Bitter Almond Oil is made from the crushed kernels of bitter almonds. It is different from sweet almond oil which is derived from another type of almond plant altogether. Bitter almond oil has a nutty fragrance and is used for its scent, flavour, and its therapeutic value.
These properties extend to its topical application to skin and hair. It contains oleic acid, a type of mono saturated acid, plus omega-9 fatty acid giving it potent moisturizing properties. Since it is easily absorbed, it is able to deliver its high nutritional content deep within layers of the dermis to powerfully heal and nourish skin. It is rich in vitamin E, giving it the ability to fight off free radicals and reverse signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.
It’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can help keep acne causing bacteria at bay while also being useful to treat cuts, scrapes, and wounds. Another popular use of this oil is for its ability to lighten and brighten skin. You can use it to fade dark spots, dark circles under eyes, hyperpigmentation, and otherwise brighten your skin tone. It is used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks as well though then jury is still out on whether it actually helps in this regard.
Bitter almond oil is great for hair as well. It helps in the maintenance of a healthy scalp which in turn strengthens hair follicles. It has a neutral pH and it combats scalp conditions that cause hair loss and weakened hair like dandruff and dryness. It’s antioxidant properties can repair hair damaged by over-styling and exposure to the sun and other environmental stressors. It helps hair regain its resilience, strength, and lustre while stopping hair loss.
Bitter almond oil has many health benefits for the skin, as its use topically on the skin works on:
Maintaining healthy skin, because it contains antioxidants, which protect the skin from ultraviolet rays and avoid skin damage.
Treatment of dark circles, by placing it around the eye with regularity for two weeks, in order to notice the result.
Treatment of darkening of the skin, by mixing it with honey and lemon juice, and placing it on the area affected by the darkening.
Treating psoriasis and eczema, by deeply moisturizing the skin, using bitter almond oil, and bitter almond oil is anti-allergic, and thus reduces skin diseases, and works to relieve symptoms such as itching.
Treating rashes, almond oil is considered a natural and highly effective treatment for rashes, compared to manufactured creams that contain zinc, because bitter almond oil is rich in zinc, and it does not have any bad side effects.
Treating bruises, as bitter almond oil helps in treating bruises that result from bursting blood vessels under the skin.
Benefits of bitter almond oil for the skin
One study showed that women who massaged the skin with bitter almond oil during pregnancy reduce stretch marks, compared to women who used the oils without massage.
It is recommended to use bitter almond oil daily, between two to three weeks, to get noticeable results.
Bitter almond oil cleans the skin and prevents the appearance of acne, as the high permeability of bitter almond oil when applied to the face, and its vitamin A content helps to get rid of dead skin, clean the pores of the face from dirt, oils, and cosmetics residues, and reduce the appearance of acne Young.
The use of bitter almond oil on the eyelashes increases the vitality and luster of the eyelashes, and as a result of the richness of bitter almond oil in vitamins, it works to nourish the eyelashes, thus obtaining strong, healthy, and long eyelashes after a period of regular use.
The vagina becomes dry and unhealthy when estrogen and progesterone are low.
Almond oil extract moisturizes the area, preventing vaginal itching, and almonds are used as an antispasmodic agent.
Almond oil can also be used after dilution, or mixed with other natural materials, in order to treat the darkening of sensitive areas, as it works to unify the color of the skin, and treat many skin problems.
Studies have proven that a 15-minute massage, using bitter almond oil, reduces the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy.
Bitter almond oil can also be used as a skin moisturizer, to reduce skin dryness during pregnancy, and it is also used topically to massage the pubic area and the vagina, to enhance blood flow to the area, increase skin elasticity, and help the skin to stretch.
Since ancient times, bitter-tasting ingredients have always been used as an antifungal.
The reason behind using bitter almond oil may be that all bitter elements contain alkaline compounds, this toxicity and bitterness, effectively prevent the growth of infection from bacteria, protozoa, or viruses in the body and thus reduce fever.
250ml~225g
1L ~900g