• Shea butter.

• Argan oil.

What Are the Benefits of Vegetable Oil?

Vegetable oils add numerous benefits to the skin. Vegetable oils strengthen the barrier function of the skin. These oils also help improve the thermoregulation property of the skin. The other skin benefits of vegetable oil are mentioned below.

• Improvement in thermoregulatory skin properties.

• Effective emollient.

• Effective skin moisturizer.

• Nourishes the fragile skin.

• Vegetable oils also help increase fat absorption in the skin.

• Vegetable oil enhances skin nutrition.

• Vegetable oils in oil massage will increase vagal activity, thereby improving weight gain.

• Vegetable oils are readily available, and the cost is very minimal.

• Coconut oils are widely available and are used for oil massage. In addition, coconut oil will improve tactile and kinesthetic stimulation.

• Sunflower oil enhances skin hydration by increasing the integrity of the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis.

• Sunflower oil enhances skin maturation, weight gain, and length gain in neonates.

• Transcutaneous absorption of coconut oil and sunflower oil adds nutrition to neonates and infants.

What Are the Benefits of Oil Massage?

Oil massage on the infantile skin has several beneficial effects. However, a proper technique is required to obtain maximum skin benefits. Strong massage will cause physical injuries and infections to the skin. A vigorous massage should be avoided.

The skin benefits obtained from oil massage with vegetable oils are given below.

• Weight gain.

• Better sleep.

• Emotional bonding.

• Enhanced neuromotor development.

• Reduce the risk of nosocomial infections in babies.

• Increased gastric motility.

• Increased weight gain in the babies.

What Is the Role of Vegetable Oils in the Treatment of Dermatology?

Vegetable oils are used as adjuvants in dermatological treatments. The remarkable properties of vegetable oils, such as emollients and humectants, are used in several dermal diseases. Also, excessive dryness in the skin and the transepidermal water loss of the epidermis are treated with vegetable oils.

Vegetable oil's role in treating dermal conditions is mentioned below.

• Coconut oil provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

• Cilantro oil and eucalyptus oil have antibacterial properties.

• Vegetable oils are an essential therapeutic regimen in Ayurveda treatment.

• Sesame oil and coconut oil are the most commonly used oils in Ayurveda.

• Vegetable oil on hair will significantly reduce pruritus and improve hair texture.

• Vegetable oil also reduces scalp scaling.

• Vegetable oil helps improve the skin's complexion, softness, and luster.

• Hair tissue rejuvenation, hair strength, and stamina are improved by applying coconut oil to the hair.

• Argan oil is used in treating acne as it helps regulate sebum secretion, and argan oil also has moisturizing, anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.

What Are the Adverse Effects of Vegetable Oils in Dermatology?

It is also reported that some vegetable oils have adverse effects. Vegetable oils' negative impact on the skin is mentioned below.

• Mustard oil and almond oil will cause contact dermatitis in some cases.

• Pityriasis rosea-like eruptions can occur due to the effects of mustard oil.

• Contact with residual coconut oil and other herbal oils can cause lichenoid dermatitis.

• Olive oil sometimes causes harmful effects on neonatal skin.

• Argan oil causes contact dermatitis in infants.

• Olive oil encourages the growth of Malassezia.

• Adverse effects are minimal in coconut oil, sunflower, and safflower oil.

Conclusion

Vegetable oil is widely used in several dermal conditions. Also, vegetable oils are readily available at a low cost and nourish the skin. Vegetable oils are very beneficial for neonatal and infantile skin. Increased vagal activity in oil massage helps babies gain weight and length. Skin and hair are nourished with vegetable oil. Vegetable oils are the primary therapeutic regimen in Ayurveda treatment. However, some adverse effects of vegetable oils include contact dermatitis and lichenoid dermatitis. Coconut oil and sunflower oil have minimal side effects compared to other oils. The proven efficacy, easy availability, affordability, and safety make vegetable oil the best therapeutic recourse for certain dermal diseases.