Sweet almond oil benefits are diverse as they can be great for dietary purposes or external treatments on skin & hair.

In this article, we gathered all the information you need to know the main benefits of sweet almond oil based on scientific researches.

In the second part we offer some application advises based on different health issues that you can address by using almond oil.

However, remember sweet almond oil is not the same as bitter almond oil, let’s start by clarifying this…

Difference between bitter almond oil and sweet almond oil:

Sweet almond oil is completely different compared to bitter almond oil and can be used for external purposes as well as edible purposes.

Different processing methods:

Extracting sweet almond oil from long almonds usually includes thermal pressure.

As for bitter almond oil, it is a more classic method that only includes milling and distillation to obtain darker oil that tastes bitter.

Different extraction methods:

Sweet almond oil is extracted from almonds that grow on white-flowered trees, which contain small quantities of oil and have a slight smell and a yellow color. (1)

The almonds of these types of trees grow longer than the almonds we consume as a snack.

Essentially, sweet almond oil is very beneficial for the skin and hair as it contains nutritious elements such as B vitamins and vitamin E.

On the other hand, bitter almond oil is extracted from pink flowered trees where the almonds are more round and shorter in length.

Bitter almond oil can also be a product of peach kernels as well as apricots and cherries…

Different usage:

Bitter almond oil is an essential oil and that means it has a high concentration and a strong aroma. (2)

Because of that, we usually have to dilute bitter almond oil with other oils and we may use sweet almond oil to do so.

Due to the high concentration, bitter almond oil is mostly good for its anti-inflammatory properties for external treatments of fungus and other skin issues such as eczema.

On the other hand, sweet almond oil has many skin and hair benefits as well as other dietary benefits that we will explain in the next part.

Sweet almond oil benefits:

Sweet almond oil is one of the most famous and used essential oils.

The most common benefits of sweet almond oil are skin benefits and dealing with hair problems.

But unlike bitter almond oil which may contain toxic components not suitable for eating, sweet almond oil is completely safe to eat and has major health benefits including better heart functioning, better immunity system, smoother digestion…etc

Sweet almond oil benefits from dietary usage:

Improve heart health:

This oil contains high concentrations of MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) which are proven to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Studies were conducted on a group of people drinking 2tbsp of sweet almond oil regularly for 5 weeks.

The results showed that this helped reduce LDL cholesterol and this is very beneficial for people who have high cholesterol levels. (3)

Although, consuming sweet almond oil didn’t increase the good cholesterol HDL levels.

Also in 2002, an article published by The Journal of Nutrition showed how the MUFAs found in almonds and sweet almond oil reduce bad cholesterol (LDL). (4)

This will eventually contribute to promoting better cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of strokes.

Improves digestion:

Thanks to those MUFAs found in sweet almond oil, it is sometimes used as a natural laxative as it helps soften feces and treats constipation. (5)

It also stimulates intestinal transit which is proven to smooth the digestion process.

If you have constipation problems or your stomach is having trouble digesting, try swallowing 2tsp of sweet almond oil a day.

Do this for two or three days and you will notice improvements in your digestion.

If consuming sweet almond oil doesn’t seem appetizing, try adding it to your salad or dish to obtain the same benefits.

Calms cough and relieves bronchitis:

Sweet almond oil allows a better evacuation of bronchial mucus and this makes it really helpful in cases of constant coughs.

If you are dealing with bad coughs you can swallow one teaspoon of sweet almond oil per day for a few days and this will help to clean your throat from mucus.

In case of bronchitis, it is recommended to mix a tsp of sweet almond oil with two drops of lavender essential oil, then use the mixture to massage the chest and the back with it.

This can cause an opening of the chest which gives the lungs more space to function properly.

It will also slow the breathing rate and loosen mucus in the lungs, therefore such massage increases airway clearance. (6)

Skin benefits of sweet almond oil:

Moisturize and nourish delicate skins:

Rich in iron, Zinc, Copper, and fatty acids this oil is ideal for nourishing the skin in depth. (7)

The thing that makes it perfect for delicate skin is that it has no chemical additives.

Perfect to massage your baby’s skin:

One of the most lovely bonds a mother can build with her baby is through massages to help him relax and get used to his/her mother’s care.

