Did you know that the Almond is considered the “King Of Nuts”? It’s full of healthy fats, fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals that make it a nutritional powerhouse!
It’s, therefore, no surprise that the oil derived from this nut, commonly known as Almond oil, is extremely popular for its immense benefits for hair, body, and skin too.
Did you know that Almond is a seed found inside the fruits of the Almond tree? These fruits look very similar to peaches, only green in color. So, Almonds are actually fruits, and not nuts!
Are there reasons to use Almond oil even if you consume a fistful of Almonds every day? How is Almond oil derived from this special nut, and why is it so useful for us? In this article, we’ll explore the answers to these questions in detail. Let’s get started.
What is Almond Oil?
Almond oil is a nourishing and versatile oil extracted from the seeds of the almond tree, one of the world's oldest and most cultivated nut-bearing trees.
Originating in the Middle East, almonds quickly gained recognition not only for their crunch but for the oil-rich content found in their seeds. Remarkably, almost half of a dry almond's composition is oil!
This oil, especially when cold-pressed, retains most of the almond's nutrients and has been lauded over the centuries for its health and beauty benefits.
Almonds provide us with what our body requires and form an important part of our life. Nutritionists advise people to add Almonds to their daily diet while Ayurvedic beauty experts recommend Abhyanga (self-massage) with Almond oil to nourish the skin.
Which Almond Oil Is Best For You?
When it comes to selecting the best almond oil, understanding the difference between refined and unrefined is crucial. Refined almond oil undergoes processing which may strip away some of its natural nutrients, often resulting in a neutral aroma and flavor, making it preferable for high-heat cooking.
On the other hand, unrefined almond oil is minimally processed, retaining its full range of beneficial compounds, which makes it ideal for skincare and flavor-rich culinary uses.
Among the unrefined options, Cold-Pressed Almond Oil stands out as the best choice. Obtained by mechanically pressing almonds without the use of heat, cold-pressed oil retains the almond's authentic aroma, flavor, and nutritional richness, making it ideal for both culinary and cosmetic uses.
Let’s now learn the benefits of massaging your skin, hair, scalp and body with Almond Oil.
Benefits of Almond Oil for Skin
Almond oil is a go-to for skin hydration, thanks to its emollient properties. It helps retain moisture, improving both skin health and complexion. If you struggle with dry and flaky skin, almond oil can be a game-changer.
But that's just the beginning. Curious about its other benefits? Let's delve into more ways to use almond oil for your skin.
- Moisturize Your Skin
Almond oil absorbs rapidly into the skin, offering potent moisturizing benefits. Suitable for both face and body, it can also act as a carrier oil for massages when combined with essential oils.
Its lightweight and non-greasy texture ensures skin feels refreshed without any sticky residue. It's the perfect blend of hydration without the heaviness.
You don’t even need to worry about whether it will suit your skin. If you’ve picked 100% organic cold-pressed Almond oil, you can use it irrespective of your skin type, be it sensitive, dry or oily.
2. Nourishes Extra Dry Spots
Struggling with dry patches on elbows or cracked heels? Give them a touch of almond oil's nourishing magic. Battling flaky skin or chapped lips? A dab of almond oil can moisturize and restore their softness.
The fatty acids in Sweet Almond oil help the skin retain moisture while the Vitamin E soothes irritation caused by dryness. The zinc content of the oil helps smoothen rough, calloused skin. For this reason, Almond oil has also been used to treat dry skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
3. Best Face Oil For Double Cleansing
For most of us, the idea of cleansing the face with oil is shocking. But research has found that oil cleansing is beneficial for your skin and Sweet Almond oil is one of the best face oils to use as a cleanser.
Oil cleansing works on the concept ‘like dissolves like’ and helps you get rid of stubborn impurities, excess sebum, and dead skin. It also helps in opening up the clogged pores. It is recommended to use a mild face cleanser for all skin types after oil cleansing to get rid of any oil residue from the skin.
4. Lighten Your Scars and Marks
Did you know that zinc present in Almond oil is an essential nutrient for healing acne scars? A study revealed that Almond Oil is an effective treatment of stretch marks and acne scars due to its unique composition. For this reason, pregnant women are advised to use Sweet Almond oil to massage themselves to prevent stretch marks and to get rid of skin irritation.
