Sweet almond oil is obtained from the cold pressing of the hazelnut, it is soothing and emollient, and useful against sunburn, stretch marks and dry skin and hair. Let's find out more about all the cosmetic properties.
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Description and composition of sweet almond oil
The almond tree, botanical name Prunus dulcis, belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its beautiful pinkish white flowers, symbol of purity, are the first to appear on fruit trees at the end of winter.
The pulp of the fruit is thin, hard and dry and therefore the fruit is not consumed; inside this unattractive fruit, however, there is the hazel, the almond, from which by cold pressing a very nourishing and soothing oil is obtained.
Sweet almond oil has a liquid appearance, a light yellow color and a delicate odor; despite being a fatty oil, it absorbs quickly on the skin.
Sweet almond oil has been used since ancient times, when Egyptian high society used it to prepare massage ointments combining honey, cinnamon and aromatic wine; today this oil is now widely recognized and used in cosmetics for its soothing and emollient properties .
Sweet almond oil is composed of about 30% linoleic acid, about 65% oleic acid and, for the remaining part, palmitic acid and stearic acid; oleic acid, present in a higher percentage, is what gives almond oil emollient and elasticizing properties to the skin.
It also contains:
- phytosterols that improve the barrier function and the microcirculation of the skin, slowing aging;
- triacylglycerols with emollient and soothing properties, which help to reconstruct the lipid film of the skin;
- triterpene alcohols that protect the skin from bacteria and fungi.
In addition to cosmetics, sweet almond oil is also used for food use as it would seem to have laxative power; moreover it is useful to reduce inflammation of the digestive system, it helps to calm the cough and to remove the bronchial mucus. Due to its allergenic potential, it is not recommended for people with allergies to nuts.
Properties and use of sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil is used above all for massages on the body because besides having emollient and nourishing properties, it is almost odorless and is very easy to apply, since it is quickly absorbed on the skin.
In the massage, sweet almond oil protects the skin from dehydration, is invigorating, activates skin repair, soothes itching and irritation and helps prevent stretch marks.
It is indicated for dry and very dry skin, for fragile and delicate skin, in case of irritation, burns and chapped skin. It can be used pure or in combination with other oils and essential oils in massages or to make lotions for facial cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing creams.
- For burns and burns, an oil prepared with ten milliliters of sweet almond oil can be applied to the area to be treated, to which ten drops of lavender essential oil have been added.
- To prevent stretch marks, use sweet almond oil pure or combined with essential oil of Tangerine and Shea Butter previously dissolved in a bain-marie.
Although it is recommended as a massage oil for use in pregnancy, some experts say that the continuous application of sweet almond oil during pregnancy could cause peanut allergies in the baby; therefore it is preferable to alternate the application of almond oil with that of other food grade vegetable oils or butters.
Sweet almond oil among natural detergents for baby baths
Sweet almond oil for hair care
In addition to skin, sweet almond oil is also useful for hair care . It prevents hair dehydration and thanks to its emollient properties, it revitalizes and restores strength and shine to damaged hair. It also helps reduce dandruff.
It is recommended for dry, brittle, frizzy and colored hair and is used both in shampoos and in conditioners and hair masks. For an intensive treatment for very dry hair, just massage sweet almond oil over the whole hair, wrap in a warm towel and leave on for a few hours a night; past the time of laying, proceed with the normal shampoo.
In addition to being used pure, sweet almond oil can be used in synergy with other oils and essential oils:
- to restore brightness to the hair it is associated with vegetable ceramides, castor oil and ylang-ylang essential oil;
- to strengthen hair it is used together with coconut oil, Shea butter and Mango butter;
- for brittle hair and nails, just mix sweet almond oil with borage vegetable oil and lemon essential oil.
Sweet almond oil is readily available both in herbal medicine and in supermarkets and has a very low cost. It is considered a stable oil but it turns rancid quite quickly, so it is preferable to consume it within a couple of months of opening or, alternatively, keep it in the refrigerator.
