Published on: 11/27/2015IST
Wonder Almond Oil For Skin, Hair and Health
Almond oil has been used for decades as a beauty and health aid. In recent years, sweet almond oil is gaining a lot of popularity and being added to soaps, creams and other beauty products because of its purported beauty and health benefits. It’s making a comeback for good reason and here’s how you can use it to improve your skin, hair and health. And, also learn to make your own almond oil at home.
How is almond oil obtained?
Almond oil is acquired from dried almonds through a process called cold pressing. This can be derived from two sources: sweet and bitter almond. Because of its potential toxicity, bitter almond oil is less commonly used.
Several studies on almond oils show the benefits of almond oil on metabolic syndrome. Some researches call it a weapon against obesity and diabetes.
Composition
Almond oil contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium and rich in vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6 in addition to D and E, and therefore great for skin, hair and health. It’s also rich in oleic and linoleic acids.
1 tbsp. of almond oil contains 120 calories and 13.6 gms of fat. It’s also high in unsaturated fats and contains low amounts of saturated fats while being cholesterol free. Almond oil also contains high amounts of monounsaturated fats and some amount of polyunsaturated fats.
Scientific Studies
.Lowers Blood Pressure
According to the studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Laboratory, almond oil contains phytosterols that helps in inhibiting cholesterol absorption and may help lower blood cholesterol levels.
.Effect on Metabolism
Several studies on almond oils show the benefits of almond oil on metabolic syndrome. Some researches call it a weapon against obesity and diabetes. According to the researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology, almond oil’s potential, lies in the ability to affect certain micro-organisms living in our gut.
.Anti-oxidant Effect
A study analysis posted in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, mentions that almonds are an excellent source of bioavailable alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), and the increase in their intake, leads to a higher resistance of LDL against oxidation. In addition to that, they also have polyphenolic constituents that have been recently found to have antioxidant actions.
Health Benefits of Almond Oil
.Rich in omega-6 fatty acids: They are good for the hair, skin and brain. Omega-6 fatty acids also help in reducing hair-loss and strengthens hair from its roots making it look shiny and silky. Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential for maintaining healthy brain tissue and prevents various brain conditions.
.Great for Digestion: Almond oil is great for digestion, and can prove to be an effective laxative.
.Muscular Pain: When applied directly, almond oil provides relief from muscular pain acting as an effective painkiller.
.Boosts Immunity: Ingesting almond oil can boost your disease fighting capability and make your immune system stronger.
Skin Benefits of Almond Oil
Almond oil unlike most oils does not have a greasy effect. It’s also does not clog pores and gets absorbed quickly in the skin.
.Moisturizing: Almonds have a way of trapping moisture in the skin and makes the skin supple and soft.
.Anti-Inflammation: Almond oil has also been proven to have a calming effect on people with skin allergies and inflammation. It has both the ability to soothe and treat skin allergies.
.Heals wounds: Minor wounds, chapped skin, and other skin infections can also be treated using almond oil.
.Emollient properties: It refers to the ability of almond oil to get easily absorbed in the skin. It restores the normal pH of the skin.
.Removes dark spots: Its skin-lightening ability has made it popular among people who want to rid of their dark marks.
.Reduces acne: Almond oil has fatty acids that dissolves the sebum which causes acne. It has also been proven to treat various skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
.Base oil: It is used to prevent moisture from evaporating, thus leaving your skin strengthened and nourished
.Reduces wrinkles: Almond oil contains vitamins that helps it delay the appearance of wrinkles. The monounsaturated fats in the oil keep cell membranes healthy, reducing the appearance of aging.
.Sun protection: Wrinkles, sunburns, aging, and skin cancer caused by UV rays can be reversed by almond oil.
.Treats itchy and dry skin: Vitamin E present in almond oil is a powerful anti-oxidant and an essential fat-soluble vitamin. High levels of vitamin E in almond oil does wonders to the skin as it hydrates and moisturizes the skin
.Aromatherapy: Almond oil can be used as a carrier oil and is used for massages or aromatherapy. It is base oil that dilutes other essential oils in order to minimize the chance of skin irritation and other unwanted side effects. In fact, there are very few oils that can be considered carrier or base oil.
.Reverses aging: Almond oil is excellent to prevent and reverse the signs of ageing. It gives radiant skin by invigorating skin and renewing the skin cells.
.Stretch marks: It tightens the skin and promotes better blood circulation thus reducing stretch marks.
Remedies for Skin Using Almond Oil:
1. Exfoliation: Mix ½ cup of crystal sugar with 1tbsp. of almond oil. Apply the mixture on your face and rub gently until the skin feels smooth, avoiding the delicate area around the eyes. Rinse well with cold water.
2. Reduce tanning: To remove the layer of tan, make a paste of 2 tsp. almond oil, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. Lime juice and 1 tsp. milk. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing with water. This will help get rid of the tan and also restore lost moisture of the skin.