5. . Reduce Puffiness and Under Eye Circles
Did you know that Almond oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties? These properties of Almond oil make it an ideal solution for reducing the puffiness under the eyes and lightening the dark circles. Almond oil also has retinol, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K that soothes the skin under the eyes and reduces the appearance of fine lines around the eyes.
Read - How to remove dark circles naturally?
6. Reduce The Appearance Of Acne
Does the idea of using oil to reduce acne seem ridiculous? It’s not. We’ve talked about how ‘like dissolves like’ and there are studies supporting Almond oil’s ability to dissolve excess sebum from your skin! You can use it as a cleanser for your skin to prevent acne caused by the build-up of sebum.
Another reason to use Almond oil for acne is that it is rich in retinoids. Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from Vitamin A, and they are a popular ingredient in anti-acne topical creams. Why are retinoids used for preventing acne? It’s because they have the unique ability to unclog the pores from dirt and excess sebum.
Simply soak a cotton ball in Almond oil and use it to clean your face. Follow up with a natural cleanser to remove any oil residue.
7. UV Damage Control
Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays accelerates skin aging. Almond oil has shown potential in mitigating premature aging caused by sun damage. Its vitamin E content, rich in antioxidants, protects skin cells from UV damage.
A study even highlighted almond oil-based sunscreen's efficacy, comparing its SPF 15 protection to other commercial sunscreens.
8. Combats Hand Dermatitis
A study demonstrated that hand creams containing Sweet almond oil alleviated symptoms of hand dermatitis, reducing redness, itching, stinging, and burning.
9. Combats Hand Dermatitis
Beyond merely hydrating, almond oil is known to refine complexion and skin tone. It functions as a supreme emollient, enabling moisture absorption and minimizing water loss from skin surface.
10. Has Antifungal Properties
Almond oil possesses antifungal properties, making it effective against conditions like athlete's foot and ringworm.
Top Benefits Of Almond Oil For Hair
Almond oil is a game-changer for hair health. Its hydrating nature leaves hair shining and the scalp rejuvenated. By applying almond oil, you tackle common hair woes like breakage, split ends, and dry roots head-on. Additionally, its antioxidants boost scalp health.
Want to know the specifics? Let’s explore almond oil's hair benefits next.
- Soothes Flaky and Itchy Scalp
The most common hair health problem is the build-up of dead cells in the scalp. This build-up not only results in flaking, itching, and dandruff but also inhibits the growth of healthy hair.
Here’s the hydrating and nourishing Almond oil comes to the rescue. When you massage your scalp with almond oil, the dead cells loosen their grip from the scalp and can be easily washed out. This also helps in preventing itchy scalp and treating dry scalp conditions such as (seborrheic dermatitis) and scalp psoriasis.
The emollient properties of Almond oil also help in softening and removing the dead skin cells from the scalp. Simply massage Almond oil into your scalp and let it sit for at least an hour before a bath. You can even leave it overnight for maximum results.
- Promotes Hair Growth
One of the essential nutrients associated with hair growth is Biotin, also known as Vitamin H. It’s a derivative of Vitamin B that’s prescribed to people who suffer from problems such as thinning of hair.
Almond Oil contains Biotin, and massaging your hair with almond oil is an effective way to provide your hair with a healthy dose of Biotin to promote hair growth and reduce hair thinning. Some people take Biotin supplements to make their hair thicker, but you can get similar benefits by applying Almond oil to your hair as well.
Read - Which hair growth oils are recommended by Ayurveda?
- Softens and Conditions the Hair
Do you have a hard time combing your hair because it’s always getting entangled in knots? Regular massage with Almond oil will soften your hair, making it easier to comb.
Due to its emollient properties, almond oil can fill the gaps in your hair at the cellular level, thereby improving overall texture. With improved texture and resilience, the hair becomes less prone to damage and softer to the touch.
- Strengthens and Repairs Hair
The lubricating properties of almond oil make our hair less prone to damage. The oleic acid and linoleic acid present in the oil improves the resilience of the hair. In contrast, the Vitamin E present in the oil is an antioxidant that helps in combating the environmental stress in the hair. So, for younger and healthier hair, massage your hair regularly with sweet Almond oil.
Did you know that Almond oil has unique energetics known as madhur (sweet), ushna (hot) and snigdha (oily) in Ayurveda? These energetics make Almond oil an ideal massage oil not only for hair but also for the body.
Read - Which body massage oils are recommended by Ayurveda?
