We ask ourselves, what is sweet almond oil good for? What are the benefits of almond oil? What are the properties of almond oil? And today we'll answer them, since sweet almond oil, of all beauty products, is one of the best known for its properties and benefits . With its sweet aroma, it has been used throughout the centuries in both medicine and skin care, thanks to its great nutritional power.
But in this post we are also going to tell you the difference between sweet and bitter almond oil , and we are going to debunk a fake that is circulating on the networks, and that is that sweet almond oil does NOT stain the skin with the sun , that is, it is not a photosensitizing or photosensitive oil.
Differences between sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil
It is important to know the difference between the two, sweet almond oil is extracted from the ripe seeds of the sweet almond tree ( Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis ), it is a soft and light oil, with a sweet and pleasant aroma, it is widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry due to its nourishing, emollient and softening properties for the skin, and it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and babies.
Bitter almonds , on the other hand, are of the “amara” variety ( Prunus dulcis var. amara) , these almonds contain a higher concentration of toxic compounds, such as hydrocyanic acid, better known as cyanide, which can be harmful to health if ingested or applied to the skin in large quantities, Unlike sweet almond oil, bitter almond oil is not safe for use in cosmetic products due to its potential toxicity. Cyanide is a potent poison that can be lethal in high enough concentrations, it is found in the seeds, leaves and bark of bitter almonds, and is released when these parts of the plant are damaged or crushed.
When applied topically to the skin, bitter almond oil can be absorbed by the body, allowing hydrocyanic acid to penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Hydrogen cyanide inhibits the body's ability to utilize oxygen at the cellular level, which can lead to severe symptoms and even death in extreme cases.
It is important to know that it is very difficult to differentiate an almond tree of the "dulcis" variety, which produces sweet almonds, from an almond tree of the "amara" variety. At first glance, both trees look the same; they produce the same flowers and the same fruit.
Benefits and properties of sweet almond oil for the skin
The benefits of sweet almond oil for your skin go far beyond that. Here are some of them:
- Skin regenerator , the benefits of sweet almond oil on the skin are magnificent, helping to soothe wounds and burns. It contains Omega 6, Omega 3, and vitamin E, not only on the face as an anti-wrinkle agent, but also throughout the body. It nourishes and provides elasticity to the skin. In conjunction with other oils such as rosehip oil or argan oil, as we can see in products like Radiant Skin Serum , the facial serum with almond oil that deeply nourishes the skin.
- It has makeup-removing properties . In addition to softening your skin, just a few drops on your daily cotton pad are enough to remove makeup residue. With a combination of apricot oil, almond oil, and sesame oil , Clear Look Almond & Apricot Eye and Lip Makeup Remover gently removes all types of makeup.
- Prevents and softens wrinkles . Due to its high vitamin content, sweet almond oil helps soften wrinkles on your face. If you've always cared for and hydrated your skin, you won't need more than a few drops to look much younger and fresher.
- Strengthens eyelashes . People often ask, what is almond oil good for eyelashes? If you apply a little almond oil to your eyelashes, you'll help them grow stronger and faster. This step is very simple; just dip a cotton swab in the oil and you'll soon notice a significant change.
- Softer lips. Sweet almond oil makes our lips softer and prevents them from chapping in the cold. You can use it as a natural lip balm.
- Anti-dark circles . Almond oil is one of the best allies for dark circles. A little oil on the eye contour will gradually reduce the darkness and dark circles, thanks primarily to its antioxidant content.
Aside from its beneficial properties for the face, almond oil has many other benefits, for example for the body and hair.
Benefits and properties of sweet almond oil for the body
- It firms the skin. Without a doubt, one of the biggest problems. By applying the oil properly and frequently, you'll see how your skin looks much firmer.
- It's a powerful anti-stretch mark treatment . Women's skin, especially during certain periods, tends to undergo significant volume changes. Almond oil helps keep the skin hydrated enough to prevent stretch marks. With a gentle circular massage a couple of times a day, you'll be able to reduce the appearance of stretch marks after pregnancy or a sudden weight change.
- Stronger nails. The oil's nourishing properties allow your nails to regain their thickness, become softer, and less brittle.
- It regenerates the areas that need it most . It would be, for example, a perfect ingredient for your homemade pedicure, as it helps hydrate your feet and heels, one of the areas that suffer the most during the summer. It helps relieve dry, itchy skin, and, because it's highly soothing, we recommend it for treating areas where you may have psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis.
- Relaxing . In addition to its physical properties, almond oil is perfect for massages, as it is quickly absorbed. It helps soothe stress and anxiety.
How to apply sweet almond oil to the body?
It all depends on your goal, but to regenerate and hydrate the skin, it's recommended to massage the most affected areas in small circles until the product is fully absorbed.
Take advantage of your nighttime routine to apply it to both your face and body. Nighttime is a time for your skin to absorb all the benefits of almond oil and allow it to settle properly.
Does sun exposure after using sweet almond oil cause skin spots?
We need to debunk this misconception, which pops up on many websites and social media: sweet almond oil is considered non-photosensitizing , meaning it doesn't significantly increase skin sensitivity to sunlight or increase the risk of dark spots after sun exposure. In fact, sweet almond oil is commonly used in skincare products to help soothe and moisturize the skin, especially after sun exposure.
Although sweet almond oil itself is not photosensitizing, it is important to be aware of other ingredients that may be present in skincare products containing this oil. Some ingredients, such as certain essential oils like lemon, bergamot, lime, or verbena, can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and increase the risk of sun spots. Therefore, it is always important to read product labels and heed any warnings about photosensitivity.
Photosensitization refers to the increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. This phenomenon is the result of a physicochemical reaction between the ultraviolet rays that reach the skin and certain photosensitive substances present in some ingredients used in cosmetic product formulations. As a result, various adverse effects on the skin can occur, such as irritation, changes in pigmentation, dermatitis, blisters, and burns.
Benefits and properties of almond oil for hair
- Growth. Almond oil stimulates hair growth. It regenerates and nourishes hair when used as a serum or face mask .
- Hydration and shine . Another major benefit for hair is that it provides shine and combats dryness thanks to its proteins and various vitamins. It helps improve scalp health thanks to its oleic fatty acids.
- Anti-hair loss properties . Using the oil on your hair combats hair loss and prevents baldness.
- Treats and prevents problems such as dandruff. Almond oil has the property of maintaining scalp moisture, making it an excellent aid in combating itching and the buildup of dead cells that are linked to dandruff.
- Repairs damaged ends and hair. Its vitamins and essential fatty acids help keep hair strong and healthy. By hydrating from within, we prevent hair from breaking and the appearance of dreaded split ends.
How to apply almond oil to your hair?
To apply sweet almond oil to your hair and care for it, you can create your own mask by mixing almond oil with other natural products, or you can apply a small amount of the product and spread it from roots to ends, focusing on the driest ends. This will help regenerate and hydrate the most damaged areas and heal them.
If you're not using organic, cold-pressed almond oil yet... we recommend you try it!
