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If you are a reader of this blog, you already know that your beard is the best part of you. It’s what makes you stand out from all the other guys trying to look good with their clean-shaven faces. And if you’re like us, then you take care of that precious facial hair by using beard oil and balm to keep it healthy and looking great.
But how do you know which product is right for you?
That’s where this blog post comes in!
In this article, we’ll talk about almond oil because it has many benefits for your skin and some really awesome properties when it comes to growing thicker facial hair. You’ll learn how almond oil can reduce dryness, give strength to brittle hairs, and moisturize skin.
On the other hand, you might have heard that almond oil is a DHT blocker that stops beard growth. And if you don’t know what that is, it’s a hormone that men produce that’s responsible for hair growth.
So then the question remains… Is almond oil good or bad for your beard?
Let’s find out!!!
Table of Contents
What is almond oil?
Almond oil, aka sweet almond oil, is a plant-based oil that comes from the kernels of almonds. It’s very similar to vegetable oil, and can be used for nearly anything! You can use it for your hair, skin, and even as a cooking oil.
Unrefined almond oil is extracted with the cold-pressed method, meaning the temperature never goes above 107 degrees Fahrenheit and no chemical solvents are used. It’s typically lighter in color and has a much milder (and more natural) taste.
Refined almond oil goes through the same cold-pressing process, but the temperature is increased slightly to deactivate enzymes which can affect the final product. The color will be darker, and it may have a hint of bitterness.
As mentioned earlier, almond oil is a great moisturizer. It’s made up of nearly 68% oleic acid, which protects your facial hair from being dehydrated (and losing its natural shine).
It’s packed with antioxidants such as vitamin E, which help to repair split-ends and reduce the dryness that comes with growing a beard. And for guys who are battling the itchiness of early beard growth, it is especially helpful because it’s so soothing.
It also has light viscosity and is non-comedogenic, so it’s very easy to work through your beard. Plus, you’ll avoid that greasy feeling that comes with heavy oils such as castor oil (which is great but is also super thick).
So, let’s see the benefits of almond oil for your beard and skin!
Benefits of Almond oil for beards
Good Moisturizer
The first benefit of almond oil for facial hair is that it’s great at moisturizing dry and brittle hair. It contains Vitamin E, which penetrates deep into the layers of your hair follicles to reduce dryness. Additionally, it gets absorbed quickly, so you won’t have to worry about any greasiness or stickiness.
Reduces Inflammation and beard itch
Many guys who are just beginning to grow a beard experience this weird itchiness that can become really uncomfortable. Fortunately, almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce the irritation and discomfort of itching. It also helps to detoxify your skin by removing dead cells, which can clog your pores and cause acne.
Fights Beard Dandruff
Almond oil helps fight beard dandruff which is caused by a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. While you can’t completely get rid of the problem, applying almond oil onto your beard hair and skin does help because it’s anti-fungal and will reduce its activity.
Reduce Split Ends
Vitamins E and A work together to help reduce split ends that start happening as a result of dryness. Since it’s a natural source of both of these vitamins, almond oil helps your hair strands retain moisture so they don’t break apart – which is great news for anyone growing a beard!
Keeping your beard hair moisturized is really important for a bunch of reasons, whether you’re using almond oil or not. The key is finding something that actually works for your face/beard; the best way to do that is by testing different oils.
Nourishes your beard
Almond oil is packed full of vitamin E, which works wonders for your skin and hair. You probably hear this term thrown around a lot, but applying almond oil really helps to seal in moisture. It hydrates both your skin and facial hair and keeps them healthy.
Almond oil also contains omega-6 fatty acids that are easily absorbed into the roots of your hair. Omega 6 fatty acids will take care of any dryness or irritation that may occur in the early stages and soften your beard.
Thin Viscosity & Non-comedogenic
You’ll love almond oil if you are looking for a lightweight oil that won’t leave your beard hair feeling heavy or clog your pores. It absorbs into the root of your facial hair and skin quickly and doesn’t cause any greasiness or stickiness.
