Latest news with #sunfloweroil
National Post
05-08-2025
- Health
- National Post
We stepped into the sunflower fields of Dyson Farm to learn more about its latest hair-care launch
Article content 'We were, at that time, starting to study the crops,' says Justina Mejia-Montane, senior vice-president of Global Product Innovation at Dyson Beauty. 'As the research was coming in for the sunflower seed oil, we recognized that it's chock full of omega fatty acids, and that actually is an ingredient that is really beneficial for dry hair. So we started playing around with, how do we incorporate this into a formulation?' Article content They first had to develop a cosmetic-grade ingredient that could be used in a mass hair-care product. Then, they had to find the right mix of oils that could nourish strands, without weighing them down. Article content The formulators settled on a mix of seven oils: sunflower, Abyssinian, macadamia, sesame, corn, olive and avocado. Aside from the sunflower seed oil, which is sourced from the Dyson Farm, the other raw oil materials for the blend are primarily sourced form France, Mejia-Montane notes. Article content 'We wanted a blend of different oils that would help to penetrate into the hair,' she says of the selection. 'It was quite a bit of trial-and-error to figure out what was the right combination of the different oils that didn't give you something that was too heavy and that they were all enhancing each other.' Article content Article content In development for about two years, the launch features a leave-in conditioning spray and a hair oil. Article content Rather than rely on silicones, which are a common ingredient in many smoothing hair-care products that can feel heavy or greasy on strands, the Dyson team looked to find nourishing ingredients that boasted the conditioning benefits, along with heat protection. Article content 'The team sought out to be able to find polymers. 'What are some of those polymers that really helped to maintain the curl retention?,' and that's how we uncovered Chitosan,' Mejia-Montane explains. 'And I would say that Omega is continuing on that story, because heat protection is something that continues to come up.' Article content With the new Omega products, the company now offers options for hydration, styling, heat protection and style retention. The Chitosan and Omega hair products are formulated to work both with Dyson and other heat-styling tools. Article content Mejia-Montane recommends applying the Omega leave-in spray — which she notes is 'like a cloud of moisture on the hair' — on damp strands post-shower, then following with the Chitosan pre-styling cream for those who have hair that's more resistant to styling techniques. Article content Article content Heat styling would follow, and then a few drops of the Omega oil can be applied to add shine and provide a 'humidity shield,' she notes. The Chitosan post-style serum could then be used to really lock in a style on more stubborn hair. Article content Dryness, a common hair concern that a Dyson study found one-in-three people worldwide deal with, can be caused by a variety of concerns including heat-treating, colouring, the environment, water hardness and more. Article content 'We want to ensure that we're kind of stress-testing it … so that it is able to solve the issue for consumers, no matter where they're living in the world, or if they're travelling as well,' Mejia-Montane says, noting the global testing Dyson carried out with the products before their release. Article content The beauty category, Mejia-Montane notes, has become a strong pillar for the business, which started with a home vacuum cleaner launched in May 1993. In 2022, Dyson invested half-a-billion GBP into hair-care research.
