If you have been on the lookout for a really good oil for your natural hair then look no further than Sweet almond oil.
Sweet almond oil is perfect for hair because of the many benefits that it has.
If you want an oil that is light but effective then I would definitely suggest you give this oil a try.
Sweet Almond oil is part of the nut (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) family (white flower) but is not to be confused with bitter almond (pink flower).
The main difference between sweet almond and bitter almond (Prunus dulcis, var. Amara) is they are taken from different parts of the almond plant.
Essentially they are different nuts. Bitter almond is of a less quality oil compared to sweet almond oil.
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7 Benefits Of Using Sweet Almond Oil In Your Hair
1. Increases Shine
If it’s shine you are after then you can count on sweet almond oil to give you that.
If your hair has become dull through processing damage then simply apply a little oil to help with shine and lustre.
Sweet almond oil contains high levels of vitamin A, B, D and E which should help bring your hair back to life.
Sweet almond oil is amazing for natural hair you can try it out for yourself here
Related post: 11 ways to get healthy shiny natural hair
2. Strengthens Hair And Reduces Hair Loss
Using Sweet almond oil has been said to strengthen natural hair.
Almond oil has lubricating properties which make it harder for the strands of hair to become dry and brittle.
Both of these things can cause hair to break and get split ends.
As you probably already know natural hair is prone to dryness so using a little almond oil is the perfect way to strengthen your hair and in effect give you more evidence of hair growth as it will help with length retention.
3. Treats Dandruff And Aids In A Healthy Scalp
Sweet almond oil is not just good for your hair but there are benefits to using it on your scalp also.
Some people like to rub a little into their scalp as it helps with circulation and also gets rid of dry scalp and any dandruff issues.
Related post: Why you need a scalp massage!
4. Helps With Hair Growth
It is said that sweet almond oil could help your hair to grow, this is because the oil makes the stands of hair stronger as explained above, in turn, causing less breakage and therefore more retained length.
The misconception that some people have is that their hair doesn’t naturally grow when in fact it does.
If you can stop your hair from breaking and getting split ends then you will begin to see more length retention.
5. Seals In Moisture
Having an oil seal in moisture is perfect for natural hair.
Natural hair can be very dry and we, therefore, need to constantly be trying to find ways to retain the moisture in our hair.
Using oil is a great way to do this.
The best way to use sweet almond oil as a hair moisturiser is to use water first and then apply either a butter or an oil next. Following the LOC method is a great way to do this.
The oil will help to seal in the moisture and prevent your hair from getting dry very quickly during the day.
6. Perfect For All Hair Types
Sweet almond oil works for all hair types.
It is a very light oil and not greasy at all so can be used on all hair types from type 1 all the way to type 4c.
7. Conditions Hair
Sweet almond oil is also great if you want to condition your hair.
Some people like to add a little bit to their conditioner when they wash their hair and others like to use it as part of their daily routine.
If you are using this oil as part of your daily routine then make sure you apply some water to your hair first before applying the oil.
How To Apply Sweet Almond Oil To Your Hair
There are different ways that you can use sweet almond oil in your hair.
- As part of your daily routine
- As a pre-poo
- For a hot oil treatment
To Use Sweet Almond Oil As Part Of Your Daily Routine
Dampen your hair with water using a spray bottle like this one then you can either add a leave-in conditioner and then the sweet almond oil or just apply the sweet almond oil straight away to your hair.
You might find it easier to apply the oil if you are working in smaller sections rather than on your whole hair at once.
Apply a little oil at a time.
You can either apply it to the ends of your hair to seal in the moisture or apply it from root to tip.
You may need to give it a few trials to see which way feels better for your hair, you don’t want your hair to feel weighed down with too much oil.
Related post: How to create the perfect hair routine for you
Use Sweet Almond Oil As A Pre-Poo
- Work your hair into sections. I like to have my hair in 6 sections as this feels more manageable to me.
- Take each section at a time and apply the sweet almond oil generously from the root to the tip of your hair.
- Once each section is covered with oil place a plastic shower cap over it so the oil has time to soak well into the hair shaft.
- Leave on for about 30 mins to 1 hour then rinse and continue as normal.
Related post: How to perfectly pre-poo your hair
Hot Oil Treatment
- Warm a small amount of oil in the microwave.
- You shouldn’t have to warm it for more than 10 or 15 seconds.
- The oil should be warm and not hot to the touch.
- Apply the warm oil to your scalp and massage in.
- Use a wide-tooth comb to disburse the oil down the hair shaft and cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off
Related posts: The perfect DIY hot oil treatment for your hair
How To Store Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is best stored in a cool dark place.
Properly stored almond oil should last for up to a year.
Which Type Of Almond Oil Is Best?
Cold-pressed sweet almond oil is the better oil as the oil is extracted using a process whereby the oil is extracted through pressing.
When the oil is extracted using heat the good vitamins are damaged in the process.
Cold-pressed oil has much better preservation of the vitamins which is why cold-pressed sweet almond oil is more expensive than regular sweet almond oil.
Risks And Side Effects
If you are allergic to nuts you might want to be cautious before using sweet almond oil.
At the same time being allergic to nuts does not necessarily mean that you will have a reaction to the almond oil.
The oil will likely have been refined but if you have severe allergies then I would definitely take precaution with this one.
Complimentary Oils
Sweet almond oil is a carrier oil which basically means that it can be paired with other essential oils.
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils which cannot be put directly onto the skin because of their potency.
You can add Sweet almond oil to shea butter along with an essential oil and use it as a daily hair cream.
How To Make Your Own Hair Cream Using Sweet Almond Oil
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of Sweet almond oil
225g Shea butter
A few drops of an essential oil of your choosing
How To Make:
Add shea butter to a mixing bowl and whip it until soft and fluffy.
Add the sweet almond oil. I have started using 3 tablespoons but you can add what you think is best depending on your hair type.
Add the essential oil drops and whip the whole mixture together until it is well bound.
Turn it into a clean empty container and use it as and when needed.
Almond Oil Versus Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another popular oil that people tend to use in natural hair.
Honestly, there are benefits to using both oils but if you are stuck as to which one would be better for your hair then you need to understand your hair a little better and the benefits of each oil.
Sweet almond oil is great if you suffer from dry, dull-looking hair and have scalp problems.
Coconut oil is best for hair that struggles with retaining protein. If you don’t have problems with protein then you may find that coconut oil will not work as well for you.
I know the internet is flooded with reports of how good coconut oil is for natural hair but you need to go by your own results.
Oils will work very differently from person to person so go with what works and don’t use a certain oil just because you heard it works well.
Related post: Is coconut oil really good for curly hair?
Best Brands
Here are some great brands of Sweet almond oil that you can try out on your hair.
Other Uses
The great thing about sweet almond oil is that it can be used for other things outside of just hair usage.
You can also use it on your skin and nails too.
Did you know it can also be used to kill germs?
Final Thoughts On Using Sweet Almond Oil For Natural Hair
Sweet almond oil is a good choice of oil to try if you have never tried it before.
As you can see there are many benefits to using it. If you have been struggling with trying to grow and keep your hair healthy then I would definitely give this one a try.
Related posts:
The best oils for natural hair growth
12 oils that are perfect for low porosity hair
Is rose water really good for natural hair?
