How almonds became a skincare superhero, moving from the snack aisle to usurp coconut oil, shea butter and argan nut beauty products
Weleda’s Almond Soothing Facial Cream and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate are 2 ways to get the benefits of almonds’ vitamin E and fatty acids
Move over, coconut oil and shea butter – there’s a new hero in the skincare aisle, and it’s none other than the humble almond. Long a favourite snack and staple of healthy diets. The recent ascent of the almond in the skincare world has been nothing short of meteoric.
“Consumers are looking for authentic products and experiences that are good for their health, skin and well-being,” says Marie Videau, general manager of research and development at L’Occitane Group, a cosmetics company known for its bestselling line of products derived from almonds.
Among so many botanical stars, almonds are loved for their versatility and impressive health benefits. “As a popular snack, they are often consumed raw in their natural form for their essential nutrients, including protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals,” Videau adds.
Whether in the form of luxurious oils, soothing milk or powerful extracts, almonds are now a go-to beauty ingredient.
How does this work in skincare?
Almonds offer a wealth of benefits when incorporated into beauty products. Their high vitamin E content makes them especially valuable, helping protect the skin from oxidative stress and promoting healing. Additionally, the fatty acids found in almonds help maintain the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it hydrated and resilient.
Nutrient rich and lightweight, cold-pressed almond oil is a hydration hero, nourishing skin without greasiness, while almond milk – a blend of almonds and water – soothes and calms sensitive skin, making it suitable for gentle cleansers.
Almond extract packs a potent punch in toners and masks, delivering repairing and nourishing benefits, while ground almonds make for excellent exfoliants, sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.
According to Videau, sweet almond oil, which is packed with skin-protecting compounds, has been a beauty staple since ancient times. Oleic acid is abundant in almond extract and deeply nourishes the skin, enhancing its texture and suppleness. Another important compound is squalene, which Videau says is “a key component of the skin’s protective barrier. It helps to maintain skin hydration and to improve smoothness and suppleness.” Its antioxidant properties also boost skin tonicity and guard against external aggressors.