25 Uses and Benefits of Almond Oil that You Never Realized

Almond oil has a number of uses including helping your skin, moisturizing your hair, and even reducing the risk of cancer!

 

Origin

Almond trees area native to Western Asia and to some parts of North Africa. Throughout the years, people have cultivated almond trees in other areas including the countries bordering the Mediterranean and England.

Almond trees have a wide canopy opening that spreads about 10- 15 across.  The leaves of the tree are long, but not very wide. In bloom, almond trees’ flowers look much like the flowers of the peach tree, but are usually pink or white.

 

How Almond Oil is Made

Almond oil is made through a process called cold pressing, which involves pressing the almonds in a machine to extract the oil.

However, you can also make almond oil at home. The directions below are courtesy of oilypedia.com

1. Take well-dried almonds. Make sure they are not old and of high quality. Put them in a blender and crush. At first start with a low speed, increase it gradually to high.
2. Pause your blender for some time and start again. When your almonds stick together and form a sphere, it is necessary to stop the blender from time to time and clean off almonds.
3. Continue grinding. After some time the sphere will become a paste.
4. Add one more teaspoon of unrefined olive oil. Add more oil if you like.
5. When the paste is ready, put it in any glass jar and keep for 1-2 weeks at a room temperature. You should separate almond oil from an oil cake.
6. You may use your own almond oil for skin and hair care, as an aromatic remedy.

Read more: http://oilypedia.com/the-easy-way-of-how-to-make-almond-oil-at-home/#ixzz3el6Fr4hD

 

Bitter Almonds vs Sweet Almonds

Bitter almonds are not generally used in recipes or to eat. They can actually be rather poisonous to ingest, and eating them could lead to vertigo or even death. Bitter almond oil is also not good for eating, but is usually used in perfumes or in aromatherapy for its scent.

Sweet almonds are the type of almond we are more accustomed to eating. Sweet almond oil is generally used in cooking, to benefit your skin, or help strengthen hair.

 

 

 

 

Uses of Almond Oil

This video lists a few of the benefits of almond oil:

1. Almond Oil Soothes Dark Circles
   • Dark circles around your eyes can be caused by a lack of sleep, a high stress level, aging, overexposure to sun, or it can be hereditary. Almond oil can lighten skin and decrease dullness. It has been called the best natural remedy to remove dark circles. You can apply almond oil by itself and just gently massage the oil in the skin around, or you can mix an equal ratio of almond oil to honey and apply the mixture under your eyes every night before going to bed.
2. Almond Oil Promotes Healthy Skin
   • Almond oil is rich in vitamins and can help to moisturize without clogging up your pores.

Find out more about using almond oil for skin here:

You can use almond oil topically by itself or combine it with other essential oils to do even more. To promote skin health, almond oil can be used as a facial moisturizer, facial scrub or simply as a cleanser. Recipes to make these types of products at home can be found online, or you can look for products that use almond oil as an ingredient.

1. Almond Oil Can Slow Down The Look of Aging
   • The vitamins as well as the omega-3 fatty acids in almond oil can help to slow down the look of aging.
   • CASE STUDY:
     In 2007, the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reported that when mice were exposed to UV radiation — a key cause of skin damage and aging effects such as wrinkles and age spots — for 12 weeks, those treated with a topical application of almond oil fared better than those not treated. The study concludes that the oil is effective “in decelerating the photoaging process.” Likewise, a 2010 report published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice states that “anecdotal evidence and clinical experiences” highlight almond oil’s anti-aging ability, which “smoothes and rejuvenates skin.”
     http://www.livestrong.com/article/187819-how-to-reduce-wrinkles-with-almond-oil/
2. Almond Oil Can Remove Dead Skin Cells
   • Skin can start to look dull because of dead skin cells packing up on skin. By combining a tablespoon of almond oil with a teaspoon of sugar, you can create a scrub to rid your skin of these impurities.
   • 
3. Almond Oil Can Help To Remove Tan
   • Almond oil can also be used a remove a layer of tan. To do this, you can make a paste of almond oil, honey, lime juice and milk powder. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it there for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with water. This will not only remove the layer of tan but also restore moisture to the skin!
4. Reduce Inflammation with Almond Oil
   • Almond oil can be great for people with eczema as it can serve to reduce redness and itching in skin. In order to take advantage of this use, mix 2 tablespoons of almond oil, 5 drops of German chamomile oil, 5 drops of lavender oil, and 3 drop of vitamin E oil. Apply this mixture to the affected area several times a day to ease the symptoms and to get rid of other skin problems.
5.     Make a Soothing Hand or Foot Cream with Almond Oil

• Your hands can get rather worn-out looking after putting in a day of hard work. Almond oil can be used to soothe your hand and to decrease the wear and tear on your hands. Here is a recipe for a hand cream you can make at home courtesy of The Praire Homestead:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup shea butter

1/8 cup sweet almond oil

1 tablespoon beeswax

10 drops myrrh essential oil

10 drops cedarwood essential oil

Instructions:

STEP 1

Melt the shea butter, beeswax, and sweet almond oil together in a double boiler. (I just use a Pyrex measuring cup and place it in a pot of simmering water).

