Sweet Almond Carrier Oil
The sweet almond tree, Prunus Delcis, is grown mostly in California and Italy for the cultivation of commercial foods and oils. Sweet almond oil is extracted from the nut of the sweet almond tree using either hexane (an alkaline chemical), or by cold pressing (squeezing the skinned nut in a metal press); the resulting product is light in color and nearly odorless.2
Is Almond Oil a Carrier Oil?
Sweet almond oil can be used on its own as a moisturizing agent, or as a carrier oil mixed with essential oils. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils which may irritate the skin on their own.
Almond oil has been deemed safe for use, and rarely irritates the skin, even in high concentrations. It’s often used in a variety of health and beauty products due to its antioxidant properties.1
Almond Oil for Dark Circles
Dark under eye circles, also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation, occur for many reasons including sun damage, dry skin, loose skin, thin skin, inflammation, or increased levels of melanin.
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Common treatments for the condition use fat grafting, laser therapy, chemical peels, or topical skin bleaching solutions to reduce discoloration.3 Fortunately, there are less invasive, and more natural methods of countering the discoloration of the under eye area.
Read More: Essential Oils for Skin and Essential Oil for Sunburns
Sweet almond oil for dark circles works by targeting portions of the skin where increased melanin and skin damage has occurred due to UV exposure. Sweet almond oil is rich in antioxidants, and has been shown to combat UV damage, offering an added layer of photoprotective oil to the skin.4
Almond oil for eyes can be applied directly to the skin using clean fingertips or a cotton ball. Apply two drops of the almond oil dark circles remedy at night, before bed, being careful not to rub eyes after application.
Almond oil for dark circles reviews are mostly positive, with many suggesting that the oil be massaged into the under eye skin gently, using the pinky or ring finger.
Almond Oil Recipe for Dark Circles
You can also make your own almond oil under eyes mask by combining 6 drops of organic sweet almond oil, with 1 Tbsp. organic raw honey. Mix well, and apply evenly to the under eye skin, being especially careful of your lashes, which could stick in the mixture.
This mask can be left on overnight, and rinsed off using lukewarm water in the morning.
Almond Oil for Skin
Almond oil uses for skin include natural moisturizers, massage oils, soaps, or as a carrier oil for aromatherapy with essential oils. One of the best almond oil for skin applications is soap.
Adding sweet almond oil for skin care products is common practice for commercial soaps and helps keep the skin from becoming dry and brittle with extended use.5
Almond Oil DIY Soap Recipe
To make your own cold pressed almond oil liquid soap at home, combine ¼ cup sweet almond oil with ¼ cup honey, ½ cup castile soap, 1 Tsp. fractionated coconut oil, and 15 drops of lavender essential oil.
Once the mixture is prepared, transfer to a clean bottle with dispenser lid, and use as needed.
You can also create your own almond body oil, to harness the moisturizing almond oil skin benefits. In a small glass bottle, or sealable jar, mix 2 oz. sweet almond oil, 4 drops almond essential oil, 10 drops chamomile essential oil, and 10 drops orange essential oil.
Mix well, and use as needed; a few drops of this body oil goes a long way, so use it sparingly.
Almond Oil for Hair
There are several benefits of almond oil for hair including added moisture, vitamin E, and as a carrier oil for essential oil mixtures. When combined with beneficial properties of tea tree essential oil in a shampoo, the natural remedy may help reduce the symptoms of dandruff.7
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found even at a low concentration of 5%, tea tree oil improved dandruff and dry scalp.7
To use almond carrier oil in your own tea tree shampoo, fill a clean dry bottle with ¼ cup castile soap, ¼ cup distilled water, 1 Tbsp. vitamin E oil, 2 Tbsp. sweet almond oil, 10 drops tea tree essential oil, 10 drops peppermint essential oil, and 5 drops lavender essential oil. Mix well, and use as needed.
Read More: Essential Oils for Hair
Another essential oil which works well with sweet almond oil for hair is cypress essential oil. Used in a 2009 animal study, researchers found that subjects who received a topical application of cypress essential oil saw a significant improvement in hair growth.8
To use almond oil for hair growth at home, try the same shampoo recipe above, replacing tea tree essential oil with cypress essential oil, and peppermint essential oil with orange essential oil.
You can also create an almond oil hair loss mask by combining 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, 1 Tbsp. sweet almond oil, and 5 drops of cypress essential oil; mix well, and apply to towel dried hair. After 20 minutes, rinse hair, and style as usual.
Almond Oil for Face
There are many sweet almond oil properties, such as its antibacterial quality, which work to clean the facial skin, and prevent acne breakouts. A 2010 study found that sweet almond oil can inhibit the growth of several strains of bacteria, such as B. cereus, which causes wound infections.9
This makes sweet almond oil for acne a great addition to soaps and facial treatments, which target the acne causing bacteria.
Another one of the uses of almond oil on face is a post acne treatment, to smooth and hydrate skin. In a 2009 pilot study, sweet almond oil was used in a three-stage acne prevention method as part of a yoghurt and honey face mask, as well as on its own as a bedtime face treatment.