Sweet almond oil scent is very pleasant for the baby and very nutritious to the baby’s gentle delicate skin. (8)

After bathing, try gently massaging your baby’s tummy using sweet almond oil.

This will relieve colic (baby cries for hours without obvious reasons) and eliminate any belly pain he/she could be having.

Heal and Soothe:

It has been noticed that sweet almond oil can effectively relieve itching and eczema inflammation.

Studies on a hand cream with 7% of sweet almond oil  shows that when it’s applied directly on the inflamed skin, it can calm down rashes and help to feel relieved. (9)

Good for dry skin:

As a good source of omega 3, 6, and 9, sweet almond oil is recommended for dry skin.

Applying this oil daily on your skin will help it regain its elasticity and prevent it from drying.

Try using it on your skin after showering, you’ll notice major health differences and your skin will be thanking you for it.

Eliminate wrinkles:

Sweet almond oil is full of vitamins A and E which gives it antioxidant properties.

Therefore, applying it to your face will make the signs of aging disappear and noticeably reduce wrinkles. (10)

Fight stretch marks:

When the skin is too distended it cracks and visible scars can be seen on the skin.

This could be due to a pregnancy or a rapid increase in weight.

Either way, using sweet almond oil on the stretch marks will infiltrate the lower levels of the epidermis and give it more elasticity and heal it.

This will make your skin less vulnerable to cracking and therefore reduce the risk of getting stretch marks.

It is recommended to use this oil on the belly during pregnancy to avoid developing stretch marks.

Hair benefits of sweet almond oil:

Make it shine again:

Dry and damaged hair loses its shine and makes it very difficult to style.

Sweet almond oil is perfect to nourish your hair and give it back its strength and promote its healthy growth. (11)

It can be used as a hair mask or when styling it as this oil will tame frizz and that will make it easier to style your hair.

A good remedy against itching scalp:

Polluted air, stress, and the use of chemicals can cause irritation and itching of the scalp.

If you are dealing with these problems, try sweet almond oil scalp massage and you’ll feel immediate relief.

A natural mask for your hair:

Sweet almond oil can also be used as a hair mask.

Apply it to your hair and leave it overnight before rinsing.

Here’s how to apply it:

• First, mix sweet almond oil with 2 tsp of honey and apply it to your hair with equal proportions.
• Then, cover your hair using a towel and leave it overnight.
• Rinse it with your shampoo the next day.
• Doing this oil bath once or twice a month will regulate sebum (the waxy substance produced by our skin) without drying your hair.

Different uses of sweet almond oil benefits:

Sweet almond oil benefits for scars and cracks:

Sweet almond is very rich in vitamin E accelerate skin regeneration by protecting it from UV radiation and nourishing it.

Therefore, it will make it possible to reinforce damaged skin to eliminate cracks and scars.

Also, sweet almond oil has softening properties that accelerate the process of eliminating stretch marks and scars.

Application advice:

Use a few drops of sweet almond oil and massage the part that has a scar or a crack every morning and evening.

Other beneficial remedies for scars:

For scars and cracks, we can also massage the damaged skin with Macadamia or Rosehips oil. (12)

Sweet almond benefits for dermatitis:

This oil also offers a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin E, and Zinc which all have great benefits in boosting skin regeneration.

These nutrients in sweet almond oil hydrate the skin and encourage its healing mostly against skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

Application advice:

Massage the part of the skin that is inflamed with a few drops of sweet almond oil at least one time per day.

Other beneficial remedies for dermatitis:

You can also use Evening primrose or wheat germ oils for skin massaging or ingesting as they both have good benefits for dermatitis. (13)

Sweet almond oil benefits for dry and damaged hair:

This oil offers a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin E, and Phospholipids (PL).

Unfortunately, more studies are needed to show the curative and preventive properties of sweet almond oil for the scalp and hair.

However, according to its composition sweet almond oil can nourish, strengthen and hydrate the scalp and hair to treat dryness.

In fact, using it on the hair improves its texture by making it more brilliant and silky.

Application advice:

You can apply sweet almond oil directly on the hair by using a few drops to massage both the scalp and across the length of the hair.

