I remember my mother running behind me with a glass of milk with a few soaked almonds (which I completely hated, by the way) just before school, claiming it would make me a genius. Now, when I look back, I wished I had paid heed. Wonder why? Well, they are a powerhouse of nutrients.
But did you know that almond oil too has its share of benefits? From aiding weight loss and digestion to making your skin acne-free, almond oil can prove to be a boon for your health. Learn about the benefits, and you will vouch for it yourself.
Almond Oil — An Overview
Scientific Name – Prunus dulcis
Native – Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and North Africa
Other Names – Badam ka tel (Hindi), Badam nune (Telugu), Patam enney (Tamil)
What is almond oil?
This amazing oil is extracted from raw almonds. It owes its benefits to the generous amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, potassium, proteins, zinc, and a number of other vitamins and minerals it contains.
What are the different types of almond oil?
Technically, there are two kinds of almond oils — bitter and sweet. The bitter oil is extracted after pressing bitter almonds. They contain amygdalin that turns into toxic hydrocyanic acid after processing (1). Despite its medicinal properties, bitter almond oil cannot be ingested. This oil can be used for topical application only. Whereas, sweet almond oil is made from edible almonds. This oil is used extensively for skin and hair and for culinary purposes too.
Now that you have a fairly good idea about almonds, why not learn about their uses? So, how does almond oil help keep your skin and hair healthy? Read on.
Exploring The Goodness Of Almond Oil
Skin Benefits
- Makes The Skin Healthier
- Reduces Dark Circles
- Delays Signs Of Aging
- Removes Impurities And Dead Skin Cells
- Cures Psoriasis And Eczema
- Reduces Tan
- A Good Substitute For Hand And Foot Cream
- An Ideal Makeup Remover
- Treats Chapped Lips
- Reduces Wrinkles And Fine Lines
Hair Benefits
- Makes Your Hair Long And Healthy
- Gets Rid Of Split Ends
- Can Substitute Shine Enhancers And Leave-In Conditioners
- Treats Dandruff
- Reduces Scalp Inflammations
Health Benefits
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- Prevents Heart Ailments
- Regulates Blood Pressure And Maintains Cholesterol Levels
- Boosts Immunity And Aids Digestion
- Boosts Memory And Strengthens Nervous System
- Enhances Blood Circulation And Baby’s Bone Development
- Relieves Pain And Muscles Stress
- Promotes Healthy And Strong Nails
- Rich Source For Vitamins And Minerals
- Carries Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Provides Instant Energy
- Prevents Cancer
- Excellent For Pregnant Ladies
- Aids Weight Loss
- Treats Constipation
Beauty Benefits
Skin Benefits Of Almond Oil
In an age where appearance is everything, who wants to look like a zombie? Blame it on the harsh sun, dirt, and pollution our skin loses its charm and glow. Covering yourself from head to toe is neither an option nor feasible all the time.
But hey, don’t lose heart for here’s a natural solution in the form of almond oil — one of the many miracle oils that truly help in enhancing the complexion and tackling skin problems. Here’s how it works.
1. Makes Skin Healthier
Achieving healthy and glowing skin is not an expensive or time-consuming task anymore. Try almond oil. It not only clears complexion but also imparts a warm glow to the skin. It nourishes your skin and makes it smoother and softer.
Enriched with vitamins E, A, and B, this miraculous oil seals the moisture in the skin and also improves absorption, thus ensuring the pores aren’t blocked (2), (3).
2. Reduces Dark Circles
Pandas are cute, but having panda-like eyes isn’t cute at all. I’m talking about those under-eye circles that give you a weird and mysterious look. Taking refuge in concealers is no way to hide dark circles. Besides, branded cosmetics cost a fortune.
The solution? Go natural.
A sure shot remedy to get rid of dark circles is to massage almond eyes under your eyes before you hit the sack. The vitamin E in the almond oil will rejuvenate the skin, and with regular use, lighten the skin under your eyes (4). Regular use of almond oil will also reduce wrinkles and crow’s feet around the eyes.
3. Delays Signs Of Aging
Sagging skin. Baggy eyes. Dullness. These words are an absolute horror for us girls. Remember the spooky story of a queen bathing in the blood of young women to lock her youth forever? No, I’m not asking you to take such drastic measures. You don’t need to, especially when you have the elixir of youth handy.
Trust me, regular application of almond oil on your skin makes your skin feel younger and fresher within no time. The vitamin E and fatty acids present in this oil reverse and prevent signs of aging. It not only helps skin renewal but also fights wrinkles (5).
4. Removes Impurities And Dead Skin Cells
The skin tends to look dull due to the accumulation of dead skin cells caused by external factors like pollution, dirt, sweat, etc. The moisturizing property of almond oil loosens the impurities and the dead skin, making it extremely easy to remove them. Here’s how to achieve that.
What You Need
- 4-5 almonds (crushed)
- A teaspoon of milk
- A few drops of lemon juice
- Gram flour
What You Have To Do
Mix the ingredients and apply the paste on your face. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes before washing it off with water.
Note: Alternatively, you can make a scrub by mixing a tablespoon of almond oil and a teaspoon of sugar. Massage this scrub on the face in small circular motions to get rid of dead skin cells and blackheads.
