Hair benefits of sweet almond oil?

Benefit No. 1: Sweet almond oil to nourish and protect hair.

Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic and linoleic acids, sweet almond oil is primarily valued for reinforcing the hydrolipidic film on the hair surface and partially filling in cuticle irregularities. The lipidic nature of sweet almond oil indeed suggests it may have a strong affinity for hair, enabling it to smooth the cuticle scales and to reduce the friction coefficient between fibers, two parameters closely linked to split ends, frizz, and loss of shine.

Sweet almond oil could thus have a conditioning effect.

To date, no clinical study has examined the effects of sweet almond oil on hair—whether on its mechanical strength, shine, or hydration. The proposed hypotheses are based on its biochemical composition, extrapolations from well-known general mechanisms of fatty acid–rich vegetable oils, and empirical observations. Indeed, sweet almond oil can enhance hair appearance and softness. These effects, however, remain temporary and depend on hair porosity, its type (fine, tightly coiled, wavy, curly, straight, etc.) and the formulation (pure sweet almond oil or combined with other film-forming agents).

If you wish to applysweet almond oil pure to your hair, use it sparingly. Although relatively lightweight, it remains a greasy‐textured oil. A few drops are more than enough.

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Benefit No. 2: Could sweet almond oil accelerate hair growth?

Sweet almond oil is sometimes credited with the ability to stimulate hair growth or slow hair loss. However,No clinical trial in humanshas demonstrated this effect to date. Only a study conducted in mice suggests that certain components of the oil extracted fromPrunus mira, an almond variety, may have a positive impact on the hair growth cycle.

In this study, 110 mice were divided into different groups, including a control group, a minoxidil group as a positive control, and three groups treated with various dilutions of almond oil. After shaving the hair, the solutions were applied daily for 21 days. The researchers observed faster hair growth in the mice receiving almond oil, almost comparable to that seen with minoxidil.

Effets de l'huile d'amande sur la pousse des poils de souris. — Effects of almond oil on hair growth in mice.
Source: WANG Z. et al. Study of the chemical constituents of nut oil from Prunus mira Koehne and the mechanism of hair growth promotion. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020).

Almond oil would accelerate the transition of hair follicles into the anagen phase, i.e., the growth phase. This stimulation is associated with an increased expression of the Wnt10b gene, as well as the proteins β-catenin and GSK3β, key players in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway known to regulate hair follicle regeneration. However, while these results are promising, they remain limited to an animal model.

Benefit No. 3: Sweet almond oil to protect hair from oxidative stress?

Sweet almond oil is naturally rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E and phytosterols, which could help limit the effects of oxidative stress on the hair fiber and scalp. Research has shown that oxidative stress can be harmful to hair and scalp health by altering keratin, encouraging the appearance of white hairs and accelerating the hair loss. Free radicals can also weaken the fiber by altering its mechanical properties, leading to a loss of shine, more brittle hair strands, and even split ends. Regular application of an antioxidant-rich oil, such as sweet almond oil, could help to protect hair and scalp from free radicals.

No study has demonstrated that sweet almond oil slows the onset of gray hair or hair loss. It is known only that it contains antioxidants and that the role of oxidative stress in hair fiber bleaching and shedding is well established. Thus, the evidence remains indirect.

Benefit No. 4: Sweet almond oil may soothe the scalp.

Sweet almond oil is often described as a plant-derived oil with soothing properties that can improve scalp comfort. Thanks to its ability to form a protective film on the surface, it helps limit water loss and support the integrity of the skin barrier, which can reduce sensations of tightness or irritation, especially on dry scalps.

In addition, it contains oleic acid and linoleic acid, two fatty acids recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects. Oleic acid stimulates the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) while reducing levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Linoleic acid, in turn, inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 and ‑2 (COX-1 and COX-2), enzymes involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

A clinical study evaluated the effect of topically applied sweet almond oil on quality of life in 42 patients suffering from uremic pruritus due to chronic renal failure, characterized by intense itching. Participants were instructed to apply 7 to 10 mL of sweet almond oil to the pruritic areas once daily for two weeks.

The results showed a significant decrease in pruritus scores in the intervention group from 50.3 to 31.7 over two weeks, while no improvement was observed in the control group. These findings suggest that sweet almond oil may help alleviate itching, possibly at the scalp level and, by extension, aid in reducing irritations more generally.