I used to think that apricots were only good for snacking, but when I started researching natural beauty ingredients I learned that this little fruit has much more to offer. With a little work apricot seeds can be made into an oil with incredible benefits for the skin and hair. Apricot Seed Oil is lightweight, has a beautiful fragrance, and is rich in nutrients that your body just loves. I never hesitate when I find a space for it in my products. Here’s why:
4 Reasons Why I Love Apricot Seed Oil
1. It’s Full of the “Good Stuff:” Just like its fruit, apricot seed oil is packed with nutrition. Bite into an apricot and you’ll get ⅔ of your daily requirement of Vitamin A. Apply apricot oil to your skin and you’ll get the same level of nutrition. Vitamin A encourages collagen growth, reducing wrinkles and helping the skin appear firmer, smoother, and younger. Fatty acids have the same effect, and guess what: apricot oil is full of them. Throw in the wrinkle and dark-spot fighting powers of Vitamin E and you end up with an oil that supports your skin with plenty of nutrition.
2. It Moisturizes Like a Dream: I love the way my skin feels after applying apricot oil. It soaks in quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and supple. No wonder it’s such a popular oil for massage! It’s lightweight enough to use on the face, but offers enough moisturizing power to help keep problem areas like elbows, knees, and feet happy and healthy. If you like, you can use apricot seed oil on its own, but it also works well as a carrier oil in DIY lotions and creams.
3. It’s Safe for Many Skin Types: Like many of my favorite oils, apricot seed oil is extremely gentle. This makes it a safe choice for a variety of skin types. While you should always be cautious when trying a new product if your skin is prone to reactions, apricot oil is generally well tolerated by sensitive complexions as well as people who are prone to acne. It’s also generally safe to use on infants and the elderly.
4. It Supports Healthy Hair: Apricot Seed Oil is just as beneficial for your hair as it is your skin. Massage a small amount of apricot seed oil into your tresses to lock in moisture and provide grease-free shine. With regular use you’ll see your hair becoming softer and easier to manage. Apply a little more to your scalp to relieve dryness and encourage hair growth (thank you, vitamin E).
Please Note: While I’m a big supporter of using apricot seed oil externally, I haven’t done enough research to recommend taking this oil by mouth. Talk with your doctor if you’re curious about internal use. If you have an apricot allergy, I don’t recommend using this oil in any way.
Apricot oil is full of amazing benefits, and it’s one of my go-to ingredients when I formulate recipes. The apricot is a little fruit with a lot to give: I hope you’ll consider giving it a chance!
Have you used apricot oil to support your skin and hair? What were the results? Let us know in the comments below.