Safflower is an ancient annual crop once cultivated by the Greeks and Egyptians to obtain dye. The dried flowers have also been used as a substitute for saffron, which has earned the plant the common names dyer’s saffron and bastard saffron.
Safflower oil is the first choice amongst manufacturers for cosmetics requiring moisturizing oil. It is also very popular in massage blends as it is easily absorbed, and can be washed from sheets without heavy staining.