When you look at a list of ingredients on a Camille Beckman product, you’ll likely notice almond oil near the top of the list. And, if you regularly use our skincare, you likely know that almond oil is a key feature in our hand and body cream.
Almond oil is a crucial element of the Camille Beckman story. It was one of two main ingredients in Aunt Rose’s Hand Cream formula, a family recipe that eventually became our Glycerine Hand Therapy.
But, what exactly is almond oil? How does it help your skin? Learn all about this nourishing, natural ingredient in this guide from Camille Beckman.
What Is Almond Oil?
Almond oil is a naturally derived product that comes from almonds. There are actually two main kinds of almond oil: sweet and bitter.
Bitter almond oil is commonly used in aromatherapy and soaps. It has a stronger smell and isn’t as nourishing, although it’s still safe to use on skin. It’s used for its good-smelling properties. Ironically, bitter almond oil is actually more fragrant than sweet almond oil, and is known for its sweet and enticing natural scent.
Sweet almond oil, which is what we use in Camille Beckman products, comes from sweet almonds. It’s often used in skincare and haircare. Sweet almond oil doesn’t smell as strong, so it can be used in unscented and scented products.
How Is Almond Oil Made?
Almonds grow on trees. When in nut form, they are delicious to eat alone or in various sweet and savory dishes. But, how does a hard almond become almond oil?
Almond oil is created when the almond is cold-pressed using steel presses at room temperature. This process ensures no heat or chemicals are used while extracting the oil.
Sweet almond oil comes from the fruit of a specific kind of almond tree, the Prunus amygdalus almond tree, which is native in the Middle East and Asia. However, these trees have been in the U.S. since around the 19th century. They are commonly grown in California, which is where all of our Sweet Almond Oil is sourced from.
Is Almond Oil Ethically Sourced?
Just like many natural products, almond oil can be ethically sourced. At Camille Beckman, we are committed to offering high-quality ingredients that come from great sources. It’s important to us that we create our products in a way that’s good for people, animals, and the environment.
So, we source our almond oil from sustainable farms, primarily in California and the Western United States. We also never test any products on animals, so you can feel good while making your skin feel good!
What Is Almond Oil Used For?
Almond oil has many anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties. Sweet almond oil in its pure form is an excellent addition to many skincare and haircare products, and we swear by it as the foundation for nourished skin.
Some products that often include almond oil include:
- Body butter
- Hand cream
- Lotion
- Bar soap
- Body wash
- Lip balm
- Shampoo & conditioner
At Camille Beckman, we use sweet almond oil in our Glycerine Hand Therapy and Silky Body Cream.
What Are The Benefits Of Almond Oil?
We use almond oil because it has so many advantages for your hands and body. We also love how science and experience backs the benefits of sweet almond oil.
Let’s explore these advantages and what they mean.
Moisturizes & Hydrates
According to research, hand creams with sweet almond oil can help with hand dermatitis. A particular study even found that people who used hand cream with almond oil had reduced itching, stinging, and redness compared to the control group.
With almond oil in our Glycerine Hand Therapy, you can nourish and hydrate your hands and feet. Our Silky Body Cream provides similar benefits for your entire body. For deep hand hydration you can apply our hand cream at night under a glove.
Treats Skin Conditions
Almond oil provides hydration as it is an emollient. It’s also safe for sensitive skin because it doesn’t irritate and is lightweight. Because it’s so hydrating, this product can smooth your skin and may help sooth certain skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
While almond oil isn’t a cure for these conditions, it can provide anywhere from basic to great levels of relief.
Anti-Aging
While sweet almond oil isn’t primarily an anti-aging product, it can still be good for aging skin. It provides nourishment, which can make your skin look and feel smoother and brighter. It’s not meant to remove wrinkles or fine lines, but it’s natural propensity for hydration can leave the skin appearing younger and fine lines temporarily plumped and filled.
UV Protection
Ultraviolet rays from the sun can age your skin by causing dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Some research shows that almond oil can reduce and slow down aging from sun damage.
This is because almond oil is a barrier that can protect your skin from UV rays. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant which can deter cell damage. While almond oil isn’t a replacement for sunscreen, it can be a great addition to protect your skin.
Helps With Scars
Because almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it may help prevent scars, although more research still needs to be done to draw permanent conclusions.
Current research does show that almond oil can help prevent stretch marks and keep stretch marks from itching. Almond oil may also help existing stretch marks heal and fade.
Does Almond Oil Cause Acne?
In body and handcare products, acne isn’t much of a concern. But, if you’re curious about almond oil in general, you may wonder if face products with this ingredient cause acne.
The answer is that it depends. Almond oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so for some people, it can reduce inflammation and redness.
For other people, almond oil may increase acne because it is very hydrating, which can cause breakouts from some.
If you’re interested in acne reducing products, we suggest checking out our Cosmic Body line, which is made from jojoba oil since it is also very nourishing and 100% comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores or leave the skin oily.
How Do You Add Almond Oil To Your Daily Routine?
If you want to receive the benefits of almond oil for your skin, all you need to do is use quality, natural products with almond oil.
For your hands, we recommend using our Glycerine Hand Therapy at least once a day, but you can use it multiple times depending on how your skin feels. Putting the hand cream on in the morning at night is particularly beneficial. Our hand creams come in many fragrances and sizes to suit your needs.
For the rest of your body, apply our Silky Body Cream twice daily or as needed. This product can nourish and relieve your hands, body, and feet. Our body cream also comes in multiple sizes and scents.
Nourish & Pamper Your Skin With Camille Beckman
At Camille Beckman, we love sweet almond oil and believe you will, too. This ingredient provides many benefits for your skin and is gentle enough for all skin types. If you have dry, aging, or scarred skin, almond oil can nourish and firm to help create skin you love and that feels great.
Find a store that carries Camille Beckamn near you using our store locator or order from our online store today.