Sweet almond oil is one of the most common vegetable oils in cosmetology. It is obtained by cold pressing of almond kernels, peeled from the shell. This is a colorless or pale yellow oil with little or no odor or a very light nutty flavor. It is used both in pure form, and as an additive to various cosmetics. For facial skin, it is recommended to use in concentrations of no more than 10%, since with prolonged use, almond oil can be comedogenic (cause the appearance of black spots on the face due to the clogging of pores).
Properties
Almond oil contains a high percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids: oleic to 70%, linoleic from 20 to 30%, palmitic - 6.6%, and rich in vitamin D, and also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E and F, glucosides , minerals, protein substances.
Application
Used for all skin types as a nutritious, emollient and rejuvenating agent. It is used in formulations to normalize the work of the sebaceous glands with oily skin, with peeling, eczema, irritations. Almond oil is easily absorbed and distributed on the skin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, promotes hair growth, giving them shine and elasticity. It is considered one of the best massage oils. When ingestion helps reduce cholesterol in the body.
Use in cosmetology
- For addition to industrial facilities. To improve the useful properties and enrich the skin with vitamins, you can add almond oil to shampoos, conditioners, lotions, various creams at the rate of 7 ml per 100 ml of a means for dry hair and skin, 5 ml for normal, 3 ml for fatty, 20 ml - for sunscreen and beach cosmetics.
- For massage, the oil can be used in pure form or in combination with other base oils, as well as with the addition of essential oils. For massage of the face and neck, it is recommended to apply a mixture of almond oil and jojoba oil in equal proportions, adding 1-2 drops of essential oils to a tablespoon base. Pre-blend is better to warm up to 38 C. For dry skin, you can use essential oils of sandalwood (East Indian or Australian), neroli, limetta, roses damascene. For oily - bergamot, grapefruit, ylang-ylang. Almond oil with the addition of essential oils of patchouli, fennel, juniper berries, rosemary (verbennomnogo 3. chemotip), grapefruit, mandarin or orange is used for anti-cellulite massage.
- To strengthen the nails on the nail plate and cuticle, apply a mixture of almond oil with essential oils of lemon and ylang-ylang.
- To combat stretch marks, it is best to use a mixture of almond oil, wheat germ and macerated oil (oyster oil) arnica in equal proportions, with the addition of essential oils of rosemary (verbenon chemotypes) and petitgrane (5 drops each per 10 ml base).
- For the face it is good to make masks from oat flour (2 tablespoons), diluted with warm water, and almond oil (10 ml). With dry skin, 2 drops of essential oils of lemon, roses of damascene and sandalwood are added to this mask, and for fatty - essential oils of patchouli, orange and rosewood. With age-related changes and to reduce the harmful effects of artificial cosmetics, 1-2 times a month to do a hot oil mask. To do this, a napkin made from natural flax or cotton is dipped in hot water and squeezed, about 20 ml of oil is applied to it and the face is covered for 20-25 minutes, with a towel over it. To reduce the mimic wrinkles near the eyes, 3-4 drops of sandalwood essential oil can be added to the mask, and 2 drops of essential oils of cypress, lavender, and limetta for the weather-beaten and coarsened skin.
- To protect lips from weathering , especially in cold weather, you can prepare a special balm. The composition is simple: 1 teaspoon Shea butter (karite), almond oil and grape seed oil, half a teaspoon of beeswax, 3 drops of an oil solution of vitamin E
(tocopherol acetate), 5-6 drops of essential oil of sandalwood, carrot seeds, roses of damascene, lavender, cypress, tea tree or patchouli. In balsam for daytime use, the essential oils of bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, limetta, and kubebe are categorically contraindicated, since they are phototoxic.
For healing balm, instead of grape seed oil, it is better to take sea buckthorn oil, and from essential oils - a tea tree, a damascene rose and lavender. Wax to melt in a water bath, then add shea butter, then liquid oils. All warm up to 60-70 degrees. Remove from heat, cool a little, add essential oils and pour over jars.