Sunflower oil vs. Safflower oil — How Do They Differ?

Taste

They both have neutral tastes, so the taste doesn't mix with the food while cooking and frying. However, the difference that does exist is that safflower oil tastes more like canola oil than sunflower oil. 

In this article, we can compare sunflower oil and canola oil. 

Smoke point 

Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 232°C, whereas safflower oil has a higher smoke point of 266°C.

Safflower oil can sustain higher cooking temperatures without releasing carcinogenic chemicals and smoking. This is an advantage that safflower oil has over sunflower oil.

Calories

They have similar amounts of calories. 

Carbs and Protein

They are devoid of carbs and proteins

Fats

Although their total amount of fats equals 100% of their weight, their distributions differ. 

Sunflower oil is richer in polyunsaturated fats but higher in saturated fats. In comparison, safflower oil is richer in monounsaturated fats.  

Below we can visualize their distributions and ratios. 

@fattypecoverage

Minerals

Their mineral profile is insignificant.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Sunflower oil

0

Safflower oil

0

~equal in Magnesium ~0mg

~equal in Calcium ~0mg

~equal in Potassium ~0mg

~equal in Iron ~0mg

~equal in Copper ~0mg

~equal in Zinc ~0mg

~equal in Phosphorus ~0mg

~equal in Sodium ~0mg

~equal in Manganese ~0mg

~equal in Selenium ~0µg

Vitamins

Sunflower oil is richer in vitamin E. 

Below we can visualize their distributions.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Sunflower oil

1

Safflower oil

2

Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E

+20.5%

Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K

+31.5%

~equal in Vitamin C ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin A ~0IU

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B2 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B3 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B5 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B6 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

~equal in Folate ~0µg

Vitamin E

Sunflower oil and safflower are rich sources of vitamin E, providing several essential health impacts such as immune support, antioxidation, and anticarcinogenic properties. 
Sunflower oil has an advantage since it is richer in vitamin E than safflower oil. (1)

You can also read about sunflower oil vs. peanut oil which is rich in vitamin E. 

Cardiovascular Health and Metabolic Markers

Guidelines regarding cardiovascular health highlight the importance of reducing saturated fats as they are linked with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases. These oils are a better option than those high in saturated fats. 
However, there is a difference between them. Safflower oil is lower in saturated fats and richer in monounsaturated fats, which is a better option than sunflower oil. 
However, this doesn't mean that sunflower oil is a bad oil. Comparatively, safflower oil is a better option. 
This doesn't mean you should eat fried foods all day because the oils are low in saturated fats. We need to consider trans fats and overall calories. Multiple factors affect our cardiovascular and metabolic health; saturated fats are just a part of them (2)(3)(4).