- Helps Manage Dandruff
Almond oil has emerged as a natural remedy for dandruff due to its deep moisturizing properties. Its nourishing nature helps in soothing the scalp and reducing inflammation, addressing the root causes of dandruff.
By regulating the scalp's sebum production and eliminating dead skin cells, almond oil creates a healthy environment for hair growth. Regularly massaging almond oil into the scalp not only hydrates it but also combats fungal and bacterial growth, which are often responsible for dandruff flare-ups.
- Helps Tame Frizz
Almond oil is also a trusted ally in the fight against frizzy hair. Rich in moisturizing properties and vital nutrients, it acts as a natural smoothing agent for unruly strands.
When applied, almond oil coats the hair shaft, filling in gaps caused by damage and preventing the excessive absorption of moisture from the environment, a common cause of frizz.
This natural barrier not only tames flyaways but also imparts a healthy shine, making hair look more polished and manageable.
Read - How To Apply Oil To Hair? – Your Guide To Hair Oiling
Almond Oil for Body Massage (Abhyanga)
For thousands of years, Almond oil has been used to soothe, soften, and repair the skin. Its special warming qualities make it ideal for abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage), especially for Vata (dry) skin.
Whenever you feel like your body needs some relaxation and your skin needs a healthy dose of hydration, you can practice Abhyanga with Almond Oil.
“The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.” - Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89.
Abhyanga is a Sanskrit word that means self-massage, and it’s a way of providing love and healing to the deepest tissue layers.
Why use Almond Oil for Abhyanga?
It’s essential to use the right oil for Abhyanga. Ideally, one should choose a massage oil based on its unique Prakriti (doshas). Warm and heavy oils are for Vata, cooling and neutral oils are for Pitta, and warm and light oils for Kapha. Since Almond Oil is warm and neutral, it’s suitable for all skin types but especially recommended for those who have dry (Vata) skin.
How to use Almond Oil for Body Massage (Abhyanga)?
To use Almond oil for Abhyanga, start by warming half a cup of sweet Almond oil as the skin better absorbs warm oil. Next, decide upon the technique that you’ll be using to massage the oil into the skin. You can calm the hyperactive energy of the Vata dosha with long, slow, steady strokes.
- Start by massaging arms, legs and back. Then, slowly bring your attention to the abdomen. In Ayurveda, the healthy digestive system is considered very important for the overall health of the body and massaging your abdomen enhances overall digestion. Use circular motions in the counterclockwise direction.
- Next, bring your attention to the areas where there is a possibility of the build-up of stress. Some of us hold tension in our shoulders, lower back or even in our chest. It’s essential to bring attention to these areas. Focus on your breath and try to breathe deeply as you do that.
- Now, it’s time to bring your attention to the feet. Our feet have pressure points that help in relaxing the body, so spend some time massaging the feet and then put on socks to let the oil absorb properly.
- You must let the oil remain on your skin for some time. Do not wash off immediately after the massage. You can enter a sauna or steam room to enhance the experience further.
An excellent time to experience Abhyanga is before you go to bed as it relaxes your body and helps you sleep better. This also allows the oil to be absorbed in your skin overnight.
Massaging the body with Sweet Almond oil is beneficial not only for adults but also for infants. Ensure the Sweet Almond oil that you use is 100% pure and organic for the best results.
For instance, Vitamin A stimulates the production of new skin cells, which helps in reducing fine lines. Vitamin E provides the oil with its antioxidant properties that prevent the cell damage due to free radicals and UV rays of the sun. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help in preventing premature aging and, zinc helps in healing the skin scars.
The next aspect that determines the quality of Almond oil is the process of extraction. Cold-Pressed Sweet Almond Oil is the best quality Almond oil available in the market. Let’s now understand what it is about the cold pressing method of extraction that helps us obtain the best quality oil?
Almond Oil for Aromatherapy
Just like Abhyanga, the practice of Aromatherapy also involves massaging the body with herbal oils. The only difference is in the type of oil used. In Aromatherapy, there’s one carrier oil like Almond oil and one therapeutic essential oil.
The purpose of the carrier oil is to dilute the essential oils and “carry” them to your skin. Since the essential oils are concentrated, they can irritate when applied directly to the skin. Hence, they are always used with a carrier oil.
