Sweet almond oil is the result of pressing the seeds of Prunus Dulcis, the almond tree. It is a product with marked nourishing qualities which is successfully used in cosmetics and in food. Cold pressing is generally carried out to keep its properties unaltered. A mechanism that allows the extraction of the precious oil without compromising its many nutrients.
There is no aesthetic blemish that sweet almond oil can’t fix. Moisturizing, with strong nourishing qualities, sweet almond oil, like other vegetable oils, is especially ideal for the care of the epidermis.
In fact, the large amount of fatty acids and proteins make it suitable for the treatment of dry skin with a tendency to stretch marks, even in the case of sensitive or very reactive skin. It is also indicated to counteract skin aging.
Having a bottle of sweet almond oil at home will allow you to successfully manage many small beauty problems in a completely natural way.
Sweet almond oil: properties and what it is
Sweet almond oil is a compound rich in vitamins, in particular of group B, proteins, mineral salts, fatty acids and phytosterols. Nutrients that make it ideal for fighting skin aging and at the same time promoting cell renewal.
Precisely to keep its qualities intact, the oil is cold extracted from the oilseed contained in the fruit of the plant. Therefore, neither chemical solvents nor high temperatures are used.
An important clarification: when we talk about plants we are referring to the variety that gives rise to sweet almonds. Due to their toxicity, linked to the presence of hydrogen cyanide, bitter almonds are used in small quantities as a flavoring for liqueurs and in pharmaceutical chemistry.
If you are interested in the topic, discover our in-depth study on almonds.
What is it for
It is elasticising, emollient, hydrating and nourishing. Due to its delicacy it can also be used on the skin of children and babies. It has a rather high rate of deterioration, which is why it is often added to vitamin E which has a high preservation power.
The presence of this antioxidant vitamin increases the nourishing power of sweet almond oil. Almond oil contains:
- oleic acid: belongs to the family of omega 9 fatty acids, emollient for the skin.
- Linoleic acid: progenitor of the fatty acids of the omega 6 series.
- Phytosterols.
- Triglycerides that protect the lipid film of the skin.
- Triterpene alcohols with disinfectant power.
Sweet almond oil: uses and benefits
Due to the richness of its nutrients, sweet almond oil has a very wide range of action, mostly cosmetic. Skin and hair are the ones that enjoy the most regular application of sweet almond oil, but it can also be used as a food supplement and condiment.
It is also recommended for a particular oral cavity cleaning technique. Let’s see in detail.
Sweet almond oil for hair
If you have very dry or frizzy hair, you can apply oil packs. Apply it to damp hair before shampooing.
Leave it on for 30 minutes and then proceed with a delicate wash. If your scalp is very oily, apply the oil only to the ends. Massaging the scalp with sweet almond oil can counteract dandruff.
Gently warm the oil in your hands and then apply it with your fingertips on the scalp, making a very deep massage, almost to detach the scalp. The blood circulation that is activated following the massage will also help in case of capillary fragility or fall. Into this, you can add some rosemary and fenugreek essential oil.
As a facial and anti-wrinkle treatment
This oil has a nourishing and smoothing action on the skin of the face, which is much thinner than that of the body. And for this reason it must be treated in a specific way. Regularly applying the oil on the face counteracts the arrival of wrinkles.
Be careful though. An oil has a heavier weight than a serum and a cream, so it must be applied at the end of your routine, preferably in the evening. Otherwise it prevents the absorption of other substances.
The ideal, therefore, is to cleanse your face as you usually do and apply a few drops of almond oil after your night cream to create a barrier that prevents hydration from dispersing.
For facial cleansing
Sweet almond oil can also be used to cleanse the skin of the face. In double cleansing you can apply it before the foamy cleanser, perhaps mixing it with a few drops of rose hydrosol, to capture and eliminate make-up and dirt. After spreading it, remove it gently with a wet cloth and then proceed to the second wash.
For a treatment that combines cleansing and toning, we suggest massaging the skin of the face for a long time with sweet almond oil. This nourishes the tissues and thanks to the movement of the hands it favors the elimination of blackheads and small accumulations of sebum.
Arm yourself with patience and spread the almond oil for at least twenty minutes with circular movements and from the inside out. Insist on the nose and jaw area, making upward movements.
After the time has elapsed, remove again with a warm cloth, without rubbing but gently. Then proceed with cleansing and applying serum and cream.
For the private parts
Sweet almond oil also has a toning and nourishing effect on the intimate parts. In fact, it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties as well as being calming and regenerating. In this case, sweet almond oil should be applied only once a day, in the evening, with a compress.
Furthermore, the oil carries out a targeted action against itching and dryness and the compresses are also effective against burning and pain.
On the body and stretch marks
Sweet almond oil has an elasticizing effect on the tissues. For this reason, its use is recommended in case of weight loss.
The use of sweet almond oil, in fact, contrasts the arrival of stretch marks linked to the loss of body fat. To obtain appreciable results, the most affected areas must be massaged for a long time and constantly: belly, hips and buttocks. The skin will become more compact, hydrated and smooth over time.
If your body skin is particularly dehydrated, we recommend applying a generous amount of sweet almond oil before showering or bathing. Insist on arms, legs and belly and absolutely where you need it most. Do not use soap on the parts that you have treated with the oil, but gently massage under the jet of warm water with a small towel.
Dead cells will be eliminated by this light scrub and your skin will be very soft.
Pregnant
Sweet almond oil is one of the few products that a future mother can safely use during pregnancy. Applied delicately on the belly and hips, it helps keep the skin elastic and counteract the onset of stretch marks, those small skin lesions that are generated when the skin is subjected to severe stress.
The tearing of collagen fibers, which is the most important protein in our skin, is irreversible. For this reason, keeping the skin elastic first is always the best solution.
Discover the perineal massage with almond oil to be done during pregnancy.
On the hands
In these times where hand cleanliness and hygiene are vital, we often end up with dry and cracked skin. Use sweet almond oil daily on your hands to nourish and protect them.
Insist on the cuticles to soften them and also on the nails to strengthen them in case they are brittle. For an even stronger effect, apply almond oil on your hands and then put on cotton gloves before going to sleep.
Food uses
Sweet almond oil can also be used as a dietary supplement. In fact, it has an emollient and soothing action on the digestive system. According to yogic tradition, anything oily helps us eliminate toxins.
That’s why taking two tablespoons of sweet almond oil a day helps us expel the toxic substances produced by our metabolism.
It is no coincidence that sweet almond oil, together with coconut and sesame oil, is recommended for another well-known Ayurvedic technique: oil pulling. This is the daily cleaning of the oral cavity done through applications of oil as a mouthwash.
In ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is also used to protect the intestines and airways. It is delicious used raw also to dress salads and various dishes.
Sweet almond oil: how much it costs and the best products
Sweet almond oil is one of the cheapest on the market. A liter costs an average of twelve euros, a figure that can be tackled especially if we consider the large number of uses that can be made of it.
Another undoubted quality of sweet almond oil is how easy it is to find. It is really found in every large-scale supermarket as well as in organic shops, pharmacies and herbalists.
However, this should push you to refine your searches. An oil need not be expensive to be effective. The important thing is that the raw materials come from organic farming and that it is cold pressed.
In order to leave its properties unchanged. Also pay attention to the packaging, preferring dark packs. In fact, it is important that the oil is always protected from light.
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