There are two types of almond oil: bitter almond and sweet almond. Each type has different properties and can be used in different ways.
This article will go over the possible benefits of using almond oil. You’ll learn about the different types of almond oil and how they are used, as well as the potential side effects of using almond oil on your skin and hair.
What Is Almond Oil?
There are two types of almond oils: bitter and sweet. Each type has different benefits and uses.
Bitter almond oil has a strong smell and is used in soaps, aromatherapy, and massage therapy. It’s safe to use on your skin but it can be toxic if you eat or drink it. Sweet almond oil comes from sweet almonds. It is commonly used as an ingredient in many skin care and hair products.
How Is Almond Oil Made?
Cold-pressed almond oil is extracted from almonds by pressing them with a modern steel press at room temperature. Some people prefer cold-pressed oils because they don’t use heat or chemicals.
Sweet almond oil is extracted from the fruit of the Prunus amygdalus dulcis almond tree. The tree is native to Asia and the Middle East. Sweet almonds first appeared in the United States in the 19th century. Bitter almonds come from a different variant of the same tree: Prunus amygdalus amara.
Almond Oil Uses
Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, almond oil has many uses. Some people add almond oil to smoothies, while others use it topically as part of their daily skin routine.
Sweet almond oil is available in stores and online as pure oil. You can also find it as an ingredient in many cosmetic and hair care products, including:
Soaps Lotions Body butter Lip balms Shampoos and conditioners Body washes Brightening serums Facial cleansers
Some people claim that sweet almond oil has hair benefits, including:
Repairing damaged hair Taming frizzy hair Promoting hair growth
Benefits of Using Almond Oil
Almond oil has many potential benefits for the skin, such as reducing the appearance of scarring and wrinkles. It may also have hair health benefits.
Almond Oil for Treating Skin Conditions
Almond oil is an emollient that provides hydration, which can help moisturize and smooth skin. These qualities make almond oil a popular ingredient for skincare products.
Almond oil is generally safe for sensitive skin because it is non-irritating and lightweight. Some people find that almond oil helps them manage chronic skin conditions such as:
Psoriasis Acne Eczema Dermatitis
Research has shown that using hand cream made with sweet almond oil can offer relief from hand dermatitis. In one study, people who used the cream found that it relieved symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, and itchy skin.
Some people use almond oil as a daily face moisturizer because they feel it improves their complexion and skin tone. You can apply almond oil to your face overnight as a moisturizer.
Almond Oil to Reduce Scarring
Wound healing after injury or surgery can cause scarring. Ayurvedic and ancient Chinese medicine practitioners use almond oil to reduce the appearance of scars and soothe the skin. Some people use almond oil for acne scars.
However, some people with acne find that putting oil on their faces actually makes them more likely to get pimples. If you’ve found that other oils have made your acne worse, you may not find almond oil beneficial.
Almond Oil to Eliminate Stretch Marks
When your body experiences rapid growth during puberty or pregnancy, the stretching can cause the skin’s collagen and elastin to break. As the skin heals, stretch marks form.
Research has shown that almond oil may help prevent stretch marks in pregnant people and reduce the itching caused by stretch marks while the skin is healing. One study of pregnant people found that stretch marks were less likely to develop when the participants applied almond oil directly to their skin each day.
If you already have stretch marks, regularly massaging almond oil on your skin may help fade their appearance while also toning and softening your skin.
Almond Oil to Reduce UV Damage
Getting a lot of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause premature skin aging. UV rays can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots on the skin.
Research has shown that almond oil is might be effective at slowing down premature aging caused by sun damage.
Almond oil is an effective barrier, protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. In addition, the vitamin E contained in the oil has antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage from UV rays.
A small clinical study showed that almond oil sunscreen has an SPF of 15 and is comparable to other commercial SPF 15 sunscreens.
While it wasn’t done on humans, one study on mice found that almond oil effectively prevented skin damage from the sun when applied topically.
Almond Oil for Healthy Hair
No matter your hair type, almond oil has advantages for improving hair’s appearance and health. When added to shampoo, almond oil can give the hair a natural-appearing shine, which makes it look healthy and radiant.
At a cellular level, almond oil may help smooth hair and repair damage. It can also add moisture and elasticity to hair because it’s rich in fatty acids.
Almond oil may also have other hair and scalp benefits, including:
Hair loss: One study showed that applying almond oil directly to the scalp helped reverse hair loss. However, more research is needed to prove that almond oil is effective at promoting hair growth. Dandruff: If you have an itchy, red scalp or dandruff, applying almond oil directly to your scalp may help reduce inflammation and soothe your skin. Frizz: Adding a pea-sized amount of almond oil to the ends of your hair may help hydrate it and decrease frizziness.
To use almond oil on your hair, apply it to the scalp and gently massage from the roots to the tip. Leave on for 20 or more minutes (or overnight if desired).
Risks of Using Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is generally safe for anyone to use on their hair and skin. However, some people may want to avoid it.
People with tree nut allergies should not use almond oil, as it could trigger an allergic reaction. People with acne-prone skin who have not had luck with other kinds of oils may want to avoid applying almond oil directly to the face, as it may block pores and cause pimples and breakouts.
Almond oil’s hair benefits could include eyelashes and eyebrows; however, always make sure that any product you use near your eyes is safe.
Home remedies and recipes, especially those shared on social media, do not always come from reputable sources.
Choosing and Storing Almond Oil
You can buy almond oil on its own or look for products like shampoo, body wash, facial cleansers, and lip balms that have almond oil in them. Which option you choose is up to you but it may help to think about these points when you’re deciding:
The benefits you hope to get from using the oil (e. g. , helping with a skin condition, getting healthier hair, etc. )Your skin and hair type (e. g. , whether you have sensitive or dry skin and hair)Whether you want to purchase almond oil on its own or get a product that uses it as an ingredientWhether you want a product with other ingredients or fragrances (or not)How much you are willing to spend on a product
Once you know what kind of almond oil product you’d like to get, you’ll have plenty of options for buying. Most health food and specialty stores carry almond oil, and you can find cosmetics and personal care products with almond oil as an ingredient at most pharmacies and big box stores.
You can also buy almond oil and products online; however, just make sure that you’re buying from a reputable source.
Almond Oil Storage Tips
If you get pure almond oil, keep in mind that like other oils you might have at home (for example, olive oil) it has a shelf life and needs to be stored carefully.
Oils can go rancid over time—especially if they are exposed to oxygen and heat. Check the “best buy,” “use by,” or another expiration date on your almond oil before you buy it. Once you open it, almond oil will usually last about six months, depending on how it’s stored.
To prevent your almond oil from going rancid (or at least slowing the process), keep it stored in a cool, dark place that’s away from heat (for example, a kitchen cabinet that isn’t too close to your stove).
Summary
Sweet almond oil contains many nutrients that are good for the skin, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Using almond oil may help soothe and hydrate your skin and hair.
Some people also use almond oil to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles and to treat skin conditions. However, there are not many studies that support these benefits, and more research is needed.
A Word From Verywell
Almond oil can be purchased on its own or as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products in stores and online. You might want to include it in your hair and skincare routine.
While almond oil is generally considered safe to use, do not use almond oil if you’re allergic to nuts—even just on your skin.
