By Shammi Mondal
Almond’s popularity has soared in the past few years—it's a popular dairy alternative for vegans and has quite a fan following amongst athletes. But you also know that this humble nut first gained recognition for its numerous skincare benefits. Almond oil for your face has been a skincare hero that hydrates dry skin and treats other skin concerns. To know how this nut can benefit for your skin’s hydration levels, keep reading.
What is almond oil?
Simply put, almond oil is extracted by crushing and grinding the dry fruit. The nutty oil is packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is fast-absorbing, lightweight, highly emollient, making it a popular skincare choice—did we also mention it hydrates and soothes skin. To know how good almond oil is for your skin, let’s take a deeper dive.
A little history first
Did you know that using almond oil for your skin and face dates to ancient times? Yep, that's right! The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used almond oil for its moisturising and nourishing properties. Cleopatra was said to be a fan of almond oil and applied it to keep her skin looking smooth and youthful.
Almond oil plays a key role in the Chinese and ayurvedic schools of medicine for treating skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema. Furthermore, there is also anecdotal evidence of the oil being used by the Greco-Persians to erase post-surgery scarring and even out burn marks on the skin.
What makes it special?
There are two kinds of almond oils: sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil. While bitter almond oil is good for your skin, it has a stronger scent and is not considered safe to eat or drink. Its ‘sweeter’ cousin is known to be good for your gut, can be ingested and is considered better for your skin too. Here is a list of compositions that give almond oil its magical traits.
What will almond oil do for my skin?
Now that you’ve understood the constituents of almond oil, let’s check out how it benefits your skin.
How to use almond oil for the skin?
The versatile ingredient has a few ways in which you can reap its benefits. You can include sweet almond oil in your skincare routine in the following ways:
1. Make it your makeup remover
Almond oil can easily slip in as your makeup remover and break down the most long-lasting concealer and the toughest eye makeup. The oil is gentle enough to be used around your eyes and is packed with soothing properties that will not damage your skin barrier.
Take a small, coin-sized amount of almond oil on your palm and apply it in circular motions around your face. This will gently take away all the makeup without any tugging or pulling. You can either wash it off with warm water or use a cotton pad to wipe away the remnants. Follow up this with your favourite cleanser.
2. Try it as a moisturiser
Almond oil for your face, on its own, is a great stand-alone skincare solution. You can directly apply it on cleansed skin. You can even apply it to give yourself a relaxing face massage to reduce puffiness.
However, you can also look out for it in skincare formulations, like moisturisers to give it an added boost of hydration. Or you can apply almond oil as the last step of your skincare routine, not only will this help your lock in moisture, but it also improves your skin’s elasticity.
We love these almond oils for your face and skincare needs
We’re here to make your life easier, so we’ve curated a selection of almond oils that are nothing but the best for you.
Got more questions? Scroll on to read the answers
1. Is almond oil good for my sunburnt skin?
A. Almond oil is a great anti-inflammatory skincare solution and can effectively heal sunburnt skin. It has a calming effect on irritated and inflamed skin making it a suitable choice for treating sunburns.
2. Can I apply almond oil on my face every day?
A. Yes! Almond oil is a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil, which means it will not clog your pores but simply hydrate and nourish it. Applying almond oil on your face will give you healthier, even toned, and firmer skin.
3. Can I apply almond oil on my face overnight?
A. Yes! You can apply almond oil on your face and let it moisturise your skin through the night. The emollient ingredient is a great moisturiser and can help you get closer to brighter and nourished skin.