3. Acne: Wash your hands and face. Pour some almond oil on your hands and rub it on your face preferably before going to bed.
4. To get rid of blackheads: Crush 4-5 almonds, a teaspoon of milk, little lemon juice and gram flour. Combine the ingredients and apply on the face for at least 30 minutes before washing it off with water. Alternatively, a scrub can be made using 1 tbsp. of almond oil and 1 tsp. of sugar. Massage this scrub on the face in small circular motions to get rid of dead skin cells and blackheads.
5. Reduce fine lines: Simply heat 2 teaspoons of almond oil and add 2 drops of Vitamin E oil to it. After it comes to a bearable heat, start applying this oil on your face and massage gently with finger tips in circular motion. Continue this process for about 10-15 minutes and wipe off your face with a soft towel or tissue.
6. Face moisturizer: Apply one or two drops of the oil on your skin after a thorough cleansing. Allow the oil to settle for a few minutes then apply makeup once it has dried.
7. Repair cracked skin: Mix 2 tbsp. of almond oil, 5 drops of lavender oil and 3 drops of vitamin E oil. Apply the mixture to the skin several times a day to ease the symptoms and get rid of cracked skin.
8. Eye cream: Apply one or two drops of almond skin oil around your eyes and pat gently using your ring finger.
9. Glowing skin: Mix 1 tablespoon almond oil, 1 tablespoon honey and ½ mashed avocado to form a puree. Apply the mix to the skin on all areas. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
10. Stretch marks: Apply some almond oil on the area of your skin with stretch marks. Massage the skin gently in a circular motion for a few minutes. This is mostly ideal after a bath. For best results, apply twice daily.
11. Base oil: You can use it alone or mix 2-3 drops of essential oil and massage your skin.
12. Make-up remover: Massage it gently to remove eye makeup. It’s effective enough to remove even waterproof make-up.
13. Lip-Balm: You can make a natural lip balm by mixing honey and almond oil.
14. Dark circles: Mix almond oil with honey and apply it on the dark circles.
Almond Oil for Hair-Care
.It is a very light oil and will not weigh down hair.
.It is a rich source of magnesium, a common ingredient in hair products.
.The vitamins in almond oil promotes new hair growth and gives smoother ends, less frizz and more shine to the hair
.Massaging the scalp with almond oil relieves dry and itchy scalp conditions and slows down hair loss by increasing blood circulation.
Hair Remedies Using Almond Oil
1. Shiny Hair: Use about a teaspoon-sized amount of almond oil and rub it into your hair, massaging your scalp in a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Cover your scalp with a plastic wrap and place a towel around the wrap. Allow the oil to absorb for a couple of hours (ideally 8 hours). Shampoo and rinse. Apply once or twice a week.
2. Damaged hair: Combine a few drops of almond oil with a ripe banana and leave the mixture on for 15 minutes. Rinse it out with seltzer water before shampooing and conditioning.
3. Dandruff- free hair: A mixture of mashed gooseberry and almond oil applied on the hair and left for 30 minutes, followed by a hair wash, can clear even persistent dandruff.
For Fuller Eyelashes: Use an old mascara wand to dip in almond oil. Apply the oil on the eyelashes just like applying mascara. Repeat it a few times and ensure that all the eyelashes are covered in oil. You can do this before sleeping or whenever you have some leisure time to get natural fuller eyelashes.
DIY Almond Oil
The conventional extraction method does not require any sophisticated tool. You will need either a blender or a manually-operated oil press.
.If you are using a blender, you will need 2 cups of unroasted almonds and 3 teaspoons of olive oil.
.If you are using a manually-operated oil press, you will need 2 cups of dry-roasted almonds.
.You may need to wash the almonds in order to remove the dirt.
Blending:
.Place the almonds in your blender and blend them at a low speed, gradually increasing to a higher setting.
.When almonds inside the blender start to form a ball-like shape, they will create build-up on sides of the blender.
.Pause blending and clean the build-up and continue blending again.
.You may need to do this often for better extraction results.
.The ball-like shape will gradually become a creamy paste inside the blender.
.Don’t add water, instead add a teaspoon of olive oil to quicken the process, and continue blending.
.Once it’s done, you will have something called ‘nut meat’
.Store it in a clean container at room temperature for approximately 2 weeks. This process will allow the oil to separate from the meat.
.As the oil begins to separate from the nut meat, you can immediately use it for skincare or other purposes.
.The leftover nut meat can also be used for cooking. Mix it with salt and several teaspoons of olive oil to make a spread or add them in your baking recipes.
Manual Press:
.Put the almonds on top of the manual press and start turning the crank.
.If you use an oil press, the roasted almonds will start producing oil. Use a clean cup to store the extracted oil.
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