7 Best Almond Oil Products for Hair

Bitter Almond Oil vs. Sweet Almond Oil

In terms of source material, there are two types of almond oils. These are bitter almond oil and sweet almond oil. These oils are obtained from almonds from different types of almond trees.

Bitter almond oil is obtained from bitter almonds which come from the amara variety of Prunus Dulcis. Sweet almond oil is obtained from sweet almonds which come from the amygdalus variety of Prunus Dulcis.

Sweet almonds are what everyone eats when they’re eating almonds and sweet almond oil is the variety of almond oil that is used in skin and hair care. Bitter almonds, on the other hand, are not edible. Even the oil they produce is not used for skin or hair care. However, bitter almond oil is a highly concentrated oil that is extremely beneficial for its medicinal benefits.

Typically, you’ll find bitter almond oil being sold in smaller bottles while sweet almond oil will be available in larger quantities.

More importantly, since sweet almond oil is more user more widely, people are usually referring to it when using the term “almond oil”.

Expeller-Pressed Almond Oil vs. Cold-Pressed Almond Oil

Another way to categorize almond oil is based on the extraction technique being used i.e., whether the oil is expeller-pressed or cold-pressed.

When almonds are put in a mechanical machine to obtain the oil, the extraction process is called expeller pressing. This process could be purely mechanical or it could involve heat and chemicals.

The use of heat and chemicals in the extraction process is undesirable because they can end up destroying the nutritional value of the oil being extracted. In fact, the higher the temperatures or the longer the exposure, the more nutrition it loses. Unfortunately, even when it is purely mechanical, the action of squeezing almonds can generate heat.

This doesn’t happen in cold-pressing extraction techniques. In cold-pressing, the temperatures are carefully maintained so that they never reach levels that can cause the oil to lose its nutritional value. This is why cold-pressed almond oils are considered to be a better choice for someone looking to leverage their benefits topically.

Unrefined Almond Oil vs. Refined Almond Oil vs. Organic Almond Oil

Almond oil can also be refined or unrefined.

Unrefined almond oil doesn’t go through any further processing after it is extracted from the almonds beyond the basic removal of colloidal material. Unrefined almond oil is closest to its natural form which is why it is the most nutrient-rich oil type.

In contrast, refined almond oil undergoes thorough processing to increase its smoking point. This makes refined almond oil an excellent choice if you plan to cook with it or even add it to hot foods. However, the extra refinement means further processing which may or may not involve chemicals. Regardless of the methods being used, refined almond oil is significantly less nutritious than unrefined almond oil.

Organic almond oil can also be considered to be a category on its own. However, organic almond oil is typically cold-pressed, unrefined almond oil obtained from organically grown almonds and carrying an organic certificate from the right authorities.

Even so, it is important to note that almond oil can be organic without having a formal certification and seal from the appropriate authorities. However, an almond oil product with the USDA organic certification or something equivalent can be considered to be the purest in the market.

Sweet Almond Oil Is a Great Moisturizer

The healthy fats in sweet almond oil are absorbed very quickly by the skin and scalp. However, even hair strands are quick to absorb these fats. These fats, after being absorbed, ensure that the hair shaft doesn’t get too dry. They occupy a lot of the space that water molecules are supposed to take up. Since they don’t evaporate as quickly as water molecules, hairs don’t get dry very quickly.

The fact that the hair strand doesn’t need a lot of moisture means that the cuticles in the outermost layer don’t feel the need to open up. Further, because they remain closed, they are better able to perform their primary task of protecting the hair strand.

Moreover, sweet almond oil also coats the hair strand on the outside to provide another layer of protection. This prevents moisture loss and keeps the hair hydrated. Along the way, it prevents frizz and flyaway hair. This extra layer also keeps the hair strands lubricated, which prevents damage caused by friction and mechanical stress.

This is also the reason why sweet almond oil is one of the best natural heat protectants. If you have sweet almond oil in your hair, your hair shafts will be much more resilient to the high temperatures of hot tools. Also, this protection will extend to other adverse environmental influences such as excess humidity, pollution, and ultraviolet rays.

Sweet Almond Oil Can Strengthen and Repair Hair

The hydrating and lubricating qualities of sweet almond oil make it particularly well suited for people with heavily processed and severely damaged hair. However, this oil is also a good choice for people with such hair types because it excels at strengthening and repairing brittle hair.

It can strengthen and repair severely damaged hair so well because it contains oleic acid and linoleic acid content. These specific healthy fats are scientifically proven to make hair more resilient and stronger. A study with these findings was conducted in 1999 on Brazilian almond oils.

