Sweet almond is often used as a carrier for essential oils.
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. They are too strong to be applied directly to the skin. Also, they evaporate quickly. So much of their therapeutic action gets lost when they are used “neat,” or undiluted.
Carrier oils have a very important function. Sometimes. I think these oily components of aromatherapy are vastly underrated, especially by beginners. Actually, carriers have a critically important function. As their name implies, they help transport the essential oils into the body, so they can work on a cellular level. They work to stabilize the volatile compounds, so they can do their job.
Pure Sweet Almond Oil
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In addition, carriers have a number of benefits themselves. For instance, sweet almond oil is thought to be very good for the skin, as well as the hair. It’s one of the top home remedies often recommended for dark under eye circles.
Benefits of Carrier Oils
Also, carriers protect the skin from strong aromatics. Some of these oils, especially those that are considered “hot,” could potentially burn the skin on their own. It’s also believed that carriers offer protection against becoming sensitized to a particular essential oil.
Carrier oils have the added benefit of allowing you to stretch your more expensive essential oils. Did you know that for an adult, only one drop of essential oil needs to be added to one teaspoon of carrier oil? Professional aromatherapists tell us to almost always dilute our oils, despite what we hear from some people who sell essential oils. Also, essential oils should never be ingested, except under the direction of a professional aromatherapist.
Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil for Hair
In addition, some carrier oils have therapeutic benefits independent of the aromatic oils added to them. Sweet almond oil, as I mentioned earlier, appears to be good for the skin and hair.
It’s often used by condition damaged hair, as it contains many vitamins that can support the scalp. It’s often mixed with specific essential oils, such as rosemary and lavender, which have been shown in one study to facilitate hair growth.
Sweet Almond Carrier Oil
Almond oil is considered useful for helping to reduce some of the visual signs of aging. Although there is no scientific evidence that I’m aware of, it does have a reputation for renewing the skin, something that was noted in a paper published in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice journal.
Again, it may be used alone, or various essential oils may be added. Almond is said to be good for improving the appearance of dark under-eye circles. (Please understand I’m not promising results, but simply sharing information.) This oil is also said to be beneficial for helping to heal stretch marks.
One benefit of almond oil is that it is an excellent moisturizer, yet it doesn’t feel oily on the skin, because it seems to be readily absorbed. This oil is usually considered a good choice for sensitive skin, as well as on dry, cracked areas.
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Sweet Almond Oil Skin Care Recipe
Right now, I use only natural ingredients on my face. This means I make a lot of my own cosmetics. That’s okay, because it’s really easy to do. It’s a tiny bit more work. But the benefits far outweigh this little effort. For one, I’m not putting potentially dangerous chemicals such as parabens on my skin. These are hormone disruptors. Because they mimic estrogen, it’s feared they could be linked to breast cancer.
Also, I’ve noticed that plant-based products make my skin glow. My complexion has improved so much after I ditched the chemicals.
So, if you’re ready, here is a really easy DIY facial moisturizer using sweet almond oil.
3 teaspoons of sweet almond oil
2 drops of lavender essential oil (It’s available here)
1 drop of frankincense essential oil (It’s available here)
Mix these ingredients together and store in a clean glass container. Make sure to keep this away from light and heat.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils. People with nut allergies should avoid almond oil.
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