5. Cures Psoriasis And Eczema
Almond oil is a time-tested remedy for all kinds of skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. It soothes irritation and relaxes the skin. We have already established that almond oil is an emollient. Its moisturizing property helps cure skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis (6).
6. Reduces Tan
We are forced to hide behind layers of apparels, covered from top to bottom, to protect ourselves from the sun. The blazing rays of the sun can cause sunburn and tan lines, which can adversely affect your skin.
But did you know that almond oil acts as a natural sunscreen. It has an SPF 5, and it not only prevents tan and sunburn, but also reverses the effects of the sun (7). The vitamin E in almond oil nourishes and shields the skin from harmful rays of the sun.
7. Substitute For Hand And Foot Cream
Almond oil is a light oil, and therefore, is less greasy compared to other oils. It is an inexpensive substitute for hand and foot creams.
It smoothens the skin and makes it baby soft and also gets easily absorbed in the skin owing to its lightness. Almond oil smells so good, and its zinc content soothes rough skin and heals cracked heels (8).
8. An Ideal Makeup Remover
Did you know you can use almond oil to easily remove makeup?
Almond oil effectively opens up the pores and ensures that all traces of makeup are gone (9). Moreover, it averts the occurrence of acne and can be used for all skin types.
9. Treats Chapped Lips
Soft, pink lips can be yours too, courtesy almond oil.
Almond oil’s rich vitamin content and moisturizing properties can make your lips soft and pink (10). Every time your lips feel rough and chapped, you can just dab on on a little almond oil, and you will be good to go.
10. Reduces Wrinkles And Fine Lines
Has your confidence taken a beating because of those fine lines and crow’s feet?Give your skin an almond oil massage over the weekend. The massage will also improve blood circulation and tighten your dull, aged skin.
What You Need
- 2 teaspoons almond oil
- 2 drops Vitamin E oil
What You Need To Do
1. Heat almond oil and add 2 drops of Vitamin E oil to it.
2. When the heat is bearable, apply this oil to your face and massage gently with your fingertips in a circular motion.
3. Continue this process for about 10-15 minutes and wipe it off your face with a soft towel or tissue. Splash water and pat dry.
This facial massage repairs your skin and eliminates wrinkles and fine lines with regular use. It also moisturizes and nourishes dry skin.
Now, if you are wondering if it has any benefits for your hair, here we go!
Hair Benefits Of Almond Oil
I hate oiling my hair because of its greasy and sticky nature. I do support regular oiling sessions, though. Thankfully, I was introduced to almond oil a few years back. It has all the qualities that make it a perfect hair oil, with the added benefit of being super light and aromatic. It also adds an intense luster to your hair, making it look healthy.
Here’s a peek into the benefits of almond oil for hair.
11. Long And Healthy Hair
Regular use of almond oil on the hair improves its sheen and texture.
A rich source of magnesium, almond oil prevents hair fall to a great extent (11), (12). No wonder it is used in a wide range of hair care products!
What You Need To Do
Apply almond oil once or twice a week to moisturize your scalp. After you massage your scalp, soak a towel in hot water and wrap it around your head. This will reduce hair fall and improve hair quality.
12. Gets Rid Of Split Ends
Unhealthy hair is never a good sign. But the dirt and pollution, along with our busy schedules, make it worse. Regular massage of hair with this oil can prevent split ends too.
Mix almond, castor, and olive oils in equal proportions and massage your hair with this mixture. Apply it once or twice a week, and feel the difference.
We all know that all these three oils incredibly benefit the hair as they are loaded with essential nutrients that promote hair growth and strengthen hair. Almond oil specifically has antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals that restore and rejuvenate the hair follicles.
13. Can Substitute Shine Enhancers And Leave-In Conditioners
Every time you wash your hair, you could gently massage in a few drops of this miracle oil. It will condition your hair and keep it soft, hydrated, and shiny.
Almond oil’s light texture makes it a great substitute for shine enhancers or leave-in conditioners (13). It also has amazing moisturizing properties due to the presence of essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
14. Treats Dandruff
If dandruff is stopping you from wearing your favorite black dress, it’s time you gave yourself a warm almond oil head massage.
Almond oil effectively cures dandruff by removing dead cells. It also nourishes the hair and keeps hair troubles at bay. We have already established the fact that almond oil is a great emollient that cleanses the skin and removes dead cells. This quality also helps almond oil fight dandruff and keep the scalp clean (14).
A mixture of powdered amla and almond oil applied generously on the hair and left for about 30 minutes, followed by a hair wash, is sure to soothe the scalp and ensure dandruff-free hair.
15. Reduces Scalp Inflammations
Our scalp is frequently exposed to dust, heat, pollution, and chemical styling products. All of this can lead to inflammation. If ignored, this inflammation can cause an acute case of hair fall and dandruff.
Need a solution? Go for an almond oil massage and see the results for yourself.
Its high content of fatty acids moisturizes and softens the scalp tissues and also improves blood circulation. This also soothes inflammation (15).
If you thought the benefits of almond oil are confined to just hair and skin, you are mistaken. It can be used in cooking too. Curious much? Read on.