Benefits Almond Oil Can Have On Your Skin
Oils have been increasing in popularity when it comes to topical application on skin. In fact, it's not uncommon to see a variety of oils — neem, argan, avocado, jojoba, coconut, olive, etc. — being incorporated into various skincare products. Sometimes, they're even used in their organic form as moisturizers on the face and body. While not all skin types should arbitrarily turn to oils as moisturizing mediums, you can't dispute the fact that oils have been used in beauty routines for a very long time.
Almond oil is one such oil. Derived from the seed that's inside the almond fruit growing on the Prunus dulcis tree, almond oil is best used cold-pressed on the skin. According to a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, almond oil has been used to treat various skin conditions in "Ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greco-Persian schools of medicine."
Did you know that almond oil comes in two kinds? Bitter and sweet. The sweet almond oil affects your hair and skin in a favorable way, while the bitter kind is found in soaps and aromatherapy products. Curious as to how you can use this ingredient commonly found in Mediterranean countries on your skin and what its benefits are? Read on.
Almond oil calms inflammation, reduces stretch marks and scarring, and fights UV damage
Skin that is inflamed and irritated because of skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and acne can all benefit from the use of almond oil. Also, if you're looking to lock in moisture in particularly dry skin, almond oil might be your go-to.
As Manhattan-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King shared with InStyle, almond oil might just be the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to beauty products. It has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. "Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium, and zinc. It is mild and hypoallergenic, so it is safe to use directly, even on sensitive skin." The oil is relatively low on the comedogenic scale (2/5), which means it's unlikely to clog your pores, but it's always good to do a patch test before you apply the oil to a larger area on your face or body. One other concern would be whether or not you're allergic to almonds and other nuts. If you are, you should avoid it.
Stretch marks and scarring are some other common concerns when it comes to skin, especially when there's been surgery, weight loss, or pregnancy. Almond oil can be a miracle worker in this area too. According to dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach (via InStyle), signs of aging (wrinkles), uneven skin tone and texture, UV and environmental damage on skin, scars, and stretch marks can all be combated with the use of almond oil.
How to use almond oil in your skincare routine
You can either opt to use the cold-pressed and organic form of the oil directly on your skin or look for moisturizing products that contain almond oil. King recommends using moisturizers because you'll get the emollient-rich properties of fatty acids from the oil plus humectants and occlusives all in one go (via Harper's Bazaar).
If you opt for just the oil, look for the sweet almond oil which is widely available on Amazon and regular stores. Skincare expert Dr. Kevin Mun told Byrdie, "Since almond oil has a very slow skin absorption rate, it is good to use almond oil as a standalone ingredient directly on the skin."
Alternatively, you could try making DIY body oils to keep your skin moisturized using almond oil. Simply combine 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil, 5 drops of lavender essential oil, and 1 tablespoon rosehip seed oil, and you've got yourself a moisturizer that's particularly useful during the colder months of the year, shared naturopathic physician Tricia Pingel. Whichever way you decide to use the product on your skin, the benefits will likely keep you coming back for more.