The Beauty Benefits of Almond Oil
You can find Almond Oil in most supermarkets now and lately I even found a bottle of it in the Pound Shop! But the best one I have found is the Miaroma one from Holland and Barrrett which is half price now at only £2.24 for 100ml! Bargain. That’s why I love this oil so much as it has so many uses and is so cheap so I don’t worry about using big amounts.
Almond oil is a pale, sweet-smelling oil made from sweet almonds. The almonds are pressed so the oil can be extracted. As well as being edible, the oil has many beauty, health and skin care uses. Almond Oil has been used all around the globe, such as Greece, China and it is most popular in India. It originates from the Middle East and southwest Asia from the tree where edible almond seeds grow.
This is how I use the oil and it should be a bathroom staple for you to use when your skin is dehydrated and your hair is really dry. It contains antioxidants believed to be good for the skin, including vitamins E, A and B.
There are two types of Almond Oil on the market. Sweet Almond Oil is the one used for cosmetic or health purposes and the other type is Bitter Almond Oil, which is used in oil form and considered to be toxic so avoid this one.Always check the label that you have Sweet Almond Oil. Obviously if you have a nut allergy then avoid this oil completely. Also you should always consult your doctor about using any type of oils if you have diabetes or are having cholesterol-lowering treatments.
Great on sensitive or baby skin as it is mild and hypoallergenic oil; absorption of Almond Oil is best when the oil is warmed to body temperature.
Here are my top tips for how to use Sweet Almond Oil for beauty purposes:
Carrier Oil You can also combine Almond Oil with other oils for extra benefits. Rose Oil is often used with Almond Oil. Then Almond Oil is used as Carrier Oil, carrying essential oil into the skin and it works brilliantly as it has a very mild smell. It works well in massage and especially facial treatments where the skin is more sensitive. It also relieves muscles by drawing out toxins.
Clear Up Remedy for Acne Skin Almond Oil absorbs into the skin really easily and will help with Acne because of its Vitamin A content. A scrub made with fine sugar mixed with Almond Oil 50/50 would work really well on breakout skin before bed.
Eye Make Up Remover Almond Oil can remove eye make up- pour onto a cotton pad and then leave on for a minute to soak up make-up and then wipe it off.
Anti Ageing Overnight Oil The oil is also anti-ageing as it contains Vitamin E, which is a great antioxidant, which helps repair damage to the collagen layer. Warm up the oil in the palms of your hands and then put a thin layer on clean skin at night-time. In the morning your skin will be a little oily but just wash face as normal and the residue will disappear.
Solution for Dehydrated Skin Tired and dehydrated skin will also benefit greatly from this oil. When I was an Air Hostess and had come off a ten hour flight I would warm up the oil in my palms after a shower and massage in Almond Oil and after a good sleep my skin felt much plumper and hydrated again.
Removes Self-Tan If you have uneven tan that you need to take off in prep for a new application. Then simply get an exfoliating mitt and swirl Almond Oil over the mitt and your body to remove excess tan and hydrate your skin.
Sunburn Facial Treat Almond Oil will instantly hydrate sunburned skin and soothe the redness as it has Vitamin E in it. After a warm bath in the evening, make sure your face is clean of make-up and has been in steam to open up the pores. Then put three drops in your palms and heat up the oil by rubbing together. Smooth over your face and neck, from your nose and forehead downwards and outwards towards your heart, until the oil has sunk in. Keep this on overnight as a rich treatment and in the morning you will notice how silky and hydrated your face looks. I always do this after I have been sitting in the sun all day as it calms redness and puts the moisture back. I have very sensitive skin and I find this soothes my skin and takes any inflammation down.
Skin rashes, Dermatitis/Eczema and Psoriasis Use Almond Oil daily on dry flake skin and it will start to transform into smooth skin as Almond Oil has soothing and healing properties.
Nail Treatment Treat your nails to this oil around the cuticle area as it has Zinc in it which helps cuticle growth and repair. It will condition your nails.
Hair Care Almond Oil is great for treating dry and split ends. With my coloured hair sometimes I will put some just in the ends when my hair is dry and then leave it in for 20 minutes to start working and then shampoo it out. During the 20 minutes my hair will drink it up. It does make your hair curly though if you are partial to a wave in your hair and super glossy which I quite like for a day off. So save this for a monthly treat. I was also recommended by a hairdresser to massage the oil into my scalp for hair growth, after I had some hair extensions removed. My hair did seem to have a growth spurt and my scalp was soothed. Almond Oil is often used for head massages as it contains many beneficial hair nutrients, including protein, essential fatty acids and vitamins.
The Glamourcat 