Almond oil is becoming increasingly popular for cosmetic purposes due to its many benefits, but what exactly is it? In this blog, you'll learn everything you need to know about almond oil!
Table of Contents
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What is almond oil?
1. Where does almond oil come from?
2. How is it extracted? -
The benefits of almond oil
1. Benefits for the skin
2. Benefits for the hair
3. Benefits for the face
4.Benefits for nails -
Almond oil in cooking
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Frequently asked questions
1. How often can you use almond oil?
2. What does almond oil smell like?
3. What is the difference between sweet and bitter almonds?
4. Which is better: almond oil or argan oil?
5. Is almond oil good for eczema?
What is Almond Oil?
Almond oil is a versatile product derived from (sweet) almonds, which are used in both food and cosmetics.
Where Does Almond Oil Come From?
There are sweet and bitter almonds. Almond oil is extracted from sweet almonds. Sweet almonds can be eaten directly and are found in products such as almond paste and marzipan. They are also processed into plant-based almond milk.
Bitter almonds are less popular because they are toxic when consumed in large quantities. They contain a substance called ‘cyanogenic glycosides,’ which your body converts into cyanide. An extract from bitter almonds is used in cooking and gives the typical flavor to items such as amaretti biscuits. In these small quantities, it is safe to consume.
Almond trees originally come from the Middle East and South Asia. The largest production of almonds today comes from California, but Spain, Italy, and Australia are also large producers. Farmers in California have the highest yield per hectare. However, they are often less focused on the consequences of cultivation, leading to soil depletion.
Spanish farmers are known for their sustainable production methods, which is an important consideration when choosing high-quality oil. Therefore, at ZenGrowth, we prefer specialized farmers from Spain. Our sweet almond oil is therefore also produced in Spain.
How Is It Extracted?
You may have wondered what the difference is between refined and cold-pressed oils? Almond oil can be extracted in two ways, leading to a distinction between refined oils and cold-pressed oils.
Refined oil is extracted using high heat and solvents to remove impurities. This method helps the oil stay fresh longer and makes it odorless.
Oil can also be cold-pressed. As the name suggests, the nuts are pressed at low temperatures. This method helps preserve natural nutrients and aromas better. Cold-pressed oil is not odorless and has a shorter shelf life than refined oils.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about cold-pressed almond oil. Several sellers market their refined almond oil as cold-pressed. Cold-pressed almond oil is much thicker than refined almond oil, has a slight amaretto smell, and cannot be odorless.
The Benefits of Almond Oil
Almond oil can be used in a versatile way on the skin, hair, face, and nails, each with its own set of benefits.
The Benefits for the Skin
Almond oil absorbs quickly into the skin and contains high amounts of vitamin A and E, which help combat skin aging. With regular use, the oil makes the skin soft and smooth.
Almond oil can be applied to the skin as an alternative to body lotion. Apply the oil to your body after showering so that your skin will feel soft and hydrated again.
The oil stimulates circulation, and massaging it in will enhance this effect even more. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin and especially effective for dry skin types due to its thicker texture.
The Benefits for the Hair
Almond oil is also incredibly suitable for your hair! Regular use can improve the health and appearance of your hair.
It effectively helps with dandruff and hydrates the scalp, contributing to hair growth! Additionally, the oil makes it easier to brush your hair and reduces tangles and dullness.
If you're dealing with split ends, this oil is ideal. Apply some oil to the ends of your hair and leave it overnight. This will nourish the hair ends and make them look less dry.
Almond oil is also perfect as a hair mask; apply it to your hair before showering, leave it on for 10-20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with shampoo. This provides intensive care, deeply nourishing your hair, resulting in a shiny, softappearance.
The Benefits for the Face
As mentioned earlier, almond oil contains a lot of vitamin A and E, which combat skin aging. Additionally, it is rich in unsaturated fats, which help keep the fat content on your skin in balance.
A nourished and younger-looking skin. Massage it gently into your skin for extra care or use it as a day cream! If your skin is naturally very oily, you can also mix a few drops of almond oil with your day cream, so you get the benefits without making your skin feel even oilier.
Also, dark circles are a thing of the past with almond oil. Apply a few drops daily to dark circles under your eyes, and you’ll see that these circles will become less visible over time.
The Benefits for Nails
Almond oil can strengthen your cuticles and improve nail growth when applied to your cuticles. It is, therefore, a great and 100% natural alternative to cuticle oil – a perfect addition to your manicure!
All you need to do is apply the oil to your cuticles and let it absorb. You can apply almond oil without any issues daily or even multiple times a day on your cuticles.
Dealing with dry hands? Almond oil can provide soft and hydrated hands. Apply some oil, let it absorb, and for the best results, you can also apply hand cream on top.
Almond oil in cooking
Almond oil is very versatile! There are different types of almond oil, each used for various purposes. These are often extra processed/refined to remove impurities from the oil. The oil has a smoke point of around 215°C, making it suitable for baking and cooking.
It is also suitable for cold applications, such as in a salad as a dressing or to enhance the flavor of dishes like creamy soups, vegetables, and fish. Due to its soft and sweet nutty flavor, it is even great for enriching the taste of desserts and baked goods!
The almond oil from ZenGrowth is intended for cosmetic purposes and is not suitable for consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions about almond oil answered!
How often can you use almond oil?
This depends on your skin and hair type. Is your face and skin very dry? In that case, you can use almond oil daily, even up to 2 times a day. If your skin is naturally a bit oilier, we recommend limiting it to 2 to 4 times a week. Another option is to mix a few drops into your daily cream, so you still get the benefits without making your skin too oily.
The same applies for use on hair. Do you have dry (and curly) hair? In that case, you can apply this oil a few times a week to your hair. This oil is also perfect for use as a hair mask. Apply the oil before bed and wash it out with shampoo in the morning. It's also possible to apply it half an hour before washing your hair, but with this hair type, the hydration will be more intense when it has had more time to penetrate into the drier hair.
If you have finer hair or hair that naturally becomes oily quickly, we recommend not using it too often. 1 to 2 times a week on the ends is enough to protect them without becoming too greasy. For this hair type, the oil can also be used as a hair mask. Apply it 10 to 30 minutes before washing your hair and make sure to wash it out well with shampoo.
How does almond oil smell?
Almond oil can have a light, sweet scent, similar to amaretto, when it is cold-pressed.
The majority of almond oils are almost odorless due to the refining process. This allows the oil to maintain its hydrating properties without an overpowering scent.
What is the difference between sweet and bitter almonds
There are two types of almonds: sweet and bitter. Bitter almonds contain the toxic amygdalin (in a small amount of 2-3%), while sweet almonds have almost none. This substance is converted into cyanide by your body.
Sweet almonds can be eaten directly and are widely used in food products (think of marzipan, nougat, and almond paste).
They can also be processed into almond oil or almond milk.
Bitter almonds are becoming less commonly cultivated and were once used to enhance flavor in products such as almond paste. Nowadays, apricot kernels are used more frequently for this purpose due to their lower cost.
What is better: almond oil or argan oil?
It depends! Every body is different. Almond oil is thicker, making it more suitable for dry skin and dry hair that needs deeper nourishment. Argan oil has a thinner texture, making it more appropriate for oily skin and less dry hair that doesn't require as intensive nutrition.
Is almond oil good for eczema?
Unlike body lotions or other synthetic products, almond oil is a natural product that does not clog pores.
You can use almond oil to relieve the symptoms of eczema. It helps calm inflammation and hydrate the dry skin that is often caused by eczema.
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