The results of the sweet almond oil application showed clean, brightener skin.10
To soak up all the sweet almond oil face benefits, you can make your own face mask using essential oils and sweet almond oil for face treatments at home. Combine 1 Tbsp. plain Greek yoghurt, 1 Tsp. organic honey, 3 drops almond oil carrier oil, and 3 drops tea tree essential oil, and mix well. This can be used daily, and left on for up to 2 hours before rinsing off in lukewarm water.
What is Sweet Almond Oil Good For?
Sweet almond oil has historically been used in traditional medicine systems to treat eczema and psoriasis. There is some anecdotal evidence which also supports the use of pure almond oil to treat stretch marks and scarring.6
You can apply almond oil for stretch marks directly to the affected area daily.
Almond Oil Lip Treatment Recipe
Another of the many sweet almond oil uses is natural lip gloss, you can use almond oil for lips on its own, or in combination with other plant oils. To make a convenient on-the-go lip treatment, combine 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, 3 drops sweet almond oil, and 1 drop vitamin E oil, mix well and store in a small sealable jar for easy application.
There are many other almond oil uses which you can add to your daily routine, such as eyelash care. Eyelashes require moisture to stay healthy and glossy. You can use almond oil for eyelashes, by applying a small amount before bed.
To apply the almond oil, use a clean eyelash brush, or the end of a cotton swab, and be careful not to rub your eyes once the sweet almond oil as been applied.
Almond oil is sometimes used in ear drops for impacted wax which needs to be softened before extraction. The drops are usually added twice daily before the ear is syringed by a medical professional.11
Almond oil in ear care is common in cases of impacted wax, but should only be used under doctor instruction.
You can also use almond oil as lube or massage oil during sexual activity, as the oil does not irritate the skin. Be sure to ask your doctor, “can I use almond oil as a lubricant?” before using it internally, as some oils are best used externally.
To make your own almond massage oil, combine 3 drops of sweet almond oil, with 3 drops vitamin E oil, and 5 drops of your favorite soothing essential oil, such as lavender essential oil. Gently massage into the skin until absorbed.

Where to Buy Almond Oil
With all of its beneficial qualities, people often wonder ‘where can I buy almond oil?’ Previously, pure and organic almond oil could only be purchased from specialty health stores.
Now, due to the advancements in technology, high quality, cold pressed almond oil products like NOW Almond Oil and Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Oil can be purchased online easily and affordably.
I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. I share my story with you, so you can thrive and change your life, like it has done for me. Click here to read about my story.
Scientific Research Referenced in this Article
- (1983). 4 final report on the safety assessment of sweet almond oil and almond meal. International Journal of Toxicology 2(5), 85-99. DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/10915818309140716
- Shahidi, F. & Miraliakbari H. (2005) Tree nut oils. Bailey’s Industrial Oil and Fat Products 3(7). DOI: 1002/047167849X.bio046
- Vashi, N. A. & Kundu, R.V. (2013) Facial hyperpigmentation: causes and treatment. British Journal of Dermatology 169(3), 41-56. DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12536
- Sultana. Y., Kholi, K., Athar, M., Khar, R. K. & Aqil, M. (2007) Effect of pre-treatment of almond oil on ultraviolet B-induced cutaneous photoaging in mice. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 6(1), 14-19. DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00293.x
- Kuehl, B. L., Fyfe, K. S. & Shear N. H. (2003) Cutaneous cleansers. Skin Therapy Letters 8(3), 1-4. Retrieved on May 31, 2017 from http://www.skintherapyletter.com/2003/8.3/1.html?pagewanted=all
- Ahmad Z. (2009) The uses and properties of almond oil. Complimentary Therapies in Clinical Practice 16(1), 10-12. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.015
- Satchel, A.C., Saurajen, A., Bell, C. & Barnetson R. (2002) Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 47(6), 852-855. org/10.1067/mjd.2002.122734
- Lee, G. S., Hong, E. J., Gwak, K. S., Park, M. J., Choi, K. C., Choi, I. G., … & Jeung, E. B. (2009) The essential oils of chamaecyparis obtusa promote hair growth through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor gene. Fitoterapia 81(1), 17-24. org/10.1016/j.fitote.2009.06.016
- Upadhyay, R. K., Dwivedi P & Ahmad S. (2010) Screening of antibacterial activity of six plant essential oils against pathogenic bacterial strains. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2(3), 152-158. Retrieved on May 31, 2017 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284033781_Screening_of_Antibacterial_Activity_of_Six_Plant_Essential_Oils_Against_Pathogenic_Bacterial_Strains – View reference
- Sabry E. (2009) A three-stage strategy in treating acne vulgaris in patients with atopic dermatitis – a pilot study. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists 19, 95-105. Retrieved on May 31, 2017 from http://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/519/492
- McCarter, D., Courtney, U. & Pollart M. (2007) Cerumen Impaction. American Family Physician 75(10), 1523-1528. Retrieved on June 1, 2017 from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0515/p1523.html
I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. I have created a book called "The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Essential Oils" that will teach you about some of the amazing benefits and uses that essential oils can provide in your home. Click here to get the FREE book.