Daily Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Daily Telegraph
Inside Dyson's UK farm where its ‘top secret' new venture is finally revealed
Don't miss out on the headlines from Face & Body. Followed categories will be added to My News. When I scored an invite to find out how Dyson's 'top secret' new product was made, my mind conjured up images of a futuristic factory with robotic staff. So imagine my surprise when I ended up in a muddy field, sporting a pair of Hunter gumboots, somewhere in the middle of England. Unbeknown to me, the British tech-giant – famed the world over for its bagless, cordless vacuums and in more recent years its innovative hair tools – is also one of the UK's biggest farmers, producing potatoes, cereals and strawberries. It also generates energy for thousands of British homes. And it turns out, its farming arm has been busy growing a whole new crop, specifically to go in its newest innovation: the Dyson Omega nourishing range. Comprised (so far) of just two products, a leave-in conditioning spray, and a hydrating hair oil, both contain the 'Dyson Oli blend', made up of seven omega-rich oils to help improve hair health. But the star of that formulation blend is undoubtedly a sunflower oil harvested on Dyson's own farms in Lincolnshire. Of course, the ingredient isn't gleaned from any old sunflower. Dyson Farming trialled over 60 varieties of the iconic yellow flower to identify the breed richest in natural ceramides. SHOPPING: Buy Dyson's most iconic product here Dyson took inside its UK farm where it has been growing a top secret crop that powers its two newest formulations. Picture: The Dyson Omega nourishing range is launching with two hero products. Picture: Now there are over 800,000 sunflowers on the land, many of which are currently surrounding me in a field on a soggy summer's day in north east England. The flower's bright yellow hue goes as far as the eye can see. They're also incredibly tall, with some of towering over my 147cm frame, growing a staggering 6 feet (183cms) in height. Despite the seemingly endless sea of sunshine before me, Dyson said the sunflower crop takes up just 9 hectares of its 36,000 acres of working land – that's about the size of 20,000 football fields or over 100,000 Olympic swimming pools for those who, like me, aren't up to scratch on farming lingo. From farm to formulations But if you're wondering how on earth Dyson even got into agricultural work, let alone its path to growing the core ingredient in its newest hair formulations range, then SNAP. You're in good company. Dyson Farming is growing 800,000 sunflowers that are rich in omega, to fuel the new hair care items. Picture: Dyson Farming was quietly established in 2012, and is now Britain's largest farming business. Its most well-known crop is its strawberries, grown all year round in a 26-acre glasshouse that produces about 1250 tonnes of the fruit. Recently, Dyson trialled a new way to grow the iconic British fruit, using a Hybrid Vertical Growing System that looks suspiciously like a ferris wheel at night with its neon lights. Its engineers have even created a nifty robot (I knew there would be a clever bot involved somewhere) that can pick the strawberries at a rate of about 5 berries per minute, or roughly one berry every 12 seconds. The results were promising, with Dyson stating the farming innovation boosted its yields by 250 per cent while also optimising the quality of the fruit. As a result, Kathleen Pierce, the Global President of Dyson Beauty, said the union between the tech giant's farming arm and its expanding beauty portfolio isn't as strange as some people think. 'Farming might seem like an unexpected extension of the Dyson ecosystem, but it's aligned with our core belief in solving problems through engineering and long-term investment,' she told 'Dyson Farming is about transforming how we grow food and ingredients, with technology, data, and sustainability at the centre. 'From using precision irrigation to harvesting at optimal nutrient windows, it allows us to control quality and create traceable supply chains.' As predicted, I did find robots, I just didn't expect to be in a muddy field. Picture: LinkedIn/DysonFarming They pick the strawberries at a rate of a berry every 12 seconds. Picture: LinkedIn/DysonFarming Can confirm, the strawberries are delicious. Picture: Dyson's top secret product revealed Indeed, the company's founder and chief engineer Sir James Dyson first hinted at the two arms joining forces a couple of years ago. 'It may seem odd for someone with a technology company to invest in and be in farming,' he said at the New York launch of the Airstrait in 2023. 'I've done it because I like growing food. 'We've also done the farms because I want to grow things that might make products. But that's as far as I'm going to go.' Two years on, we finally know what Sir Dyson was talking about, and how it helps its legion of loyal beauty customers. 