Further, it contains micronutrients that nourish the hair strand and the hair follicles. For instance, the B-complex vitamins it contains are especially effective at helping hair follicles produce stronger hair strands. Similarly, magnesium is a mineral that boosts the follicle’s health too.

Sweet Almond Oil Can Nullify Inflammation

Sweet almond oil also has strong anti-inflammatory properties which come directly from the amount of vitamin E it contains. Vitamin E’s inherent antioxidant properties make it an excellent agent for combating oxidative stress which is usually behind inflammation.

Inflammation can lead to a variety of associated problems. It can cause irritation, itching, dandruff, rashes, and even hair loss in some cases. Therefore, by nullifying inflammation in the scalp, sweet almond oil has the potential to nullify all these problems.

Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Sweet almond oil works especially well as a pre-shampoo treatment. This kind of usage is best for people whose hairs tend towards dryness. More importantly, you need to use a pre-shampoo treatment if you have extremely damaged, coarse, frayed, weak, and brittle hair.

For instance, if you feel that your shampoo makes your hair very dry because of its natural inclinations or because of some kind of damage, you can try to apply sweet almond oil to your hair in small quantities before shampooing your hair.

Oil Treatment

One of the easiest ways of using sweet almond oil is in simple oil treatment. This also happens to be a method that can be used by everyone, regardless of what their hair needs. When you use sweet almond oil in this way, your hair gets all the benefits of this oil in equal measure.

To use sweet almond oil in this way, you start by taking a small amount of it in your hand and rubbing it between your palms. You can now gently massage the oil into your head paying special attention to your scalp and the roots of your hair.

If you want to enhance the benefits of the oil, warm it first. To do this, submerge the container with the oil in hot water till the oil reaches the right temperature. It is recommended to not expose the oil directly to high temperatures.

After letting the oil stay in your hair for however long you choose, you can wash it off.

Leave-In

Because of the protective properties of sweet almond oil, you can also use it as a leave-in conditioner and protectant. The process for doing this is virtually the same as when you use the oil for oil treatment.

The only difference is that you focus on spreading the oil on the hair strands instead of the scalp and the hair roots. Naturally, when you’re using sweet almond oil as a leave-in, you don’t rinse or wash it off.

You’ll need to be especially careful about how your hair reacts to sweet almond oil when using it as a leave-in. Normal to oily hair types will quickly get weighed down under almond oil.

If this happens to your hair, we suggest diluting the sweet almond oil with other ingredients. You can use other oils or even water to do this. Another solution would be to only apply the oil to the tips of your hair and staying as far away from the roots as possible.

Deep Conditioning

The longer you leave sweet almond oil in your hair, the more your hair will be able to draw on the benefits of this wonder oil. This is why sweet almond oil can also be used for deep conditioning the hair.

One of the best aspects of this oil is that it is a carrier oil that can help other ingredients penetrate deep into the hair shaft and the scalp. This means that you can enhance its inherent qualities with other ingredients, creating a deep conditioning treatment or mask that offers qualities specifically suited to your hair.

As to which ingredients you can mix into sweet almond oil, here are some recipes.

Smoothing And Softening Hair Mask with Sweet Almond Oil

If frizz is a major concern for you then it is likely that your hair tends towards excessive dryness. Your hair develops frizz when it is trying to absorb moisture from the environment around it.

The need for moisture causes the cuticles to open up making the hair very coarse and rough. This roughness can even make the hair look frayed, unattractive, and lackluster.

Almond oil is special because it can resolve both these issues at the same time, especially if it is used with other ingredients with similar qualities. Here’s a recipe.

1. Take coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil in equal proportions such as one tablespoon each.
2. Boil some water in a pan and transfer to a shallow bowl.
3. Put the oil blend into a glass or metal container and let the container rest in hot water till the blend reaches a temperature that you’re comfortable with.
4. Apply the warm oil blend to your hair. We suggest focusing on hair tips and avoiding your scalp and roots and using small quantities.
5. If you only apply this blend to the tips of your hair, you can treat it like a leave-in.
6. You can also apply this blend to your hair and avoid the roots. Allow the blend to work its magic for up to 30 minutes before washing it off with a good sulfate-free shampoo.
7. If you don’t have very oily hair, you can apply it to your scalp and hair roots for benefits above and beyond smoothing and softening. When applied like this, this blend changes from one that only smooths and softens to a full-fledged hot oil treatment with wide-ranging nourishing and moisturizing benefits.

Deep Conditioning Hair with Sweet Almond Oil

While you can use the previous recipe as a deep conditioning treatment by letting it stay in your hair for longer periods, the recipe we’re going to share here will be much more effective when it comes to hydration and nourishment.

