7 Sweet Almond Oil Benefits Your Skin Will Love

A blossoming almond tree is a wonderful sight to behold. Almond trees, aka Prunus Dulcis Var. Amygdalus are native to North Africa, India, and the Middle East. Throughout history, this tree has been used by many cultures for a wide range of applications. It’s even been used as a wood conditioner in instruments included in the woodwinds family (clarinets, oboes, etc.).

Not only do sweet almond trees have impressively delicate flowers, but their seeds (almonds) are also used in a wide variety of food products as well as for producing sweet almond oil. Almond oil has a pale yellow color and is used heavily in the cosmetic and beauty industry due to its skin-nourishing emollient properties.

Natural carrier oils like sweet almond oil have been surging in popularity for their many uses and promising benefits. This particular carrier oil is very high in vitamin A, vitamin E, and monosaturated fats. Not to be confused with bitter almond essential oil, sweet almond oil is packed with benefits and is quite safe, even when applied directly to the skin. So, let’s dig a little deeper as we explore the amazing benefits of this oil.

Almond Oil for Dark Circles

We’ve already discussed how almond oil can be used as a natural remedy for dark circles elsewhere here on Enticingly Simple. But, to recap, sweet almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties, is quite an effective moisturizer, is rich in antioxidants, and is an effective emollient. All of these properties make this oil very useful for applying it to dark circles under the eyes.

Besides the obvious benefits to the sensitive skin under the eye, almond oil is also said to aid in the contracting of dilated blood vessels that cause discoloration under the eye in the first place. Also, it’s said to be a great source of vitamin K, which can reduce dark circles when applied topically. However, this point has been debated by some, and further research is still needed to substantiate the claim more fully.

When this great oil is coupled with other ingredients packed with amazing skin nourishing benefits (Manuka Honey, for example), it makes for an amazing natural solution for you if you have dark circles under your eyes. For further reading and recipes, read our other post: “Almond Oil for Dark Circles“.

Smooth and Healthy Skin

Almond oil is mild and gentle and can be used by people with sensitive skin. In fact, it has been named one of the best massage oils for infants. When rubbed onto the skin, almond oil is gently absorbed, keeping the skin hydrated and comfortable all day. Better yet, its pleasant scent has delicately sweet and nutty overtones.

Plus, if you want to vary the scent from time to time, just add any essential oil scent of your choice. This can be done safely since almond oil is a carrier oil that will effectively dilute any essential oil of your choosing in accordance with the best safety practices in regard to essential oil use.

There are so many synthetic ingredients in store-bought lotions and skin balms. So, those who are wise and health-conscious choose to always opt for something natural or homemade instead. For example, homemade body butter is packed with multiple ingredients that promote dashingly healthy skin.

And, as you’ve probably guessed already, almond oil is often one of the main ingredients in body butter! Homemade body butter is also very simple and easy to make. Check out one recipe below that includes almond oil as the main ingredient.

Whipped Body Butter With Cocoa

This simple recipe is very easy to make; it uses only a few basic ingredients. Though the ingredients in this recipe are simple, their benefits to your skin are wide-ranging. So, go ahead and make this body butter for yourself, then see how your own skin improves first-hand. What you’ll need is ½ cup cocoa butter, ½ cup coconut oil, ½ cup shea butter, ½ cup almond oil, and 10-30 drops of essential oil of your choice.

Instructions:

Excluding the essential oils, go ahead and gently heat up all other ingredients in a saucepan, glass container, or double boiler.
When melted, remove from the heat and stir in your essential oils.
Allow the mixture to cool in the fridge for an hour until it begins to solidify.
With a hand or cake mixer, whip the mixture for 10 minutes or until fluffy.
Place the mixture in the fridge until thoroughly cooled.
Store your homemade body butter in a glass jar with a tight lid.

Again, if you want smooth and healthy skin, almond oil is one oil that will help you achieve that goal. Go ahead and try the above recipe. You’ll absolutely love it. For more information and body butter recipes, take a look at our page: “Quick and Easy: How to Make Body Butter.”

Oil Cleansing Method: Oil Dissolves Oil

For deep skin cleansing, oil wouldn’t be the first ingredient that comes to mind for most people. Well, if you’ve heard of the oil cleansing method, you know about the concept of oil dissolving oil. For those with normal skin, fatty acid and high oleic oils like almond oil and avocado oil are very useful for cleansing skin without having to resort to harsh chemicals. In this method, skin, dirt, and debris are cleared away by using oil instead of harsh cleansers and chemicals.