'We've brought together two completely different worlds – farming and beauty – to develop a product that unlocks healthy hair with quality ingredients,' he said. 'Omega is the first Dyson product to feature an ingredient grown on Dyson Farms. 'Engineered for all hair types, it solves the problem of dry, tangled, frizzy hair using high-quality ingredients.' Ms Pierce said it's likely the sunflower crop is the first of many that could take starring roles in future Dyson releases. Kathleen Pierce, the Global President of Dyson Beauty, said the union 'may seem unexpected' to some, but it has been in the works for years. Picture: Supplied There are 800,000 sunflowers that have been secretly grown on Dyson's Lincolnshire farms. Picture: 'By growing sunflower seeds on our Lincolnshire farm, we can optimise the crop for nutrient-rich oil through precision farming methods. This allowed us to ensure not only the efficacy of our ingredients, but also greater sustainability and long-term innovation. 'It's a very Dyson approach, taking control of the end-to-end process to deliver better outcomes for the user. 'The success of our sunflower oil from Dyson Farming has opened the door to new ideas and ingredients. While I can't reveal what's next just yet, I can say that our research and development pipeline is rich with experimentation, and farming plays an increasingly important role in shaping that.' Benefits of the Dyson Omega nourishing range As well as the Dyson Farming Sunflower seed oil, the Dyson Omega nourishing range also contains Olive oil, Abyssinian oil, Corn oil, Avocado oil, Sesame oil and Macadamia oil, each selected for having unique hair-healing properties. Both the Dyson Omega Leave-in Conditioning Spray, and Dyson Omega Hydrating Hair Oil are silicone-free, with claims that include being conditioning and smoothing on strands as well as being able to seal in moisture for softer, more manageable hair. The products also feature heat protection, a first for Dyson, whose hair tools won't damage hair. Picture: Interestingly, the products – priced at $95 and $85 respectively – are also heat protestants, a feature not previously afforded to the first Dyson formulations range, Chitosan, released in August 2024. 'We received incredibly useful feedback from Chitosan users, and one of the clearest insights was that many consumers still rely on tools that expose their hair to extreme heat,' Ms Pierce told 'While our devices are engineered to protect hair, we wanted to support customers who haven't made that switch yet. So with the Omega range, we introduced heat protection up to 230°C. 'It's about meeting users where they are in their journey and helping them protect their hair regardless of the tool they use. At the same time, it complements Dyson technology beautifully, giving users that extra layer of nourishment and defence for healthier-looking hair.' The journalist travelled to London as a guest of Dyson. Originally published as Inside Dyson's UK farm where its 'top secret' new venture is finally revealed
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- News.com.au
Inside Dyson's UK farm where its ‘top secret' new venture is finally revealed
When I scored an invite to find out how Dyson's 'top secret' new product was made, my mind conjured up images of a futuristic factory with robotic staff. So imagine my surprise when I ended up in a muddy field, sporting a pair of Hunter gumboots, somewhere in the middle of England. Unbeknown to me, the British tech-giant – famed the world over for its bagless, cordless vacuums and in more recent years its innovative hair tools – is also one of the UK's biggest farmers, producing potatoes, cereals and strawberries. It also generates energy for thousands of British homes. And it turns out, its farming arm has been busy growing a whole new crop, specifically to go in its newest innovation: the Dyson Omega nourishing range. Comprised (so far) of just two products, a leave-in conditioning spray, and a hydrating hair oil, both contain the 'Dyson Oli blend', made up of seven omega-rich oils to help improve hair health. But the star of that formulation blend is undoubtedly a sunflower oil harvested on Dyson's own farms in Lincolnshire. Of course, the ingredient isn't gleaned from any old sunflower. Dyson Farming trialled over 60 varieties of the iconic yellow flower to identify the breed richest in natural ceramides. Now there are over 800,000 sunflowers on the land, many of which are currently surrounding me in a field on a soggy summer's day in north east England. The flower's bright yellow hue goes as far as the eye can see. They're also incredibly tall, with some of towering over my 147cm frame, growing a staggering 6 feet (183cms) in height. Despite the seemingly endless sea of sunshine before me, Dyson said the sunflower crop takes up just 9 hectares of its 36,000 acres of working land – that's about the size of 20,000 football fields or over 