Note that this recipe is best for people with heavily processed, extremely damaged, and moisture-starved hair.

1. Take an avocado and blend it till it turns into a paste.
2. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil and almond oil each into the avocado paste.
3. You can manipulate the proportions to make the mix pastier or more liquid. It all depends on how thick your hair is and what your preferences are. For instance, you might find it difficult to spread a thick paste in very tightly curled hair in comparison to a slightly more liquid mixture.
4. Make the mix homogenous and then apply to your hair, paying special attention to the scalp and roots as opposed to the hair strands and tips.
5. Let the mixture rest in your hair for a minimum of 45 minutes before washing it off with a sulfate-free shampoo.
6. If you find that 45 minutes aren’t giving sufficient moisture and smoothening, go for more. You can go as high as three hours.
7. On the other hand, if your hair becomes too greasy in 45 minutes, you can reduce the resting time to 30 or even 20 minutes.

Anti-Inflammation and Dandruff Hair Mask with Sweet Almond Oil

Inflammation and dandruff are closely connected. In fact, inflammation is something that will sooner or later result in hair loss too. Inflammation can be caused by internal physiological or hormonal problems or external influences such as infections or even pollution.

People who go out often start noticing buildup in their scalp along with some hair damage and dandruff precisely for this reason. If you’ve noticed these problems too then the chances are that you have inflammation.

The best way to deal with inflammation of this sort is to regularly use anti-inflammation agents in your scalp and we have the perfect recipe featuring sweet almond oil.

1. Mix approximately one tablespoon of olive oil with twice as much sweet almond oil.
2. Add about one tablespoon of honey to this mix along with one teaspoon of tea tree oil. You can even add a teaspoon of peppermint essential oil to this mix.
3. It is important to mix all these ingredients thoroughly especially because of the inherent viscousness of honey. Ensure that the mixture is homogenous.
4. Apply this mix to your scalp. Make sure to massage it in to increase blood circulation in the scalp because that will ensure better absorption of the ingredients.
5. Let the mask stay in your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Anti-Hair Loss Mask with Sweet Almond Oil

Hair loss is mainly a genetic problem. Genetic predisposition causes the body to produce more testosterone than needed. The body tries to cope with excess testosterone by converting it into Dihydrotestosterone or DHT.

It is DHT that is the main culprit behind hair loss in most people. It accumulates in the scalp and binds with the hair follicles. As a result, hair follicles are unable to grow and start shrinking. This prevents them from growing hair, resulting in hair loss.

However, it is possible to use natural ingredients to reduce the impact of excess DHT in the scalp. Sweet almond oil is the perfect carrier oil for delivering these DHT blockers to the scalp. Here’s a recipe.

1. Mix two tablespoons of castor oil and sweet almond oil each with one teaspoon of onion juice.
2. To make onion juice, you can blend an onion at home and then strain the solids out. Onion juice has strong anti-DHT properties.
3. Add two drops of rosemary oil and pumpkin seed oil to your mix to further enhance this recipe’s anti-DHT qualities. Both these essential oils are widely regarded to be great at stopping DHT.
4. Dampen your hair and massage your mask into your scalp. It doesn’t need to be spread all over your hair as the scalp is where hair loss problems are rooted.
5. Allow the mask to stay in your hair for as long as you can. The longer it stays in your hair, the more effective it will be.
6. You can even let it rest overnight by wearing a satin bonnet or wrapping a towel around your head.
7. Wash your hair the way you normally do.
8. You should apply this mask to your hair at least once a week if your hair loss problem is visible. If it is severe, you can even apply it twice a week.

Repairing Hair Mask with Sweet Almond Oil

Damaged hair is typically a result of a lack of moisture. The two are connected because a prolonged lack of moisture can cause protein loss. If you’re not experiencing hair loss but your hair is not in the best of health, then you need a repairing hair mask.

The best way to help this kind of hair is to give hair the protein it has lost. Sweet almond oil can be used as a carrier oil for such a mask too. Here’s a recipe.

1. Take an egg and separate the yolk from the albumin. If you don’t want to use egg yolk, you can replace it with a tablespoon of plain yogurt.
2. Mix one tablespoon of sweet almond oil and one teaspoon of argan oil into the yolk.
3. Add a teaspoon of shea butter to this mixture.
4. Mix everything till you have a homogenous mixture.
5. Apply this mix to your hair, making sure that you cover all your hair strands well.
6. You don’t need to apply this mask to your scalp because its purpose is to heal your hair strands.
7. Let this mask stay in place for up to 40 minutes before washing it off normally.

