Introduction 

1. Definition: Safflower seed oil, also known as safflower oil, is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, a plant belonging to the genus Carthamus in the Asteraceae family; it is entirely distinct from saffron. With a linoleic acid content ranging from 67.8% to 83%, it is often hailed as the “king of linoleic acid.” It is a highly nutritious, light‑weight, health‑promoting edible vegetable oil that offers both culinary and skincare benefits. 
2. Appearance: A clear, pale yellow oil, free of turbidity and completely transparent. 
3. Odor: Light nutty aroma, no off‑odors; refined grades are odorless. 
4. Characteristics: Drying oil, excellent antioxidant properties, and resistant to rancidity. 
5. Extraction Process: 
• Low-temperature physical pressing: washing → drying → dehulling → cold-pressing below 40°C → filtration → refining (decolorization/deodorization), maximizing the retention of linoleic acid (≥74%) and vitamin E, with no chemical residues and superior quality. 
• Chemical leaching (standard type): solvent extraction → desolvation → refining; low cost but significant nutrient loss, with the potential for trace residues. 

Nutritional Information (per 100 g) 

1. Fatty acid composition (high linoleic acid type) 
• Linoleic acid (ω-6): 67.8%–83% (an essential fatty acid that the human body cannot synthesize). 
• Oleic acid (ω-9): 11%–15%. 
• Palmitic acid: 5%–9%; stearic acid: 1%–4.9% (low in saturated fat). 
2. Active ingredient 
• Vitamin E: 77.8 mg (antioxidant, skin‑protecting). 
• Phytosterols: 300–400 mg (helps lower cholesterol and supports vascular health). 
• Gamma-oryzanol and flavonoids (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant). 
• Zero cholesterol, zero trans fats. 

Product Efficacy 

1. Protects cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health; lowers blood lipids. 
• Linoleic acid lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), raises good cholesterol (HDL), and reduces lipid deposition in blood vessels. 
• Helps prevent hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke, and is hailed as the “vascular scavenger.” 
• Take 20–30 ml daily; after 4 weeks, it can reduce cholesterol by more than 10%. 
2. Antioxidant and anti-aging effects 
• Vitamin E, flavonoids, and sterols neutralize free radicals, reduce cellular damage, and help slow the aging of skin and organs. 
3. Promotes bowel movements and boosts metabolism 
• High levels of unsaturated fatty acids lubricate the intestines, promote peristalsis, relieve constipation, and accelerate metabolism. 
4. Skincare and beauty, barrier repair 
• Fast-absorbing when applied topically, it feels lightweight and non-comedogenic, while deeply moisturizing dry skin, soothing sensitive skin, and providing anti-inflammatory relief. It can also be used as a base oil for skincare or hair care. 
5. Promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation (traditional value) 
• According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” safflower seed oil promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, unblocks the meridians, and relieves pain; it is suitable for individuals experiencing dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea due to blood stagnation (contraindicated in pregnant women). 

Application Areas 

• Food applications: home salads, low- and high-temperature cooking, direct consumption; food processing (baking, blended oils, etc.), and meal‑replacement formulations. 
• Pharmaceutical and healthcare sector: health supplement ingredients (lipid‑lowering, vascular‑protective), pharmaceutical excipients, traditional Chinese medicine–based dietary therapy (for blood stasis regulation), and nutritional supplementation for special populations. 
• Beauty and skincare sector: base oils for skincare, hair‑care formulations, massage carrier oils, and infant‑and‑toddler skincare recipes. 
• Industrial applications: high-grade paint and coating raw materials, biodiesel, soap manufacturing, and light‑industry lubricants. 
• Other: additives for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feeds; raw materials for handmade cosmetics and aromatherapy.