STEP 2

Stir the mixture as it melts.

STEP 3

Once everything is melted, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes.

STEP 4

Stir in the essential oils, and pour the liquid hand cream into a small glass container. Allow it to harden completely (this usually takes several hours).

STEP 5

Apply this homemade hand cream recipe to your dry hands as often as needed–especially after a long day working outside or playing in the dirt.

8. Remove Makeup with Almond Oil
   • Because almond oil doesn’t clog your pores, it works perfectly as a makeup-remover. All you have to do is put a few drops of almond oil on a cotton wipe or pad in order to use it to remove your makeup.

8. Protect Your Lips with Almond Oil
   • Nothing’s worse than dry, cracked lips. Fix that with lip balm made with almond oil.

Watch the video below to find out how to make lip balm with almond oil and other soothing ingredients like beeswax and shea butter:

8. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
   • The sun’s rays can not only damage your skin by drying it out or burning it but can also lead you to getting skin cancer in the future. Storebought sunscreens can be made with unnatural and even toxic ingredients. Instead, you can make a natural sunscreen using almond oil. The recipe below is from Wellness Mama:

Homemade Sunscreen Ingredients:

½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)

¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)

¼ cup beeswax

2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder).

Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil

Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil

Optional: up to 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

Optional: 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)

Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference

How to Make Sunscreen:

STEP 1
Combine ingredients except zinc oxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar. I have a mason jar that I keep just for making lotions and lotion bars, or you can even reuse a glass jar from pickles, olives, or other foods.

STEP 2
Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat.

STEP 3
Put a lid on the jar loosely and place in the pan with the water.

STEP 4
As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stir occasionally to incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, add the zinc oxide, stir in well and pour into whatever jar or tin you will use for storage.

Small mason jars (pint size) are great for this. It will not pump well in a lotion pump!

STEP 5
Stir a few times as it cools to make sure zinc oxide is incorporated.

STEP 6
Use as you would regular sunscreen. Best if used within six months.

11. Get Full Eyelashes Naturally
    • All you need to do to get the naturally full eyelashes you’ve always dreamed of is to dip an old mascara wand into almond oil and then apply it directly to your eyelashes. Make sure you apply it to all of the lashes. This process can be done before going to bed or at any point when you have leisure time.
12. Moisturize Hair with Almond Oil!
    • Almond oil, like other oils including coconut oil or chamomile oil, can be used to moisturize your scalp. Apply almond oil to the scalp and hair once to twice a week and then wrap a towel that has been soaked in hot water around your hair. This will help to absorb the oil and this process can lead to longer and healthier hair!
13. Stop Split Ends with Almond Oil!
    • According to StyleCraze:

A mixture of almond, castor and olive oil in equal proportions massaged into the hair will get rid of split ends. Apply this once or twice a week to notice a change in just a few weeks.

Find out more about preventing split ends in this video:

14. Use Almond Oil as a Natural Leave-In Conditioner!
    • Harsh chemicals and toxins in beauty products can start to break down your hair. LiveStrong gives you directions on how to use almond oil as a leave-in conditioner to counter those effects.

Things You’ll Need

Microfiber towel

Wide-toothed comb

Almond oil

 

Instructions

Step 1

Wash and gently towel-dry the ends of your hair. Use a microfiber towel to squeeze out excess moisture.

Step 2

Comb your hair from root to tip using a wide-toothed comb.

Step 3

Pour a dime-sized-amount of unrefined almond oil onto your fingertips. Rub them against the fingertips of your opposite hand to warm up the oil.

Step 4

Smooth the oil through the ends of your hair, concentrating on the bottom 2 inches.

Step 5

Insert the wide-toothed-comb about 3 inches from the roots and comb your hair to the ends. Repeat until you have combed all sides of your hair to distribute the product, without applying it to the roots.

Step 6

Allow your hair to air dry or heat style it as usual. Avoid putting your hair into an updo until it is completely dry to prevent breakage.

Warnings

Do not confuse sweet almond oil with bitter almond oil. According to Medline Plus, bitter almond oil contains a poisonous substance that can be broken down into toxic hydrocyanic acid, also known as cyanide.

Tips

Apply the treatment once a week for best results.

Avoid applying almond oil to dry hair, as it will not absorb as well and hair will become weighed down.