You can leave it on overnight and wash it in the morning or you can leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse it with shampoo as a temporary hair mask.

Other beneficial remedies for dry and damaged hair:

Coconut oil, castor oil, and Shea butter are also beneficial for damaged hair thanks to their nutritious composition. (14)

Sweet almond oil benefits for constipation:

By ingesting a small amount of sweet almond oil we can address digestive disorders including constipation and stomach acidity.

That is because this oil has great laxative properties that may treat several digestive issues.

Application advice:

Drink 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil in the morning daily until constipation disappears.

Other remedies for constipation:

Castor oil also has great laxative properties and is known to treat gastric problems including constipation.

Sweet almond oil benefits for skin aging:

Skin aging is mostly due to the effect of free radicals which damages skin cells.

It is collagen the number one responsible element for skin elasticity that may be affected by free radicals which leads to wrinkles.

This is where sweet almond oil comes in handy as it is a good source of fatty acids which are needed to regenerate and produce collagen.

In addition, the vitamin E in this oil has excellent antioxidant properties and which makes it very beneficial as an anti-aging remedy.

Application advice:

Massage your skin with a few drops of sweet almond oil daily in the mornings and evenings and focus on the face and where wrinkles appear.

Other remedies for skin aging:

Rosehip oil as well as apricot, grapeseed kernel oils are also great remedies for skin aging. (15)

Sweet almond oil benefits for cradle cap and diaper rash:

Thanks to its softness and gentleness on the skin, sweet almond oil is a good remedy to use on babies’ fragile skin.

Application advice:

For diaper rash:

Use a few drops of sweet almond oil and massage the baby’s bottom and lightly massage the irritation parts.

For cradle cap:

Massage the parts that are affected with the cradle cap very gently with sweet almond oil.

For better results, it is best to massage the affected skin a few hours before bathing in order to allow the oil to be absorbed by the skin.

Other remedies for cradle cap and diaper rash:

Lavender oil, as well as shea butter, are both effective to massage the baby’s bottom or cradle cap areas as they moisturize and protect the skin from inflammation. (16)

 

Conclusion:

Consuming sweet almond oil has many benefits as it:

• Improves heart health.
• Good for digestion.
• Calms cough and relieves bronchitis.

Applying sweet almond oil on your skin will:

• Nourishes it.
• Heals and soothes it.
• Eliminates wrinkles.
• Fights stretch marks.

Applying sweet almond oil on your hair will:

• Makes it shine again.
• Relieves itching scalp.
• Nourishes it (if used as a hair mask along with honey and kept overnight).

 

 

References:

(1): Sweet Almond Oil – Perfect Beauty Oil For Face, Skin, Hair, and Nails (newdirectionsaromatics.com)
(2): What Is Bitter Almond Oil? (with pictures) (wise-geek.com)
(3): The uses and properties of almond oil – PubMed (nih.gov)
(4): Almonds and Almond Oil Have Similar Effects on Plasma Lipids and LDL Oxidation in Healthy Men and Women | The Journal of Nutrition | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
(5): Almond Oil for Constipation – Digestive Relief Blend (biosourcenaturals.com)
(6): Lavender essential oil inhalation suppresses allergic airway inflammation and mucous cell hyperplasia in a murine model of asthma – PubMed (nih.gov)
(7): The Many (So Many!) Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil for Your Skin | Buckler’s (bucklersremedy.com)
(8): The Effect of Sunflower Seed and Almond Oil on Preterm Infan… : Advances in Skin & Wound Care (lww.com)
(9): The Use of an Over-the-Counter Hand Cream With Sweet Almond Oil for the Treatment of Hand Dermatitis – PubMed (nih.gov)

(10): The amazing beauty benefits of almond oil (avogel.ca)
(11): In vivo hair growth activity of Prunus dulcis seeds in rats (walshmedicalmedia.com)
(12): Macadamia oil: 3 uses and possible health benefits (medicalnewstoday.com)
(13): Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial – PubMed (nih.gov)
(14): Using Castor Oil for Hair Growth (verywellhealth.com)
(15): Experts Explain the Incredible Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Skin (byrdie.com)
(16): Lavender: Its Many Safe Uses for Babies and Kids You Want to Know (sonomalavender.com)