sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower (helianthus annuus) seeds. sunflower oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and in cosmetic formulations as an emollient sunflower oil contains predominantly linoleic acid in triglyceride form. the british pharmacopoeia lists the following profile:[1] • palmitic acid : 4 - 9%, • stearic acid : 1 - 7%, • oleic acid : 14 - 40%, • linoleic acid : 48 - 74%. sunflower oil also contains lecithin, tocopherols, carotenoids and waxes. sunflower oil's properties are typical of a vegetable triglyceride oil.