There’s simply no reason to dry out your face with today’s cleansers unless you want wrinkles, irritated skin, or more acne flare-ups. Now, of course, no one wants those things. So, opt for natural ingredients that won’t strip your skin of the oils it needs in order to heal itself and effectively hold in moisture. Regular application of oils for facial cleansing will allow them to penetrate deep into the skin, dislodging the dirt and debris accumulated in pores and around hair follicles. When it comes to the health of your skin, never skimp by failing to use natural and homemade face cleansers.

Now, for those of you who may be acne-prone, there are more preferred kinds of oils for your skin type. Studies show that acne sufferers may benefit the most from oils rich in linoleic acid since those individuals usually have low levels of linoleic acid in their skin lipids. These natural oils include hemp oil, rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, and safflower oil. Safflower and grapeseed are especially good at balancing your skin’s natural oils if you have problems with acne. Furthermore, it’s less likely that these oils will clog your pores if you already have an oily skin type.

Eczema and Psoriasis Relief

Eczema and Psoriasis are autoimmune conditions caused by the body’s reaction to internal triggers. While each person’s experience with these conditions varies, one thing is for certain: Maintaining proper skin moisture is extremely important. The need to use moisturizers is quite common with these conditions because the skin is unable to maintain the proper amount of moisture. Therefore, oils and other emollients will help to lock in moisture, promoting the skin’s natural ability to heal itself.

Almond oil, as an emollient, is very effective at locking in skin moisture. Again, there’s no need to turn to store-bought lotions that contain ingredients neither you nor I would be able to pronounce. If your most important concern is to keep your skin moisturized, natural moisturizers like almond oil and others are just as effective at locking in moisture as the endless choices found at the store. Plus, the benefits of almond oil can also be combined with benefits from other natural oils when mixed.

Again, natural emollients should be used to assist the skin’s moisturization ability. But, if you have a more severe case of eczema or psoriasis, you should seek medical advice from your doctor for other possible treatments when moisturization alone isn’t enough. Also, always be sure to try any new moisturizer on a small part of your skin before applying it to the entire body if you have skin that’s easily irritated to make sure it won’t cause more frequent flare-ups.

Skin Rash Treatment

Skin rashes are very common in small children wearing diapers and adults as well. The constant rubbing of your skin against hard materials, as well as skin-to-skin friction, can easily cause soreness, resulting in chafed skin. To tackle this problem, most doctors prescribe zinc-based creams to their patients, where zinc functions as a kind of skin barrier that prevents any further irritation, allowing the skin to heal.

For those who’d like to avoid using zinc-oxide-containing synthetic creams for treating rashes, almond oil is a great alternative. It’s said to be naturally rich in minerals such as zinc and helps to reduce inflammation without irritating your skin.

Reducing Signs of Aging and Fine Lines

We all enjoy having smooth and youthful-looking skin, right? But do we know what actually helps us maintain such beautiful and flawless looks? Young and beautiful skin is a result of a structural protein called collagen. It forms an even layer of padding under the skin, which serves to keep it taut yet supple. As we start to age, the padding offered by the collagen cells begins to thin and break down, making it light and uneven.

Premature aging is caused by external factors such as excessive sun exposure, dehydration, lack of proper nutrition, tobacco smoking, and chemical exposure. While it’s not possible to stop the aging process altogether(sorry, it’s really not possible), almond oil is highly regarded as an oil that promotes skin health and helps to prevent the underlying causes of premature skin aging.

Again, not to sound like a broken record, but maintaining proper skin moisturization is a necessity for healthy skin. Almond oil is an especially well-rounded oil for doing just that.

Sleek and Shiny Hair

The benefits of almond oil on your hair and scalp are rather obvious due to what we’ve already discussed in terms of its ability to promote healthy, rejuvenated skin. Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. Did you know that those who suffer from dry scalp and dandruff tend to experience greater hair loss than those who don’t? One study, in particular, shows that 150 men who used anti-dandruff shampoo for a period of 6 months not only found dandruff relief but also experienced decreased hair loss.

So, while the main cause of hair loss is not dandruff or other scalp conditions, people who have those conditions tend to have a higher incidence of hair loss. This may be due to excess scratching of the scalp, inflammation, or clogged hair follicles, which are all common skin conditions relating to the scalp.