1. Horbäach Sweet Almond Oil

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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Horbäach is a very old name. It was established half a century ago in 1971. The company has offices in multiple countries but is registered in Las Vegas, USA. It also offers various products, one of which is sweet almond oil.

However, this is one of few brands in the market that offer sweet almond oil in a 64-ounce bottle. This makes it one of the cheapest options in the industry. The oil, though, isn’t cold-pressed. It is, instead, expeller-pressed which means that it doesn’t offer the same level of nutrition that cold-pressed sweet almond oil does.

Even so, the company says that their product is “premium therapeutic grade”. While expeller-pressed, it isn’t refined afterward which means that it is hexane-free too. This oil is, indeed, free of all additives and fillers. It doesn’t even smell like anything because it is completely unscented.

The fact that it comes in such a large bottle means that using it is difficult, especially since there is no real dispensing mechanism. You’ll need to transfer some of this oil into a smaller bottle to be able to use it. We recommend buying a pump bottle.

Who’s it for: If you’re planning to use almond oil for the long haul and want the most pocket-friendly option, get this one from Horbäach.

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2. Seven Minerals Sweet Almond Oil (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are two ways of obtaining sweet almond oil – expeller-pressing and cold-pressing.

Cold-pressing is inherently a more expensive process because it requires the manufacturer to keep the temperatures stable while the oil is being extracted. The extra cost the manufacturer incurs towards acquiring the right cold-pressing technology and keeping it running usually means that the end product is more expensively priced than if the oil was extracted through expeller-pressing.

This is the main reason why cold-pressed sweet almond oil products tend to be on the expensive side. However, the Sweet Almond Oil being offered by Seven Minerals is different. In fact, it happens to be one of the cheapest cold-pressed sweet almond oils in the market.

Its price is particularly impressive because the company says that this oil is pressed in California, USA. Even though it is incredibly pocket-friendly, Seven Minerals backs it with a money-back guarantee too. This means that if you don’t like this product after purchasing it, you can return it for a full refund.

This product is also pure. It contains no additional ingredients or fillers which means that it is completely hexane-free. It is even rated to be vegan and cruelty-free which is something that should appeal to animal lovers.

This sweet almond oil, however, doesn’t have the typical sweet almond scent that you would expect from it. Instead, it is entirely unscented. This can be seen as a pro or a con of the product, depending on how view the nutty almond scent.

One of the best things about this sweet almond oil is that it comes with a free DIY recipe eBook. While we’ve included recipes for many DIY sweet almond oil-based masks in this guide, this eBook will give you access to even more.

The biggest and only real flaw of this sweet almond oil is that the bottle it comes in is not equipped with any kind of dispensing mechanism. To use it, you’ll simply have to open the screw cap and pour some of the oil into your hand. This is not conducive to optimum use of the oil so we recommend investing in a pump bottle separately.

Who’s it for: If you want a pure and cold-pressed American-made almond oil without spending over the top, get this product from Seven Minerals.

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3. Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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The Sweet Almond Oil from Viva Naturals balances cost and quality very well.

Even though it isn’t extracted through cold-pressing, it is still a 100 percent pure sweet almond oil. This oil is, instead, expeller-pressed which means that its nutritional value cannot be compared to cold-pressed sweet almond oil products.

However, this oil remains incredibly pure and doesn’t contain any synthetic materials. This means that it doesn’t contain hexane or any kind of artificial fragrance. In fact, this sweet almond oil is entirely unscented. Therefore, if you don’t like the nutty scent typical of this oil, you’ll end up liking this product.

This sweet almond oil is neither too expensive nor very cheap. It falls in the zone that most people will find financially feasible. Further, this product comes in UV-protective amber bottles.

There are no bottle sizes to choose from and you won’t get a dispensing pump to make your life easier either. However, the bottle does come with a push-top cap that prevents spills and wastage.

Who’s it for: If you are sensitive to scents and not overly concerned about pressing techniques, get this oil from Viva Naturals.

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4. Pure Body Naturals Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil from Pure Body Naturals is one of the best such products in the market. It is a therapeutic grade sweet almond oil that is 100 percent pure and obtained through cold-pressing. As a result, this oil is completely free of any added chemicals or compounds. It also happens to be a cruelty-free product.

Further, the company says that it has forged “sustainable partnerships with artisan distillers” from Spain. Since Spain is a hub for sweet almond oil production, the oil is of high quality. Even though it is bottled domestically in the US, the fact that it is sourced in Europe is possibly the reason why it is a little on the expensive side.

