The Benefits of Almond Oil on Hair and Skin

If our grandmothers are to be believed, then almond can do no wrong ever. From nutrition to beauty benefits, this nut has been part of cosmetics and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years now. In ancient times, places like Greece and Italy believed eating almonds, or partaking of the oil pressed from the nut, could cure drunkenness and hangovers. Over the past few years, the benefits of almond oil have been heavily extolled by everyone from doctors to celebrities, who swear that our skin, hair and even the digestive system improve with its use.

Bitter/Sweet

Almond oil comes in two varieties – bitter and sweet. Bitter almond oil is an essential oil, while its sweeter version is carrier oil that is often used to dilute the essential oil before use. While these oils come from separate trees and nuts, both are enormously beneficial and have similar properties. The only difference is that the bitter almond and its oil cannot be eaten or used in cooking, but only used externally.

How it helps

Rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin D and packed with the goodness of essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, almond oil has several benefits, both external and internal.

Hair-care

Once or twice a week, give yourself a head massage with almond oil. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you can add other essential oils like lavender, lemon or rosemary. Once you’ve massaged the oil in well, soak a towel in hot water and wrap it around your head. Leave this on for about 20 minutes to an hour, and then wash off. Since this oil has a mild, sweet smell, you won’t smell of it for days after, unlike other, heavier oils. The benefits are:

Almond oil nourishes hair right to its roots
Gives relief from hair fall
Controls frizz and makes hair smooth
Darkens hair and helps it grow longer
Dull hair benefits greatly from all the vitamins this oil possesses. With regular use, your hair will be naturally glossy

For your Skin

With all the vitamins it’s got packed into it, almond oil suits any type of skin. The great thing is, it absorbs easily so it won’t leave your skin greasy and oily. You can apply a small amount of almond oil to your face every night before going to bed.

Almond oil makes skin smooth and soft
Diabetics with itchy, flaky skin can use almond oil for relief
Used in aromatherapy and for massages as it is a good lubricant and eases stiff joints and muscles
Almond oil is said to contain powerful anti-ageing properties. Most creams and lotions, especially those for people over the age of 30, contain almond oil
If you’ve been getting dark circles, forget buying an overpriced under-eye cream. Using your ring finger, smooth a bit of almond oil under your eyes and massage in gently.
Almond oil soothes rashes and inflammation on the skin
You can also use it for chapped lips, especially during the winter
If you’ve got especially dry skin on which lotions and creams rarely work, almond oil is a great moisturiser. Your skin will absorb it smoothly and there’ll be no oily residue or shine left on your face
Your hands are often the first part of your body to go dry and age easily. Massage sweet almond oil into them every night. This also makes your nails stronger and prevents them from breaking
For cracked heels, smooth almond oil onto them daily till you begin to see a difference

With all these benefits, making almond oil a part of your daily life is a good idea, be it to banish those first lines showing on your face, or to curb hair fall and just generally take a step towards better health. Almond oil is easily available on the market, so keep a bottle handy and watch your skin and hair glow with good health.

Also read – 10 Amazing Health Benefits of Almonds