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 hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne is acne whose timing and pattern track with hormonal activity rather than with cleansing habits or diet alone. It typically appears along the lower face – jawline, chin and upper neck – as deep, tender papules and cysts that flare on a predictable cycle.
It is most recognisable in adult women, where breakouts often arrive in the week before menstruation and settle again afterwards.
What causes hormonal acne?
Androgens – testosterone and DHT in particular – bind to receptors on the sebaceous gland and increase sebum production. When androgen activity rises or oestrogen falls, oil output climbs and follicles clog more readily.
Menstrual cycles, starting or stopping contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause and PCOS are the usual contexts. Stress raises cortisol, which amplifies the same pathway. Persistent hormonal acne with irregular cycles or excess hair growth is worth investigating medically.
What ingredients are best for hormonal acne?
Retinoids are the most effective topical, because they stop the plug forming regardless of how much oil is being produced. Azelaic acid reduces inflammation and the marks that follow, and niacinamide helps regulate sebum.
Salicylic acid keeps pores clear between flares, and benzoyl peroxide targets bacteria in inflamed lesions. Because hormonal acne is driven from the inside, topicals manage rather than cure it – consistency across the whole cycle beats spot-treating during a flare. Take our Skin Quiz.