Unlike many of its competing products which are unscented, this sweet almond oil has a mild and soothing scent. However, the scent is so light that a lot of people think that this product is unscented. The scent, though, is still divisive and there are as many people out there who like it as those that don’t.

You can get this oil in two differently sized bottles. The smaller one can hold four ounces of the oil while the bigger one carries 16 ounces. The bottles come with two different dispensing mechanisms too. There’s a press disc cap if you like to pour your oil and a pump in case you like to pump your oil.

Unfortunately, the provided pump often proves to be faulty straight out of the pack. It tends to leak even when the bottle is stationary.

Who’s it for: If you want the best cold-pressed almond oil at a good price, get this one from Pure Body Naturals.

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5. Handcraft Blends Sweet Almond Oil

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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In Europe, Spain is known for the quality of almonds it produces. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that the country is also known for the quality of its sweet almond oil. This Sweet Almond Oil from Handcraft Blends comes straight from that country.

However, because it is imported from Spain, it is priced expensively. On the positive side, Spain’s expertise with sweet almond oil pressing techniques ensures that this product is 100 percent pure.

This sweet almond oil is obtained through cold-pressing and is completely unrefined. It doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients and is, in fact, not only vegan but also cruelty-free. It doesn’t even have a scent. This is a good feature since everyone doesn’t like the uniquely nutty scent of almonds.

Unlike many of its competitors, the bottle this product comes in is also equipped with a dispensing pump. The pump even works as expected which makes this product much easier to use.

Who’s it for: If you want a cold-pressed fragrance-free almond oil from Spain, buy this one from Handcraft Blends.

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6. Sky Organics Organic Sweet Almond Oil

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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Sweet almond oil is obtained from sweet almonds that are native to Southwestern Asia and the Middle East. However, they’re also grown as far east as Pakistan and India.

This Organic Sweet Almond Oil from Sky Organics traces its roots to India. However, while the oil comes from India, it is still bottled in the US. The best part, though, is that it carries a USDA organic certification with it. This means that the oil adheres and conforms to the higher American standards of manufacture.

As a result, it is 100 percent pure and doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals and compounds. There is neither any hexane in this product nor any other additive or filler ingredient.

It doesn’t even have an added fragrance. What smell it has is completely natural and very faint. In fact, this oil’s scent is light enough for it to be considered unscented.

This sweet almond oil is obtained through cold-pressing and is responsibly sourced too. The product is also vegan and rated to be cruelty-free.

You can get it in two different pack sizes. If you’re a new user, we recommend the single 16-ounce bottle but if you’ve used it before then you should get the double pack. The double pack will turn out to be less expensive than the single bottle. However, on the whole, this is an expensive sweet almond oil product.

Incidentally, the bottles don’t come with a dispensing pump. Instead, they have a push-cap lid. The bottles, though, are squeezable which makes the push-cap lid easier to use.

Who’s it for: If you want a cold-pressed almond oil that is USDA organic certified, get this from Sky Organics.

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7. Mary Tylor Naturals Organic Sweet Almond Oil (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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Like all products in the hair care industry, sweet almond oil also has different qualities. Higher-quality sweet almond oil products feel and smell more luxurious. Further, they contain more nutrients and are obtained through cleaner, better-grade processes.

This is most evident in this Organic Sweet Almond Oil from Mary Tylor Naturals. In fact, this product and company are considered to be the yardsticks against which all other products and brands are measured when it comes to organic oils.

This specific product carries with it the USDA organic certified seal which means that the company has gone through the expensive and harrowing process of getting USDA approval.

Further, the company says that they obtain their sweet almond oil from “organic artisan farmers”. The oil itself is extracted through cold-pressing which means that it retains all the nutrients that almonds are known for.

The clearest proof of this is the scent of this sweet almond oil. Unlike many other sweet almond oil products in the market, this one has that genuine, slightly sweet almond scent. The scent is neither too strong nor too mild. Therefore, unless you don’t like nutty scents, you’ll end up liking this oil.

The purity of this oil also means that the oil doesn’t contain any kind of fillers or additives and is completely free of synthetic chemicals and compounds. This oil is also rated to be cruelty-free. Even the bottles it comes in are BPA-free.

There are different bottle sizes to choose from too. These are four ounces, eight ounces, and 16 ounces. While the smaller bottle comes with a dropper, the bigger bottles only come with push caps. This means that you won’t get the convenience of a dispensing pump with this product.

As is understandable, the premium quality of this sweet almond oil means that it is priced expensively. This happens to be its biggest flaw.

Who’s it for: If you want a truly premium almond oil with a genuine sweet almond scent and USDA certification, get this one from Mary Tylor Naturals.

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