Almond oil is also known as Prunus Dulcis and is commonly found in North Africa, India, and the Middle East. It contains a range of vitamins such as Vitamin A, E, B, and D, besides containing potassium, zinc, and monosaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it has a variety of skin, hair, and health benefits.
Is Almond Oil Good for Hair?
Yes. An emollient, almond oil helps fill in the gaps at a cellular level, imparting a smoother texture to your hair. Almond oil is a powerhouse of minerals and vitamins like Vitamin E, proteins, potassium, zinc, and omega-9 fatty acids.
It has hydrating and nourishing properties that make your hair healthy and shiny. Regular application of almond oil makes your hair softer and less frizzy over time.
Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair
If you are still wondering why is almond oil good for hair, here are the many benefits of almond oil for hair.
1. Treats Scalp Infection and Inflammation
Chemicals present in hair products, pollutants, dust, and heat can damage your hair and lead to infection and inflammation. This leads to dandruff, hair loss, weak hair, and many other hair concerns.
Applying almond oil helps reduce and soothe inflammation as the oil is equipped with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
2. Treats Hair Breakage and Split Ends
Several factors like lack of nutrients, dry hair, and many more can cause split ends, hair loss, and even hair breakage. Almond oil helps remove any inflammation or dandruff from your scalp and boosts hydration.
The oil has an abundance of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. These minerals foster healthy hair growth and reduce thinning of hair and split ends.
3. Promotes Soft and Shiny Hair
Almond oil contains essential fatty acids; they impart the required hydration to your hair while moisturising the scalp and the hair strands leading to healthy hair that are softer and shinier.
4. Strengthens Hair
As per studies, the traces of linoleic acid and oleic acid in almond oil enhance your hair's resilience. A nourishing oil enriched with Vitamin E and B7, almond oil repairs the hair structure from the roots by increasing blood circulation. It introduces powerful antioxidants to your scalp, ensuring that your hair follicles get repaired and strengthened.
5. Almond Oil for Hair Growth
There are no proven clinical trials that validate the effectiveness of almond oil for hair growth. But almond oil is known to be rich in Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, hence helping curb environmental stress and making hair stronger and healthier. In addition, your hair becomes less prone to split ends, which means lesser hair loss and faster hair growth.
Almond Oil for Beard
Almond oil promotes beard growth as it is enriched with protein, magnesium, and biotin. It also contains Vitamin D and A and helps combat beard hair split ends, dry hair, and more.
Since it is hypoallergenic, it reduces inflammation and bacteria. It also helps remove the dead cells that clog pores and thereby prevents dandruff.
6. Almond Oil for Dandruff
There exist a plethora of causes for the condition of dandruff. This includes dry skin, unhygienic hair care routine, excess shampoo, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, eczema, yeast-like fungus infection, and allergy.
When your scalp starts accumulating dandruff, the oxygen supply gets blocked, damaging the hair follicles. Thus, it is recommended to use almond oil for dandruff treatment. The oil causes it to soften and loosen the grip on the scalp, after which dandruff can be easily washed out with shampoo.
7. Almond Oil for Hair Fall
Almond oil contains Vitamin E and Biotin, which helps repair damaged hair. Also rich in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids, almond oil leaves your hair free of frizz and lustrous.
It saves your hair after they face pollution and undergo the impact of heating products. Use almond oil to nourish your hair; include it in a hair mask or use it in the form of an after-wash serum.
Castor Oil and Almond Oil for Hair
You can blend castor oil and almond oil for hair to maximise the hair benefits. Mix one tablespoon of castor oil, two tablespoons of almond oil, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and two tablespoons of sesame oil.
Heat the oil for better absorption, and massage it from roots to ends of the hair. Ideally, you should leave it overnight and wash it off the next day.
How to Use Almond Oil for Hair?
You can directly apply almond oil to the scalp or hair. Rub a small amount of oil between your palms before using it to warm the oil up. It is recommended to massage the oil to your scalp and the ends of your hair. This will evenly spread the oil out and help enhance the shine and texture of your hair.
How to Make Almond Oil at Home?
Get an organic oil of your choice and almonds. To begin with, add two cups of almonds to a blender and blend them to make a powder. Then, take a pan and add any oil of your choice, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or any other.
Turn on the flame and add powdered almonds to the oil. Cook on low flame for at least 15-20 minutes, turn it off, and let the mixture cool down. After that, you can strain the oil and keep it in an airtight container. Use it whenever needed.
Also Read: Calories in 1 Almond | Is It Healthy to Eat Almonds Daily?
Almond Oil Vs. Coconut Oil - What to Use?
When it comes to choosing almond oil vs. coconut oil, they both are similar in terms of versatility, benefits, and properties. However, almond oil is often considered the carrier oil base because it has a light texture and faint scent.
Besides, it is more suitable for oily skin due to its low comedogenic rating. On the other hand, when used on oily skin, coconut oil can lead to clogged pores of the skin. For this reason, almond oil can be a wiser choice for oily skin types.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Using Almond Oil for Hair
It is generally safe for anyone to use almond oil on their skin or hair. But those who experience intense allergic reactions from nuts should avoid using almond oil. Otherwise, the allergy condition may get severe.
Before heat styling your hair, it is recommended not to apply pure almond on it. The oil around your hair follicles will absorb heat and can cause your scalp or your hair shaft to burn.
Summing Up on Almond Oil for Hair
Almond oil is a powerful elixir that helps stimulate hair growth while addressing many hair concerns. You can reap immense benefits from the oil, from strengthening the roots to combating hair fall.
Applying almond oil to your hair and scalp may significantly improve your hair concerns like split ends, hair breakage, itchy scalp, and dry roots.
FAQS
Can I Use Almond Oil on My Hair Daily?
No, it is not recommended to use almond oil daily. Using almond oil every day can clog hair pores as oil attracts dirt and hence accumulates dandruff. Oiling every day also means washing hair with shampoo, which is not ideal if you want soft, lustrous, and healthy hair. Therefore, oiling hair once or twice a week is recommended.
Can I Leave Almond Oil in My Hair for 2 Days?
There is an ongoing debate on how long you should leave almond oil in your hair. For better understanding, you need to figure out your hair type and the amount of time you can apply almond oil to the hair. Ideally, it is recommended not to leave any oil in your hair for more than one day. Even one day seems more because the oil forms a layer on your scalp and clogs your pores, thereby accumulating more dandruff and dirt. Besides, it can make your scalp constantly feel dirty and greasy.
Is It Okay to Leave Almond Oil in Your Hair Overnight?
Yes, it is completely okay to apply almond oil and leave it in your hair overnight.
Can We Apply Almond Oil on Wet Hair?
Yes, we can apply almond oil to wet hair. It works best when you incorporate these simple steps into your hair care routine. Untangle your wet hair using a wide-toothed comb. Pour some almond oil on your palms, rub it, and apply it evenly to your scalp. Keep in mind that the oil should enter the roots of every hair strand. Comb your hair gently and wear a shower cap. Leave it for an hour or leave it overnight for better results. Wash off your hair thoroughly to remove the oil.
How Long Does Almond Oil Take to Work?
Based on anecdotal evidence, it is advisable to use almond oil regularly for two to three weeks, after which you may notice the desired results.
References
- Z Shi, September 2000; Analysis of physicochemical property and composition of fatty acid of almond oil - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12552899/
- Zeeshan Ahmad, February 2010; The uses and properties of almond oil - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20129403/
- Vitamin E - https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
