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What Are the Benefits of Almond Oil for the Face?

O. Parker
O. Parker

Almond oil is a gentle emollient oil pressed from sweet almonds. This smooth oil absorbs quickly into the skin and feels smooth to the touch. Facial skin is delicate, and it spends the most time exposed to the sun and the elements. Almond oil for the face is a gentle moisturizing oil that nourishes the delicate facial skin to keep it healthy, supple and elastic.

A good moisturizing oil keeps skin looking youthful and healthy. The skin produces natural oils that keep it healthy, but with age, production of these oils slows. Without enough oils, fine lines start to appear. Almond oil penetrates the skin, plumping up the cells and leading to a natural minimization of fine lines.

Almonds.
Almonds.

Bathing with harsh products as well as exposure to wind and cold can also sap the delicate facial skin of moisture. Almond oil for the face is a light nourishing oil that can be used after cleansing or after a day in the elements. An emollient is a product or oil that softens the skin and soothes rough, dry areas and irritated spots. As a natural emollient oil, almond oil can be used to keep healthy skin glowing and to repair and rehydrate dry, damaged and irritated skin.

A moisturizer containing almond oil.
A moisturizer containing almond oil.

As a mild, lightly scented oil, almond oil is commonly used as a base oil in quality natural products. Facial oils, facial cleansing balms and facial creams can be made with almond oil as a base. It is also used as a base for facial and body massage oils and aromatherapy.

One of the reasons almond oil for the face is so nourishing is the high percentage of an essential fatty acid called omega 9 or oleic acid. Oleic acid makes up 70 percent or more of almond oil. This is one of the primary molecules that gives almond oil its deeply penetrating, softening and moisturizing qualities.

Almond oil is gentle enough to use on delicate facial skin.
Almond oil is gentle enough to use on delicate facial skin.

Almond oil for the face and body comes from the same almonds commonly used as food. Its close, but poisonous, relative the bitter almond is not well-suited as a skin oil. Bitter almond oil contains high amounts of cyanide and other poisons. Its even too toxic to use topically. Bitter almond essential oil can be used to flavor food or add fragrance to facial care products, but only food-grade oil that has had the poison compounds removed should be used.

Discussion Comments

Ocelot60

@rundocuri- I use almond oil on my skin, and I don't think that is is very oily. If you apply it correctly, you will cut down on the greasy feel.

First of all, make sure that you don't put too much almond oil on your face. Too much of any facial product can result in oily skin.

The best way to apply it is to rub about a dime-sized amount in the palm of your hand and smooth on a thin amount all over your face.

Once you put the almond oil on your skin, blotting it will reduce any oily sensation that it may cause. Simply press a soft tissue or cotton ball all over your face to remove any excess oil so you can enjoy the moisturizing effect.

Rundocuri

I have heard that almond oil is great for the skin, but the thought of using oil on my face is not very appealing to me. Does anyone have experience using almond oil as a moisturizer, and if so, does it leave the skin feeling very greasy?

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    • Almonds.
      By: Dmitry Rukhlenko
      Almonds.
    • A moisturizer containing almond oil.
      By: picsfive
      A moisturizer containing almond oil.
    • Almond oil is gentle enough to use on delicate facial skin.
      By: Artem Furman
      Almond oil is gentle enough to use on delicate facial skin.