Sweet almond oil is an oil extracted from ripe almonds of the species Prunus amygdalus sweethaving several health benefits, such as preventing or treating dry skin, softening or preventing wrinkles and expression lines, avoiding stretch marks during pregnancy or relieving itching or skin irritation.
This oil has emollient and moisturizing properties due to the presence of vitamin A and E, and omega-3 in its composition, and can be applied directly to the skin, after bathing, or diluted in a moisturizing cream to soften, hydrate and tone the skin.
Furthermore, sweet almond oil can also be used on hair, to hydrate, add shine and prevent dryness and can also be used on nails, to hydrate cuticles and make them less visible.
11 benefits of sweet almond oil
The main benefits of almond oil are:
- Prevent or treat dry skin;
- Increase skin elasticity and softness;
- Smooth or prevent wrinkles and expression lines;
- Avoid stretch marks during pregnancy;
- Soothe and soften dry skin;
- Soften scars on the skin;
- Seal the cuticles of hair strands, reducing breakage and split ends;
- Reduce dryness of hair strands;
- Moisturize and nourish the scalp skin;
- Soften and hydrate nail cuticles;
- Relieve itching and rashes on the skin.
Furthermore, sweet almond oil, being rich in vitamin A, can be used to prevent and combat inflammation or skin infections, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema or acne, for example.
These benefits are due to the emollient and moisturizing properties, which help prevent water loss and maintain moisture in the skin or hair.
Can you eat almond oil?
Almond oil can be ingested orally, to prepare food or to season salads, for example.
This oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, having several benefits for the cardiovascular system, such as lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL), preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke, for example.
To use almond oil, preference should be given to virgin or unrefined oil, and when preparing food, you should avoid using very high heat, as the oil may lose its nutritional properties. See also the benefits of consuming almonds.
How to use
Sweet almond oil can be used as follows:
1. Hydration of baby’s skin
Sweet almond oil can be used on the baby, after bathing, to hydrate and soften the skin, as it is a natural oil, which has no perfume and, therefore, does not cause allergies on the baby’s skin.
To use sweet almond oil on your baby, simply dilute a little of the oil in your baby’s moisturizing cream and apply a little of the mixture to your baby’s skin after bathing, massaging it.
2. Preventing stretch marks during pregnancy
Sweet almond oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, as it is moisturizing and promotes skin elasticity, preventing the formation of stretch marks as the belly skin stretches.
Pregnant women should dilute sweet almond oil in stretch mark cream and apply it to their body skin after bathing, especially in places where stretch marks frequently appear. To benefit from the effects of the oil, it must be applied every day in the areas most prone to the appearance of stretch marks.
3. Hair hydration
Sweet almond oil can be used to moisturize and add shine to dry, brittle hair. To do this, simply make a mask with sweet almond oil and apply it to your hair, before applying shampoo.
Another alternative is to apply a few drops of oil only to the ends, after drying, or before going to sleep, leaving it to act overnight.
4. Nail and cuticle treatment
Sweet almond oil can be used to strengthen nails and to soften and hydrate cuticles, helping to improve their appearance.
To enjoy its benefits, simply heat some sweet almond oil, dip your fingertips in the oil for 10 minutes and push back your cuticles. An alternative could be to apply the oil to your nails and cuticles before going to sleep, leaving it to act overnight.
5. Skin nutrition and hydration
Sweet almond oil can also be used daily to hydrate and nourish the body’s skin, leaving it softer.
A good tip is to add a few drops of oil to your moisturizer, before applying it to your body. Find out what are the common causes of dry skin and what to do to treat it.
6. Relieve skin irritation
Almond oil can be used for skin problems such as atopic dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis, as it helps relieve irritation, itching and rashes.
Furthermore, as it is rich in vitamin A, almond oil helps treat acne and soften pimple scars on the skin.
Therefore, you can use almond oil daily, applying a few drops to your skin or adding it to your daily moisturizer, to use on your skin, preferably after showering, when the skin is still damp.
Who shouldn’t use
Almond oil should not be used by people who are allergic to almonds or tree nuts, for example.
Additionally, bitter almond oil (Prunus amygdalus due) should not be consumed orally by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
