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Almond Oil For Skin: Uses, Benefits, And Tips
While almonds are a popular healthy snack, they’re not just for eating. The oil expressed from these nuts is an antioxidant-rich skincare ingredient. Almond oil for skin can help keep you moisturized, fight against wrinkles, and more.
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you get the most out of this powerful substance. You'll learn how almond oil can benefit your skin and discover our top tips for incorporating it into your daily skincare routine.
By the end, you'll know everything there is to know about this powerhouse ingredient.
Table Of Contents
What Is Almond Oil?
As you might have guessed from the name, almond oil comes from almonds. Workers harvest the almond tree's fruits and then use the cold-pressing method to remove the oil from the nuts. This extraction method preserves the oil's nutrients and gives it a light, almond scent.
Almond oil isn’t a new skincare ingredient. The ancient Egyptians used it for daily hygiene, skin softening, and religious ceremonies. In addition, when they embalmed their dead, almond oil was a key ingredient.
Today, almond oil is a popular carrier oil. You can use it to dilute essential oils or apply it directly to your skin to reap various benefits.
Is Almond Oil Safe For Skin?
Sweet almond oil is safe for most people to use on their skin. It’s even gentle enough for babies.
However, there's another type of almond oil known as bitter almond oil. Though these two ingredients sound similar, they aren't the same and shouldn’t be used interchangeably.
That's because bitter almonds contain a harmful substance called hydrocyanic acid, or hydrogen cyanide. Bitter almond oil can cause serious injury or death when not processed in a way that removes the poison.
But even if the oil was prepared correctly, it’s so potent that it can still cause severe irritation in people with sensitive skin. Because of the potential dangers, it’s best to avoid bitter almond oil.
Instead, opt for sweet almond oil. This ingredient doesn’t have any traces of hydrogen cyanide and is considered safe.
Of course, if you’re allergic to almonds, almond oil isn't a good choice for you. People who are allergic to this nut may experience a rash, hives, or difficulty breathing after using almond oil products.
To avoid allergic reactions, patch-test a tiny drop of almond oil on your skin before using it more liberally. And, as always, consult with your healthcare providers if you have any concerns.
Benefits Of Almond Oil For Skin
Now that you know more about what almond oil is and which type you should use, let's take a closer look at some of the benefits it can offer your skin.
Moisturizes
Dry skin can feel tight, look dull, and be more susceptible to developing wrinkles. That's why it’s essential to keep your skin hydrated. And almond oil can do just that.
The fatty acids it contains lock in moisture. It also has a high concentration of Vitamin E, which helps protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Reduces Puffiness
If you have puffy eyes, almond oil can help. This ingredient is known to reduce inflammation and help drain excess fluid from the delicate skin around your eyes.
Once the excess fluid is gone, the puffiness will diminish. As a result, your eyes will look less tired, and you’ll enjoy having a smoother face.
Cleans Pores
Clean pores are vital if you want healthy, blemish-free skin. Almond oil can help cleanse your pores and keep them free of dirt and debris.
How? The linoleic acid in almond oil dissolves sebum build-up, which can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
In addition, this ingredient is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores itself. It’s safe for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin or acne.
Reduces Flaking On Scalp
Since almond oil can penetrate deep into your skin and deliver moisturizing benefits, it's the perfect ingredient to help combat a dry, flaky scalp.
Slows Signs Of Aging
As we age, our skin cells don’t turn over as quickly as when we were younger. This leads to a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of our skin, making us look older.
Exfoliating helps remove these dead skin cells and reveals the softer, smoother skin underneath.
Almond oil contains glycolic acid, which helps loosen the bonds between dead skin cells and the healthy skin below. As a result, almond oil can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leave your skin looking younger and more radiant.
Helps Treat Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that can be difficult to treat, but almond oil can help.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties, which means it can fight the bacteria that cause breakouts. Almond oil can also help unclog pores and soothe inflammation.
How To Use Almond Oil For Skin
Now that you know some of the many benefits almond oil can offer your skin, you might wonder how to use it. Fortunately, this ingredient is easy to incorporate into your skincare routine. Here are a few tips.
Try Oil Cleansing
Oil cleansing is a popular method of cleaning your skin that uses natural oils to remove dirt, makeup, and impurities. While you can use various oils for this purpose, almond oil is a good option because it’s gentle and won’t strip your skin of its natural oils.
To oil cleanse, start by wetting your face with warm water. Then, massage a small amount of almond oil into your skin in a circular motion. Massage your skin for a few minutes to give the oil a chance to work.
Next, wet a clean washcloth with warm water and place it over your face. Allow it to sit for a minute before gently wiping away the almond oil. Finally, rinse your face with cool water and pat it dry.
Make A DIY Facial Scrub
Facial scrubs are a luxurious way to exfoliate your skin, and almond oil is the perfect ingredient for a DIY scrub.
To make your own almond oil facial scrub, mix 1/4 cup of almond oil with 1/2 cup sugar until the sugar dissolves. You can use more or less of each ingredient depending on how gritty you want your scrub to be.
Once it’s mixed well, your scrub is ready to use. Simply wet your face with warm water and apply a small amount of the scrub to your skin. Then, massage it in circular motions, focusing on particularly dry or flaky areas.
Finally, rinse your face with cool water and pat it dry. Your skin should feel soft and healthy.
In-between uses, store your almond oil scrub in a jar in the fridge. Just make sure to give it a good stir before each use since it typically settles.
Use Products With Almond Oil
Don't worry. You don't have to become a DIY expert to get the benefits of almond oil for skin. You can find this ingredient in various ready-made skincare products, including cleansers, moisturizers, and serums.
Apply It To Chapped Lips
If your lips are chapped, you know how painful and annoying it can be. Sometimes, it even hurts to talk or eat.
But almond oil can help. As mentioned above, this ingredient is a natural emollient, meaning it can help soothe and protect your lips. In addition, it's packed with vitamin E, an essential nutrient for healthy skin.
To use almond oil on your lips, simply apply a small amount and massage it in. You can do this a few times per day to help heal your lips.
For an extra boost of hydration, try using almond oil overnight. Apply a small amount to your lips before bed and let it work its magic while you sleep. You'll wake up with lips that feel soft and supple.
Go Nuts For Almond Oil
Using almond oil for skin is a great way to improve your complexion and give your skin the nourishment it needs.
You can make your own skincare products with almond oil or simply look for products that contain it. Whichever route you choose, almond oil is sure to give your skin a boost. So go ahead and give it a try! Your skin will thank you.
Sources
National Library of Medicine: PubChem Smith College University of Vermont