You can apply almond oil before washing your hair by gently massaging the oil into your scalp and working your way from the roots of your hair to the tips. It’s suggested to do this 20-30 minutes before washing your hair so that it has time to penetrate and moisturize the scalp. Once finished, go ahead and wash your hair with a gentle shampoo. If preferred, you can follow up with a natural leave-in conditioner. Jojoba oil is another solid choice for healthy hair and scalp, too, maybe even more preferred than almond oil. For more application ideas and further details related to this, you should check out our post on Jojoba oil.

Closing Thoughts

Well, if you haven’t tried almond oil for any of the uses we’ve discussed, you ought to go ahead and give it a try. Countless individuals have experienced the benefits of this natural oil, as well as many other oils. With such a wide range of naturally effective solutions available for our most common and basic skin-care needs, there’s no reason to resort to synthetic products.

Many people complain that natural solutions aren’t really solutions at all and that the “go natural” movement is just a fad. They’ll also pretend that almost every natural benefit related to natural ingredients found online must be a tale and legend since there’s so much misinformation on the internet and in the industry. Following this reasoning, they give into their assumptions by automatically assuming that any claimed benefit of a natural compound or product must be inaccurate.

While that’s simply not the case, and while there are studies to show the efficacy of many natural alternatives, let’s just entertain their reasoning for a bit. You see, it’s also been said that many of the claims made by synthetic cosmetic manufacturers aren’t true either. Those same manufacturers also spend billions of dollars to get us to purchase their products.

So, what about their products? Well, for the most part, they fall way short of the claims they make as well. I don’t know about you, but if I was given the option to use something on my skin that wasn’t really effective at delivering on its claims, I’d rather use something like a correctly mixed natural oil rather than a cocktail of chemicals created in some lab (some of which may be carcinogenic). Really, friend, ditch the chemicals!

Sweet Almond Oil Benefits FAQs

How does sweet almond oil smell?

It has a light, nutty aroma, similar to the scent of fresh almonds (hence the name). The smell is pleasant and not very strong.

What is the texture of sweet almond oil?

Sweet almond oil has a lightweight, silky texture. It is moisturizing but absorbs easily into the skin and does not feel greasy.

What are some uses of sweet almond oil?

It’s commonly used as a moisturizer for skin and hair. It also works well as a massage oil and carrier oil for diluting essential oils.

Does sweet almond oil stain?

Sweet almond oil does not stain but can leave oil marks on fabric. The oil marks can be removed by pre-treating with dish soap before washing.

How long does sweet almond oil last?

Unopened, sweet almond oil lasts 12-18 months. Opened bottles should be used within six months. Store in a cool, dark place to maximize shelf life.

Is sweet almond oil comedogenic?

No, sweet almond oil is considered non-comedogenic, so it does not clog pores or cause acne for most people. Always patch test first.

What makes sweet almond oil good for your skin?

Sweet almond oil contains vitamins A, B, and E to nourish skin and fatty acids to lock in moisture and improve skin elasticity.

Does almond oil make a good natural makeup remover?

It dissolves makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of moisture, leaving it soft and smooth.

Does almond oil hydrate dry skin and hands?

Almond oil absorbs easily to deeply hydrate dry skin without feeling greasy, making it a great moisturizer.

Which essential oils blend well with sweet almond oil?

Some essential oils that complement and blend well with sweet almond oil (as a carrier oil) include the ones below. There are so many options!

Lavender – Has a floral, calming scent that mixes nicely with the nutty aroma of sweet almond oil. Lavender also has skin-soothing benefits.
Lemon – The citrusy scent of lemon uplifts, blends, and provides cleansing properties. Lemon oil can help brighten and tone skin. Stay out of the sun, though, since it’s a photosensitive oil, which can make you more prone to sunburn.
Frankincense – This woody, spicy essential oil blends well with the lighter almond oil. Frankincense promotes relaxation and is suitable for mature skin.
Rosemary – Rosemary’s herbaceous, invigorating scent combines well with sweet almond’s nuttiness. Rosemary oil can improve circulation and may even stimulate hair growth, according to studies.
Bergamot – This citrus oil has a delicate, floral aroma that complements the scent of sweet almond oil when blended. It’s excellent for soothing stressed skin.
Geranium – With its floral, rosy tones, geranium mixes nicely with nutty almond oil. It helps regulate sebum and balance mood.
Ylang Ylang – The exotic, floral bouquet of ylang ylang intertwines beautifully with almond’s nutty profile.