Almond oil has been used for centuries for skin and hair health. ChitoCare beauty has incorporated it into its skin care line for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Read on to discover how sweet almond goodness can keep your skin soft and healthy.

Almonds have long been on the superfood list and are renowned for their nutritional properties. As almonds are full of vitamins, minerals, zinc, potassium and healthy fatty acids, they can be found in everything from chocolate, cereal and power bars to smoothies, energy shakes and liqueurs – they have even been turned into butter and milk. 

Sweet almond oil vs bitter almond oil

Often called “the king of nuts”, the almond is in fact a type of fruit and belongs in the same category as plums and cherries. More specifically, these are called drupes – fleshy fruits with a central stone containing a seed. Two types of oil can be extracted from almonds. Almond oil, also called sweet almond oil, is a fixed oil and will not evaporate. Bitter almond oil is an essential oil, will evaporate and can even be toxic when ingested. Sweet almond oil is what has been used for thousands of years to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

Sweet almond oil skin benefits

Let’s take a closer look at how sweet almond oil can benefit your skin.

Highly moisturizing

Sweet almond oil is deeply hydrating thanks to its fatty acid content. It sits low on the comedogenic scale, making it a non-greasy oil that is absorbed quickly by the skin without clogging pores. Even oily skin needs moisture and sweet almond oil can work to cleanse pores while delivering crucial oils that prevent dryness. Moisturized skin is better protected from environmental stressors, such as UV radiation, air pollution, toxins, blue light and smoking, that cause cancer, premature aging, skin diseases and wrinkles.

Antioxidant and anti-aging action

Antioxidants are what protect our cells from free radical damage. Sweet almond oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, manganese and antioxidants such as Vitamin E, that help reduce the damage and photoaging caused by free radicals through UV radiation. As we know, UV radiation is the main cause of premature aging, so wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher along with a moisturizing cream containing Vitamin E is crucial. High in silica and Vitamin A, known as retinol, sweet almond oil will also stimulate new skin cell growth, in turn reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and providing powerful anti-aging action.

Soothing and anti-inflammatory

High in Vitamin E, zinc and other minerals, sweet almond oil also has the capacity to promote collagen production, making your skin plumper and firmer. It rejuvenates scar tissue, improving the appearance of scars and stretchmarks, while its combination of powerful antioxidants soothe skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. It also helps to regulate skin tone, improving your skin's overall complexion and texture. Sweet almond oil is suitable for sensitive skin and can ease painful irritation and inflammation, reducing puffiness and soreness.

Improves skin barrier function

Thanks to its fatty acid content, sweet almond oil works as an emollient, creating a protective film over the skin’s outer layers to seal in moisture. As emollients soothe and repair the skin barrier, they prevent transepidermal water loss. This is when water passively evaporates through skin, leaving it dry, cracked or easily inflamed. Hydrating emollients such as sweet almond oil can lock in moisture and ease that feeling of tightness and roughness.

Adding sweet almond oil to your skin care routine is an easy step towards achieving a healthier, more youthful complexion in a natural way. Ignite the luminosity within your skin with ChitoCare beauty Hand Cream, containing marine chitosan, moisturizing sweet almond oil, soothing aloe vera, nourishing macadamia oil and anti-aging Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract. Offer your skin deep moisture for softer, smoother hands.