Beauty Tips For Body Care
Almond Oil has been used historically in Ancient Chinese and Indian medicines to treat skin conditions. Today it’s a popular moisturizer, desired for its very high vitamin & mineral content, and long-lasting application. I've collected some info on Almond here, in all it's a pretty basic and simple oil.Almond Oil – TL;DRA nut oil extracted from tree kernels Prunus DulcisSignificant amount of Oleic Acids, could cause blockages so make sure to patch testVery high in vitamin E – mild sun protection benefits, good anti-oxidantUse for your skin, hair, as a carrier oil, or as a makeup removerLook for sweet, unrefined, cold-pressed oil if possibleWhat It IsAlmond Oil, also known as Oleum Amygdalae is a nut oil extracted from the seeds of the Almond Tree (Prunus Dulcis). The majority of the world’s supply of almonds comes from the United States, with California alone purported to supply roughly 80% of the globe’s almonds[i].Almond Oil appears as a thick, slightly viscous fluid. The oil contains approximately 65-75% Oleic Acid and roughly 15-25% Linoleic Acid[ii]. The high amount of oleic acid present suggests that the oil could have clogging effects on your skin, especially if you are acne-prone or oily to begin with.Unrefined Almond oil appears with a slight yellow tinge to its color. Sweet almond oil has nutty smell which can be quite strong to some and mild to others. Bitter almond oil has a very strong smell, described as smelling like cherries.Refined almond oil typically appears as colorless and odorless.Almond oil has a relatively stable shelf life, and can be used for a significant length of time, provided it is stored for properly – in a cool, dark, and dry place. Like other oils, it’s recommended to use Almond oil within 6-12 months to get the most out of the nutrients in the oil.BenefitsAlmond oil has not been studied as extensively for skin-care purposes as other oils, but it has been claimed to hold anti-inflammatory properties, cicatrizing (wound healing) capabilities, and even cardiovascular benefits. Below, I cover the most likely benefits of Almond Oil, backed up by science.Nutrients:Almonds are exceptionally high in vitamin E, a noted anti-oxidant[iii] that could help fight against cellular damage. The oil is also high in B-complex vitamins as well as Zinc – important for hair health and thickness[iv].Anti-aging:Almond oil was shown a study to fight against UV-induced aging[v], which could make it a useful oil to apply before headed out into the sun, if lacking sunscreen.Cardioprotective:Almond oil, when consumed, has positive effects on HDL and even helps lower LDL, along with lowering plasma triglyceride levels[vi]Unlike Jojoba or Argan, the science on Almond Oil is lacking quite a bit, which doesn’t seem to faze marketers. I have seen it hyped as a treatment for stretch marks (limited science[vii] on this), and as treatment to fix scars (no science on this!).What to use it forAlmond oil is a pretty flexible moisturizer; you can use it for your face, hair, body, lips, and even your nails. Below are the most typical uses.Skin:Almond oil keeps the skin moisturized and hydrated by acting as an occlusive (prevents water from evaporating off the skin.) It is quite long-lasting; a single application should get you through the bulk of the day. A good, no-frills option for a natural moisturizer.Hair:Almond oil can be used to keep your scalp and locks hydrated, and provides a quick and easy sheen to your hair. The high amount of vitamin E means this tocopherol-rich oil acts a great conditioner as well. Apply it on a standalone basis or you can use shampoos and conditioners which contain the oil.Carrier Oil:Use almond oil to dilute any essential oil you want to use, such as tea tree oil. The blend can then be applied as a moisturizer or cleanser.Makeup Removal:Almond oil is commonly used either on its own to remove makeup, or as part of an oil blend designed to cleanse the face of makeup.What to look forSweet:Probably the most important distinction for almond oil is whether it is sweet or bitter. Sweet almond oil is a long-lasting emollient (moisturizer), is rich in tocopherols and other vitamins, has mild anti-aging effects, and can be used for culinary purposes. Bitter almond oil is an extremely potent essential oil not to be used for direct skin-care, but more so in diluted form to add scent to other cosmetics (e.g. soaps). Be conservative here, if the label doesn’t identify the oil as ‘Sweet’ then move on.Unrefined:As usual, look for an oil that is unrefined. Refined Almond Oil is chemically bleached to remove its natural gold coloring and is de-odorized through an extremely high-heat process. Solvents and chemicals are often added to act as preservatives. Refined oils lose much of what makes Almond Oil so amazing, like its high levels of tocopherols. Unrefined Almond Oil avoids these pitfalls and gives you the most it has to offer. If you do not like the natural smell, go for an oil that is naturally refined (via steam or diatomaceous earth) as opposed to chemically refined.Cold Pressed:This means the oil was extracted from the plant mechanically, and that no extra heat was added to the process to induce extraction. The temperature doesn’t rise higher than 50 degrees, and so more of the oils natural and original properties are retained. Cold-pressed is one of two ways of expeller (mechanically) pressing the oil from the kernels, the other being heat-press. As both are mechanical methods of extracting the oil, you should be ok with either cold or expeller pressed. Ultimately, if you can, go with cold pressed.Note: I would avoid purchasing any almond oil that does not state these features (i.e. whether sweet or bitter, unrefined or refined, and what type of pressing was used).Some Final TipsAlmond oil is a powerful emollient with high levels of Oleic Acid. Make sure to patch test to see if the oil breaks you out or clogs your pores excessivelyStore in a a cool, dark, and dry place[i] http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-california-almonds-20140112-story.html[ii] Here’s a study breaking down the fatty acids in Almond Oil –http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18461963[iii] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17561088[iv] Here’s a study showing how subjects with hair loss had lower serum zinc levels vs. a control group - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24371385[v] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17348990[vi] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11925464[vii] A study showing how Almond Oil somewhat improved stretch marks in pregnant women (note it is bitter almond oil!) -http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22594386
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by bogdans_eyebrow
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