What is almond oil in skincare?
Sweet almond oil is cold-pressed from the kernels of Prunus dulcis. It is a light, pale oil made up largely of oleic and linoleic acid, with a useful concentration of vitamin E and phytosterols.
It absorbs more readily than heavier oils such as olive or castor, which is why it has long been used as a massage and body oil as well as a facial emollient.
What skin concerns does almond oil treat?
It softens dry, rough and flaky skin, and its linoleic acid and vitamin E content support the barrier and calm mild irritation – useful for eczema-prone skin and for chapped areas. Topical plant oils of this profile have documented anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair effects.
It is commonly used on stretch marks, under-eye dryness and cuticles. Anyone with a tree nut allergy should avoid it entirely, and everyone else should patch test, particularly if they have eczema.
What ingredients are best paired with almond oil?
Apply it over hyaluronic acid or glycerin on damp skin so it seals hydration in, and alongside ceramides for proper barrier repair.
It works well as a carrier for essential oils and as a gentle cleansing oil. It is mildly comedogenic, so very oily or acne-prone facial skin may do better with jojoba, squalane or grapeseed. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is dry skin?
Dry skin – xerosis in clinical terms – is a skin type that lacks oil rather than water. It feels tight after cleansing, looks flaky or rough, may show fine cracking, and often reads dull because the uneven surface scatters light.
It is worth separating dry skin from dehydrated skin: dryness is a lack of lipids and is usually lifelong, while dehydration is a temporary lack of water and can happen to oily skin too. Many people have both at once.
What causes dry skin?
At the root is a compromised moisture barrier. When ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids and natural moisturising factors run low, water evaporates out of the skin faster than it can be replaced.
Age, genetics, cold weather and low humidity, long hot showers, harsh surfactants, over-exfoliation, some medications, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis all deplete those lipids. Consistent moisturising is the single intervention with the strongest evidence behind it.
What ingredients are best for dry skin?
Rebuild in layers. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea and panthenol draw water in; emollients such as squalane, jojoba oil and shea butter smooth the surface; and occlusives seal the whole thing in.
Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are the priority, because they replace exactly what a dry barrier is missing, with niacinamide helping the skin make more of its own. Apply to damp skin, and swap foaming cleansers for cream or oil-based ones. Take our Skin Quiz to find the right combination for your skin.