Sweet almond oil and beard growth
While sweet almond oil is beneficial for your beard by reducing the dryness and itchiness because of vitamin E, there is no proof that it encourages beard growth.
It is common amongst beard product brands to claim that their products promote beard growth and/or make your beard grow faster. You have probably come across the term “beard growth oil” or “best beard oil for beard growth” many times. The truth is, there is no scientific evidence to prove that sweet almond oil ingredients will produce more facial hair.
But does almond oil block DHT?
As we mentioned in our introduction section, some people believe that sweet almond oil can block DHT. DHT is the primary male hormone responsible for the growth of body hair. And there is a connection between DHT and baldness. For guys with the baldness gene, DHT promotes body and beard growth while suppressing the growth of scalp hair follicles by blocking them from receiving nutrition and retards their ability to grow.
So, if you block DHT, your beard growth will be suppressed.
While no specific studies show proof of this relationship, there are some possible areas where almond oil can act as a DHT blocker.
Possible ways in which almond oil blocks DHT
Almond oil is rich in omega-6 linoleic acid. This is an important fatty acid that has been demonstrated to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can help prevent inflammation and free radical damage in the body and promote a healthy hormonal balance, which is needed for optimal facial hair growth.
At the same time, studies show a relationship between omega 6 linoleic acid and inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.
So if you are using sweet almond oil to promote facial hair growth, you should be aware that it actually reduces the amount of DHT in your system, which could slow it down.
How to apply sweet almond oil
You can use sweet almond oil directly on your skin or use it to make DIY natural beard oil.
If you use it directly, it’s best to clean your skin or beard by washing them with a beard wash and water.
Then apply enough sweet almond oil onto your palms (3 to 5 drops) and rub them together to warm up the oil.
The best time of the day to apply beard oil is right after you get out of the shower, as your pores are open, and your skin and facial hair will easily absorb the nutrients of almond oil.
Once the almond oil is evenly distributed across both hands, gently massage it onto your beard and skin, starting from your neck and working your way up to the chin and mustache. Then you can use a beard comb to style your beard as you like.
If you want to make your own DIY beard oil, you should use almond oil as one of the carrier oils. You can use it by itself or mix it with other carrier oils like jojoba oil. You will also need a few drops of your favorite essential oils and some dark glass dropper bottles. To avoid irritation from the essential oils, you should never put more than 1/3 of the carrier oil quantity. For example, if you use 100ml of carrier oils, you should mix 30ml of essential oils in it. After you have gathered all the ingredients, just put the oils into the dropper bottles, shake them, and you are good to go.
Almond Oil Side effects
While almond oil is generally considered safe, it can cause side effects for some people.
The most common side effect has to do with nuts allergies. If you have a nut allergy, using sweet almond oil or any kind of product that contains almonds can cause an allergic reaction. We advise you to always perform a patch test on a small area of your neck before using any kind of oil.
FAQ
No, there is no scientific evidence that suggests that sweet almond oil can grow your beard. It has many benefits for facial hair and skin, but it will not directly stimulate beard growth.
There is not really an answer to that question. Coconut oil is good for the skin and beard, and almond has many benefits too. Depending on your personal needs, you might want to use either one of them.
Yes, you can apply almond oil to your face before going to sleep. It will be absorbed by the skin, and if you do not wash it off in the morning, it can also prolong its benefits throughout the day.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to make your beard soft and more manageable, almond oil is just the thing. Almond oil is made up of Vitamin E and proteins that are gentle but effective on hair because they penetrate deeply enough into the skin to provide moisture without weighing down or clogging pores. With its natural scent and ability to condition even coarse hairs, this all-natural product will become one of your go-to grooming essentials!
What’s been your experience with almond oil? Have you tried any other oils? Let us know in the comments section below!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