100,000 Olympic swimming pools for those who, like me, aren't up to scratch on farming lingo. From farm to formulations But if you're wondering how on earth Dyson even got into agricultural work, let alone its path to growing the core ingredient in its newest hair formulations range, then SNAP. You're in good company. Dyson Farming was quietly established in 2012, and is now Britain's largest farming business. Its most well-known crop is its strawberries, grown all year round in a 26-acre glasshouse that produces about 1250 tonnes of the fruit. Recently, Dyson trialled a new way to grow the iconic British fruit, using a Hybrid Vertical Growing System that looks suspiciously like a ferris wheel at night with its neon lights. Its engineers have even created a nifty robot (I knew there would be a clever bot involved somewhere) that can pick the strawberries at a rate of about 5 berries per minute, or roughly one berry every 12 seconds. The results were promising, with Dyson stating the farming innovation boosted its yields by 250 per cent while also optimising the quality of the fruit. As a result, Kathleen Pierce, the Global President of Dyson Beauty, said the union between the tech giant's farming arm and its expanding beauty portfolio isn't as strange as some people think. 'Farming might seem like an unexpected extension of the Dyson ecosystem, but it's aligned with our core belief in solving problems through engineering and long-term investment,' she told 'Dyson Farming is about transforming how we grow food and ingredients, with technology, data, and sustainability at the centre. 'From using precision irrigation to harvesting at optimal nutrient windows, it allows us to control quality and create traceable supply chains.' Dyson's top secret product revealed Indeed, the company's founder and chief engineer Sir James Dyson first hinted at the two arms joining forces a couple of years ago. 'It may seem odd for someone with a technology company to invest in and be in farming,' he said at the New York launch of the Airstrait in 2023. 'I've done it because I like growing food. 'We've also done the farms because I want to grow things that might make products. But that's as far as I'm going to go.' Two years on, we finally know what Sir Dyson was talking about, and how it helps its legion of loyal beauty customers. 'We've brought together two completely different worlds – farming and beauty – to develop a product that unlocks healthy hair with quality ingredients,' he said. 'Omega is the first Dyson product to feature an ingredient grown on Dyson Farms. 'Engineered for all hair types, it solves the problem of dry, tangled, frizzy hair using high-quality ingredients.' Ms Pierce said it's likely the sunflower crop is the first of many that could take starring roles in future Dyson releases. 'By growing sunflower seeds on our Lincolnshire farm, we can optimise the crop for nutrient-rich oil through precision farming methods. This allowed us to ensure not only the efficacy of our ingredients, but also greater sustainability and long-term innovation. 'It's a very Dyson approach, taking control of the end-to-end process to deliver better outcomes for the user. 'The success of our sunflower oil from Dyson Farming has opened the door to new ideas and ingredients. While I can't reveal what's next just yet, I can say that our research and development pipeline is rich with experimentation, and farming plays an increasingly important role in shaping that.' Benefits of the Dyson Omega nourishing range As well as the Dyson Farming Sunflower seed oil, the Dyson Omega nourishing range also contains Olive oil, Abyssinian oil, Corn oil, Avocado oil, Sesame oil and Macadamia oil, each selected for having unique hair-healing properties. Both the Dyson Omega Leave-in Conditioning Spray, and Dyson Omega Hydrating Hair Oil are silicone-free, with claims that include being conditioning and smoothing on strands as well as being able to seal in moisture for softer, more manageable hair. Interestingly, the products – priced at $95 and $85 respectively – are also heat protestants, a feature not previously afforded to the first Dyson formulations range, Chitosan, released in August 2024. 'We received incredibly useful feedback from Chitosan users, and one of the clearest insights was that many consumers still rely on tools that expose their hair to extreme heat,' Ms Pierce told 'While our devices are engineered to protect hair, we wanted to support customers who haven't made that switch yet. So with the Omega range, we introduced heat protection up to 230°C. 'It's about meeting users where they are in their journey and helping them protect their hair regardless of the tool they use. At the same time, it complements Dyson technology beautifully, giving users that extra layer of nourishment and defence for healthier-looking hair.'
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is Sunflower Oil Actually Good for You?