Sweet Almond oil is one of the most popular carrier oils. It has a nutty aroma, the oil is light in texture and gets absorbed easily into the skin. The rich Vitamin E content of Sweet Almond Oil helps repair skin collagen and maintain the smoothness and elasticity of the skin.
Depending on the requirement, you may add 15-60 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of Almond oil for aromatherapy.
Ideal carrier oils are cold-pressed as they are not damaged by heat and are suitable to use with essential oils. Cheap carrier oils are often treated with heat. There are also chances that they are highly refined or contain added additives which can do more harm than good.
Kama Ayurveda’s Sweet Almond Oil is cold-pressed, organic, and 100% pure making it an ideal carrier oil.
What is Sweet Almond Oil?
There are two types of Almond oil: sweet and bitter.
Sweet Almond oil is the kind that’s better suited to your skin as it’s obtained from an Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus var. Dulcis) whose seeds do not contain poisonous chemicals. Bitter Almond oil can be toxic and derived from a different kind of Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus var. Amara). Bitter Almond oil is only used for medicinal purposes.
The four most important nutrients found in Sweet Almond oil are Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and zinc. Each nutrient has a specific function. '
For instance, Vitamin A stimulates the production of new skin cells, which helps in reducing fine lines. Vitamin E provides the oil with its antioxidant properties that prevent the cell damage due to free radicals and UV rays of the sun. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help in preventing premature aging and, zinc helps in healing the skin scars.
The next aspect that determines the quality of Almond oil is the process of extraction. Let’s now understand what it is about the cold pressing method of extraction that helps us obtain the best quality oil?
What is Cold-Pressed Sweet Almond Oil?
Cold-Pressed Sweet Almond Oil is the best quality Almond oil available in the market. The cold-pressing method extracts the oil from the Almond seeds by pressing them with a modern steel press. And this process of extraction of cold-pressed sweet Almond oil helps retain all of the Almond's benefits and nutrients!
Rich in Vitamins A & E, Sweet Almond Oil nourishes and improves complexion reviving its natural glow. Due to these features, the most popular use of Sweet Almond oil is for massaging the body (Abhyanga) and the scalp.
According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, sweet Almonds are an essential nutrient source for the brain and nervous system. They also induce a high intellectual level and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Almond Oil
- What is almond oil good for?
Almond oil is an extremely nourishing oil rich in Vitamins A & E. It nourishes the skin and improves the overall complexion which helps in reviving the natural glow. Almond oil is also useful for lightening dark circles, dark spots, and marks. It’s also suitable for delicate, irritated and sensitive skin types.
Apart from being a nourishing oil for the skin, it’s also ideal for hair massage. It smoothes hair cuticles, helps control hair fall and adds luster to damaged hair. Due to its nourishing, light and warming nature, it’s ideal for baby massages and self-body massage (Abhyanga). It’s also a popular carrier oil in Aromatherapy. - Can I apply almond oil on my face?
Yes, Almond oil can be applied on the face as it’s fast-absorbing and non-sticky. Warm a small amount in the hands and massage it gently all over the face. Leave it for 30 minutes and cleanse post-treatment with a mild cleanser. - Which almond oil is best for hair?
It’s recommended to use organic cold-pressed Sweet Almond Oil for your hair as it preserves all the nutrients of almonds and provides your hair and scalp a rich dose of nourishment. - Can we apply almond oil on the face overnight?
It’s recommended to apply almond oil on the face and let it stay for 30 minutes only. - How to use almond oil for hair?
Simply apply Sweet Almond Oil to the scalp and gently massage hair from root to tip. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes, cleanse it post-treatment with a mild hair cleanser and warm water. You can also leave the oil in your hair overnight. - Can I apply almond oil on my body and leave it overnight?
Yes, almond oil can be applied and left on the body overnight.
References -
- Shi Z, et al. (1999). Analysis of physicochemical property and composition of fatty acid of almond oil. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12552899a
- Vitamin E: Fact sheet for health professionals. (2016). ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
- Sumit, K., Vivek, S., Sujata, S., & Ashish, B. (2012). Herbal cosmetics: Used for skin and hair. Inventi Rapid: Cosmeceuticals, 4, 1-7 researchgate.net/profile/Dr_Ashish_Baldi/publication/235944029_Herbal_Cosmetics_Used_for_Skin_and_Hair/links/09e4151497b76aa3c5000000.pdf
- The uses and properties of almond oil - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41404356_The_uses_and_properties_of_almond_oil