15. Get Rid of Dandruff with Almond Oil
    • Because almond oil is rich in magnesium and other vitamins and nutrients for your hair, using it on your scalp can help to fight away dandruff!
16. Decrease Scalp Inflammation with Almond Oil
    • Massaging the scalp with almond oil can not only help to promote shinier, healthier and longer hair but you can use also use it to remove dryness or itch. You can do this by massaging a teaspoon-sixed amount of almond oil onto your scalp into your hair. You should leave the oil on your hair for several hours so that your scalp can absorb the nutrients.
17. Cook with Almond Oil!
    • Almond oil can be a great alternative to other cooking oils. Check out this infographic below from SkinnyDiva to find out more about cooking with almond oil and other essential oils.
    • You can also check out our articles on cooking with essential oils here.

15. Prevent Heart Problems with Almond Oil
    • Almond oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids which have been shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
    • CASE STUDY:
      An article published in “The Journal of Nutrition” in April 2002 noted that studies done on MUFAs show that both whole almonds and almond oil effectively reduce harmful low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL, and increase protective high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL, which may reduce cardiovascular risk.
16. Boost Your Immune System with Almond Oil
    • Almond oil has been shown to increase immunity to common infections so by ingesting almond oil you can stay healthy.
17. Almond Oil Can Build Up Strong Bones
    • Almonds are high in calcium which helps to promote strong bones. Almond oil can be used in the same way!
18. Reduce Diabetes with Almond Oil
    • Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have found that almond oil can affect microorganisms in our bellies. It can also affect the insulin and sugar in our bodies which can help to regulate blood sugar levels and therefore to reduce diabetes.
19. Maintain Cholesterol with Almond Oil
    • The high potassium content and low sodium levels can help to maintain cholesterol levels and this can keep you healthier!
20. Almond Oil Can Help Regulate Blood Flow
    • Almond oil is high in Vitamin K which can help to regulate blood flow and is crucial to proper blood clotting.

15. Reduce Risk of Cancer with Almond Oil
    • According to Listovative:

Researchers have found that consuming almonds can help in reducing cancers such as Colon cancer by strengthening the cleansing mechanism in the digestive system. Researchers have found that Almonds are a good source of melatonin which protects breast cancer in various ways.

It is also known that almond oil is a good source which is used in massaging and other purposes by the ill patients undergoing treatment of chemotherapy.

Find out more about how to stay healthy using almond oil with this video!

25. Condition Your Dog’s Coat with Almond Oil
    • Keep your dog’s coat clean and shiny with this dog coat conditioning spray!

Items you will need

Pitcher with lid

Measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Water

Pure almond oil

Spray bottle

Dog shampoo

Towel

Brush

Instructions

Step 1

Measure 4 cups of water, and pour it into a pitcher with a lid. Measure 1 teaspoon of pure almond oil and add it to the pitcher.

Step 2

Place the lid on the pitcher firmly. Hold the top of the pitcher in one hand and the bottom in the other hand. Shake the pitcher back and forth vigorously until the oil blends thoroughly into the mixture.

Step 3

Remove the lid from the pitcher and set it aside. Pour the almond oil conditioner into a spray bottle.

Step 4

Bathe your pet as you normally do, using a shampoo that matches his skin and hair type. Make sure to rinse all of the shampoo out of his hair, then towel-dry him.

Step 5

Spray your pal’s coat with a light mist of the almond conditioner. Hold one hand over his eyes for protection as you spray him. Brush his coat thoroughly to distribute the almond oil throughout his hair, and let him dry naturally.

 

You can buy almond oil at a supermarket or the grocery store, get it at a health foods store, ro get it through essential oils distributors like Mountain Rose Herbs or YoungLiving.

 

Sources:

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-almond-oil-for-skin-hair-and-health/

http://oilhealthbenefits.com/almond-oil/

http://thehealthbits.com/2012/10/07/almond-oil-for-skin-and-hair/

http://www.newhealthguide.org/Almond-Oil-For-Skin.html

http://pets.thenest.com/make-dog-coatconditioning-spray-almond-oil-9132.html

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/how-to-use-almond-oil-to-reduce-dark-circles/

http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/almond-oil-good.php

http://listovative.com/top-12-important-health-benefits-and-uses-of-almond-oil/

http://www.thedermreview.com/almond-oil-for-skin/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/119876-health-benefits-sweet-almond-oil/

http://www.drugs.com/npp/almond-almond-oil.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/72002-almond-oil-good/

http://www.naturalcosmeticsupplies.com/almond-oil-sweet.html

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/05/diy-hand-cream-recipe.html

http://wellnessmama.com/2558/homemade-sunscreen/