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." There's been a lot of talk on social media about seed oils and whether or not they're healthy. But not all seed oils are the same, and there is some back and forth about one in particular: sunflower oil. So, is sunflower oil good for you or is it something you should try to avoid? Sunflower oil isn't as well-known as olive oil or vegetable oils, so it's fair to wonder whether you should cook with it. But the nutritionists we spoke with agree that you don't necessarily need to eschew it. 'Sunflower oil can be a healthy fat choice,' says Stephani Johnson, D.C.N., R.D.N., an adjunct professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers University. There are a few nuances to consider, though, including how you cook with it. All sunflower oils aren't created equal, making things even more complicated. Here's what Johnson and other dietitians and experts want you to keep in mind. Meet the experts: Stephani Johnson, D.C.N., R.D.N., is an adjunct professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at Rutgers University; Antonette Hardie, R.D.N., L.D., a nutritionist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Art Gillman, R.D.N., C.D.N., a nutritionist at NewYork-Presbyterian; Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Stanford University Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from one tablespoon of sunflower oil on the nutritional front, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Calories: 120 Fat: 13.9 grams (g) Saturated fat: 1.4 g Vitamin E: 10.2 mg Sunflower oils may vary in their fatty acid composition, Johnson says, adding that some may be higher in polyunsaturated fat while others are higher in monounsaturated fat, and some contain equal amounts of both. High-oleic sunflower oil, which is higher in monounsaturated fat, is more common because it's more stable at higher cooking temperatures, she says. Monounsaturated fatty acids may be more beneficial for heart health than polyunsaturated fats, says Art Gillman, R.D.N., C.D.N., a nutritionist at NewYork-Presbyterian. Sunflower oil is 'pretty comparable' to other seed oils, says Antonette Hardie, R.D.N., L.D., a nutritionist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She points out that it has a neutral flavor, along with a higher smoke point—meaning, it can withstand higher heats for cooking. On the calorie front, sunflower oil is similar to other oils, too, Johnson says. 'All oils, regardless of type, are nearly equal in caloric content.' But the type of oil you choose is unlikely to have a big impact on your health, according to Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Stanford University. 'People should pay more attention to what they are cooking in the oils, than the oils themselves,' he says. That's especially true if you use only a tablespoon or two in your recipes, Gardner says. However, always talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if you have specific health conditions. 'It does have some health benefits with unsaturated fats and vitamin E,' Hardie says. Sunflower oil has 'moderate' amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which may lower the risk of heart disease, decrease inflammation, and maintain skin and eye health, Gillman says. That said, there are some important caveats we'll get to soon. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), omega-6 is a polyunsaturated fat that your body needs, but it can't produce on its own. As a result, you need to get them from foods. The AHA notes that polyunsaturated fats like omega-6s may help lower the risk of developing heart disease and stroke by lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. Sunflower oil also contains vitamin E, which is a fat-soluble vitamin that works as an antioxidant in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). That means it helps to protect your cells from damage and may even help to lower your risk of certain diseases. A big reason that people reach for sunflower oil while cooking is its high smoke point, Hardie says. 'The high smoke point when cooking leads to less burning and less acrid tastes,' she says. It also doesn't have a strong flavor, allowing the taste of what you're cooking to really shine through, per Hardie. Like all oils, sunflower oil is calorie-dense, Johnson points out. 'When eaten in large amounts, it can result in calorie consumption greater than an individual's energy needs,' she says. 'This contributes to weight gain, increasing the risk of overweight and obesity, and their related health issues.' Those omega-6 fatty acids that can be helpful with sunflower oil can also be harmful in excess, Johnson says. 'Consuming excessive amounts of omega-6 fats, particularly when omega-3 intake is low, can promote inflammation by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory molecules in the body,' she says. Cooking with sunflower oil at high temperatures, especially during deep frying, can lead to the release of aldehydes into the air and the food, Johnson says. These compounds are linked to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease, she explains. (Worth noting: Research suggests that oils high in oleic acid—one form of sunflower oil you can choose—are more resistant to breaking down and produce smaller amounts of aldehydes than those that are rich in linoleic and linolenic acid.) 'While choosing a high-oleic sunflower oil and keeping cooking temperatures below its smoke point can help reduce this risk, sunflower oil still tends to release more aldehydes than many other cooking oils,' Johnson says. But when used below its smoke point and in moderate amounts, dietitians agree that sunflower oil can be a healthy choice. An oil's smoke point is the temperature when it starts to create smoke. Sunflower oil's smoke point is about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, Johnson says. This is one of the higher smoke points for oils, allowing you to do high heat cooking without burning your oil—or your food. Sunflower oil is considered a relatively harmless oil when used in moderation and within recommended temperatures, according to Hardie. But again, talk to your doctor if you have specific concerns or questions. It depends on how much you plan to use. 'In moderation, as is the case with all seed oils, sunflower oil should be fine,' Gillman says. Sunflower oil can be part of a healthy diet, but, as with all oils, it's important to use it in moderation and below its smoke point. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
