Last Updated on December 16, 2022 by Gaga
Chemical-based hair care products can bring you short-term benefits but may harm your hair in the long run. If you are concerned about chemicals in your hair products, consider incorporating natural oils into your hair care regimen. This way, you can reduce exposure to chemicals while enjoying the amazing benefits of natural hair oils.
Sweet almond oil is a versatile oil that can substitute several of your store-bought products such as hair lotion, shine enhancer, and leave-in conditioner. This light-feeling oil is completely safe to use, except for people with a nut allergy.
Types of Almond Oil
Almond oil is extracted from the seed of the almond fruit. Two main types of almonds come from different trees – bitter almonds and sweet almonds.
- Bitter almond oil is poisonous in its pure form. Thanks to the delightful almond scent, bitter almond seeds are used for producing essential oil. Bitter almond essential oil is used to add scent to cosmetics products that add scent to cosmetic products. This type of almond oil should be used only by professional therapists.
- Sweet almond oil is extracted from pressed sweet almond seeds. The sweet almond tree (Prunus dulcis) produces edible almonds that can be used for culinary purposes and also for cosmetic applications. Sweet almond oil has a pale yellow color and a mild nutty scent. It is rich in vitamins A, B, and E, antioxidants, fatty acids, and minerals. Those bioactive compounds make sweet almond oil one of the key ingredients in cosmetic products for skin, hair, and nails.
Brands that are supposed to be used for hair: Sweet Almond Oil for Skin by Viva Naturals (natural and unscented), Organic Sweet Almond Oil For Hair Growth by Hair Thickness Maximizer (100% Pure Organic), Pure Sweet Almond Hair Oil by Hollywood Beauty (certified organic), All Natural Sweet Almond Oil by Nature’s Oil (100% pure, works well as a carrier oil), and Sweet Almond Oil by QUANE COSMETICS (organic, cold-pressed).
Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil for Hair
Almond oil gets absorbed quickly, without leaving your hair sticky or overly oily. This lightweight oil can greatly improve the look and overall health of your hair.
- Moisturizing and conditioning effects: Due to its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, sweet almond oil is used to seal in moisture and restore softness and natural luster to dry hair. The high content of fatty acids prevents hair from drying out and keeps it strong, pliable, and easy to manage. To keep your hair hydrated, apply oil to your damp hair and scalp 30 minutes before washing. Comb your hair gently to spread the oil evenly from the roots to the ends of your hair. Wrap your hair with a plastic shower cap and a hot towel to trap the heat inside or use a heated gel cap to increase the treatment effectiveness. For best results, do this treatment once or twice a week.
- Leave in conditioner: To seal in moisture inside the hair, put a few drops of sweet almond oil on your palms and rub them together to warm the oil. Run your fingers through the hair to spread the oil from the roots to the tips, focusing on the ends.
- Shine enhancer: Sweet almond oil can bring life back to hair that is damaged by bleaching or heat styling. This oil adds a nice sheen to dull hair and makes it manageable and tangle-free. To add a healthy shine to your hair, apply a pea-sized amount of oil to damp hair. You can also add a few drops of the oil to your regular conditioner.
- Curl enhancer: To make your naturally curly hair softer and more manageable, rub a few drops of almond oil on your palms and run your hands through the hair. This will make your curls smooth and well-defined.
- Smoother, silkier hair: For adding softness to hair, put a few drops of oil and gently massage the scalp, then work it through your hair. Allow the oil to absorb into your scalp and hair for 30 minutes before shampooing or leave it on as long as you like.
- Split ends tamer: High levels of protein in almond oil help make hair stronger and prevent the strands from splitting. Using almond oil as a deep conditioning treatment before shampooing helps minimize the drying effects of hair shampoos and reduces the appearance of split ends.
- Sun protector: Omega-3 fatty acids in almond oil help reflect harmful UV rays, protecting your hair and scalp from sun damage while improving hair elasticity and strength.
- Hot oil treatments: Mix sweet almond oil with other hair oils and use to apply hot oil treatments. This oil can penetrate the hair shaft and is popular among people with low-porosity hair.
Almond Oil for a Healthy Scalp
Almond oil can improve the overall health of your scalp and prevent some scalp conditions.
Relieves itchy scalp: A scalp massage with almond oil helps calm the dry/itchy scalp. A hair mask containing almond oil helps moisturize your scalp and hair to prevent dryness during the cold winter months.
Dandruff control: The antibacterial and antifungal properties of sweet almond oil help soothe scalp inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of dandruff. The potent penetrating property of almond oil help to soften and remove dead skin cells from the scalp.
To fight dandruff, massage almond oil into your scalp. Let it sit for an hour before a bath or leave it overnight for maximum results. For best results, mix almond oil with tea tree, coconut, rosemary, and lavender oils.
Relief for eczema and psoriasis: Because of its moisturizing and mild antimicrobial properties, sweet almond oil is often used to soothe the dry and irritated scalp and alleviate the discomfort of eczema and psoriasis.
Is Almond Oil Good for Hair Growth?
Almond oil is rich in healthy hair-growing ingredients such as proteins, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium. It helps prevent thinning hair, strengthens hair fibers, and boosts hair elasticity.
Almond oil soaks into the scalp easily, without clogging pores, and keeps your scalp hydrated and clean. It efficiently dissolves dirt, oil, pollutants, and dead skin cells to unblock clogged hair follicles, allowing them to grow healthy hair.
To cleanse and nourish your scalp, apply almond oil a few hours before showering. Massage gently into the scalp in circular motions using your fingertips. Leave the oil overnight for the best results. Repeat twice a week.
Sweet almond oil is easy to combine with essential oils, such as rosemary, or lavender oil, for improved effectiveness in promoting hair growth.
How to Choose and Store Sweet Almond Oil for Hair
Cold-pressed almond oil is made by mechanical procedures of pressing ripe seeds, without using heat or chemical solvents. The cold pressing method allows for better preservation of potent natural ingredients. Cold-pressed sweet almond oil is slightly darker and is more expensive than refined almond oil.
It’s important to read the label to ensure you are buying 100 percent pure, unscented, food-grade, sweet almond oil with no additives. Make sure the bottle says “sweet” almond oil. If the price is too low, check the list of ingredients to ensure you are buying a genuine product.
For people with sensitive skin, certified organic almond oil is a great alternative to chemical-laden skin care products.
Check the expiration date to ensure you are purchasing a fresh product. Properly stored almond oil will stay fresh and potent for up to a year. Make sure it is packaged in a tightly sealed dark glass bottle to prevent oxidation and preserve freshness. Keep it in a cool, dry place (it doesn’t need to be refrigerated) away from the light.
Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.
Almonds have a lot of benefits when taken orally but it’s oil too has many benefits. Hair glow and growth depends on nourishment and care, almond oil gives good nourishment which keeps hair healthy.