Sweet Almond Oil
AT THE HEART...
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The name “Almond” is believed to have the same etymology as the word “Amygdala,” the part of the brain that controls the ability to make decisions, develop memories, and process emotions; the Almond is thus believed to enhance these functions
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Almond Oil has two variants: Bitter Almond Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. The Sweet variety is the carrier oil used for cosmetic purposes, as the Bitter variety produces a harmful component when processed.
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Sweet Almond Oil can help heal superficial skin burns, boost collagen production, keeps skin hydrated and supple, and protects it against potential damage caused by UV radiation.
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Sweet Almond Oil can support the growth of thick, soft, healthy hair.
BENEFITS OF SWEET ALMOND OIL
The main chemical constituents of Sweet Almond Carrier Oil are: Oleic Acids (Omega 9), Linoleic Acids (Omega 6), Stearic Acid, and Palmitic Acid.
OLEIC ACIDS (OMEGA 9) are known to:
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Maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair
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Stimulate the growth of thicker, longer, and stronger hair
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Reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines
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Eliminate dandruff and thereby support hair growth
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Boost immunity
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Exhibit antioxidant properties
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Prevent joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain
LINOLEIC ACIDS (OMEGA 6) are known to:
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Moisturize hair and promote its growth
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Facilitate wound healing
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Be an effective emulsifier in the formulation of soaps and quick-drying oils
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Exhibit anti-inflammatory properties
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Soothe acne and reduce chances of future outbreaks
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Promote moisture retention in skin and hair
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Make oils feel thinner in consistency when used in an oil blend, thus being beneficial for use on acne-prone skin
STEARIC ACID is known to:
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Have cleansing properties that purge dirt, sweat, and excess sebum from hair and skin
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Be an ideal emulsifying agent that binds water and oil
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Help products remain potent when stored for long periods of time
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Condition and protect hair from damage without diminishing luster or making it feel heavy
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Have exceptional cleansing properties
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Soften skin
PALMITIC ACID is known to:
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Have emollient properties
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Soften hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue
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Be the most common saturated fatty acid
PALMITOLEIC ACID is known to:
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Delay the appearance of premature aging
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Moisturize and tighten the skin
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Promote the growth of shiny hair
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Enhance the brightness of the complexion
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Boost the growth of healthy-looking nails
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Enhance skin elasticity to prevent symptoms of premature aging, such as wrinkles
As illustrated, Sweet Almond Carrier Oil is reputed to have many therapeutic properties. The following highlights its many benefits and the kinds of activity it is believed to show:
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COSMETIC: Antioxidant, Tonic, Nutritive, Rejuvenating, Emollient, Anti-Inflammatory.
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MEDICINAL: Antioxidant, Tonic, Analgesic, Aphrodisiac, Antispasmodic, Nutritive, Sedative, Anti-Inflammatory.
CULTIVATING AND HARVESTING QUALITY SWEET ALMOND OIL
It is believed that Almonds were among the earliest fruit to be domesticated, due to their ability to grow from seeds, thus being propagated and being able to thrive without the aid of plant cuttings or grafting. Alternatively, Almonds may be grown on a Peach rootstock in the first 10-12 years of being cultivated.
Native to the region that stretches from the west of Pakistan across Syria, Israel, and Turkey, Almond trees are small and deciduous, growing up to a height of 10 meters. Being deeply rooted, they thrive when planted in sandy loam types of soils that are deep, fertile, and well drained. They cannot withstand stagnant water, soils with high water tables, or water-logged soils.
For ideal growth, Almond trees prefer the warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters characteristic of Mediterranean climates with temperatures ranging between 15 and 30 °C (59 and 86 °F). Despite being tolerant of droughts, Almond trees should be irrigated. Due to their requirement of high levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, they will grow best in organic fertilizer and with the application of Nitrogen. Quality Almonds are produced by trees in soil with a pH between 7.0-8.5.
The Almond is not a true nut; rather, it is a drupe, which is a fleshy, thin-skinned fruit with a “stone” at its center that contains the seed. Almonds have a dry, fuzzy outer layer called the Hull. This contains a Stone, also referred to as a Pit or a Shell, which is covered in miniscule holes that make it appear to be pockmarked. The stone encloses the Seed, also called the Kernel, which has a corrugated Seed Coat.
While the Almond tree is still young, its twigs are initially green, growing to be purplish in color wherever sunlight touches it. In the second year, the twigs turn grey in color. Almond flowers, which range in color from white to pale pink and which bloom before the pointed, ovate-lanceolate, serrated leaves appear in Spring, have 5 petals that develop singly or in pairs. In the third year after being planted, Almond trees begin to bear Almond fruits. Full bearing potential begins 5 or 6 years after planting.
Between late winter and early spring, Almond blooms develop and are ready for pollination with the help of bees. In the spring, the fertilized flowers slowly mature into drupes containing Almonds in their hulls. The outer layer of the drupes become tough and leathery in texture, resembling green peaches. In the summer, Almond hulls begin to split open, exposing the Almond shells inside and allowing them to dry and gain weight as they mature. Typically, stones contain one seed, though sometimes there might be two.
Between mid-summer to autumn, the hulls themselves gradually dry, harden, and split even wider. At this stage in development, the stones have dried and turned brown. The connection between the fruit’s stem and the tree begins to weaken, and harvest season begins. Farmers use mechanical tree shakers to shake the Almonds out of their trees and onto the ground. The Almonds are left on the orchard ground for another 8 to 10 days, during which time the kernels dry in their stones. After 10 days, they are mechanically swept up to be collected.
HOW IS SWEET ALMOND OIL EXTRACTED?
The optimal Almond Carrier Oil production process involves Drying, which is vital for quality oil, hence, Almonds must be dried to reduce their humidity content. This contributes to the longer shelf life of the finished product by reducing the oil’s risk of developing fungal growth caused by wet fruit. Drying is done by either exposing Almonds to the sun for up to 3 days or by exposing them to hot air ventilation, sometimes in an oven.
Still in their shells, the Almonds are transported onto rollers where their hulls, stones, and any debris are removed in a process called Hulling, Shelling, or Cracking. Shells and hulls are not discarded, rather they are used for livestock bedding and to feed dairy cattle, respectively.
Finally, the extraction process begins. Sweet Almond Carrier Oil is derived from the ripe seeds/kernels of Almond fruits by cold pressing, which preserves the oil’s quality by protecting it from heat. Sometimes the extraction process requires a previous pulverization of the seeds. Cold pressing involves placing Almonds between two rotating metal plates to apply mechanical pressure that will cause them to break and release their oils. The resultant oil is darker than Almond oil that undergoes refinement. Cold pressed Sweet Almond Carrier Oil also has a higher content of beneficial constituents such as monounsaturated fats as well as valuable properties like antimicrobial activity.