Wound healing
In 2020, Borzou et al. conducted a single-blind randomized clinical trial to ascertain the impact of topical almond oil in preventing pressure injuries. Data collection occurred over 8 months in a hospital setting, with 108 patients randomly assigned to receive almond oil, placebo (liquid paraffin), or the control (standard of care). The researchers found that topically applied almond oil was linked to a lower incidence of pressure injuries, and they arose later in the study as compared with those injuries in the groups receiving paraffin or standard of care. Pressure injury incidence was 5.6% in the almond oil group, 13.9% in the placebo group, and 25.1% in the control group.8
That same year, Caglar et al. completed a randomized controlled trial in 90 preterm infants to assess the effects of sunflower seed oil and almond oil on the stratum corneum. Infants were randomly selected for treatment with either oil or control. A nurse researcher applied oils to the whole body except for the head and face four times daily for 5 days. Investigators determined that stratum corneum hydration was better in the oil groups as compared with control, with no difference found between sunflower seed and almond oils.9
Eczema, hand dermatitis, and striae
In 2018, Simon et al. performed a randomized, double-blind study to determine the short- and long-term effects of two emollients on pruritus and skin restoration in xerotic eczema. The emollients contained lactic acid and refined almond oil, with one also including polidocanol. Both emollients were effective in reducing the severity of itching, with skin moisture and lipid content found to have risen after the initial administration and yielding steady improvement over 2 weeks.10
Earlier that year, Zeichner et al. found that the use of an OTC sweet almond oil, rich in fatty acids and a standard-bearing treatment for eczema and psoriasis for centuries, was effective in treating hand dermatitis. Specifically, the moisturizer, which contained 7% sweet almond oil and 2% colloidal oatmeal, was identified as safe and effective in resolving moderate to severe hand dermatitis.11
Some studies have also shown almond oil to be effective against striae gravidarum. Hajhashemi et al. conducted a double-blind clinical trial in 160 nulliparous women to compare the effects of aloe vera gel and sweet almond oil on striae gravidarum in 2018. Volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three case groups (Aloe vera, sweet almond oil, or base cream) who received topical treatment on the abdomen, or the fourth group, which received no treatment. Results showed that both treatment creams were effective in decreasing erythema and the pruritus associated with striae as well as in preventing their expansion.12 Previously, Tashan and Kafkasli showed in a nonrandomized study that massage with bitter almond oil may diminish the visibility of present striae gravidarum and prevent the emergence of new striae.13
Conclusion
Almonds and almond oil have been used as food and in traditional medical practices dating back several centuries. In the last decade, intriguing results have emerged regarding the effects of almond consumption or topical almond oil administration on skin health. While much more research is necessary, the recent data seem to support the traditional uses of this tree seed for dermatologic purposes.
Dr. Baumann is a private practice dermatologist, researcher, author, and entrepreneur in Miami. She founded the division of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami in 1997. The third edition of her bestselling textbook, “Cosmetic Dermatology” (New York: McGraw Hill), was published in 2022. Dr. Baumann has received funding for advisory boards and/or clinical research trials from Allergan, Galderma, Johnson & Johnson, and Burt’s Bees. She is the CEO of Skin Type Solutions, a SaaS company used to generate skin care routines in office and as an e-commerce solution. Write to her at dermnews@mdedge.com.
References
1. Ahmad Z. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 Feb;16(1):10-2.
2. Li JN et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Sep;20(9):2975-80.
3. Rybak I et al. Nutrients. 2021 Feb 27;13(3):785.
4. Foolad N et al. Phytother Res. 2019 Dec;33(12):3212-7.
5. Lin TK et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70.
6. Blaak J, Staib P. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022 Feb;44(1):1-9.
7. Sanju N et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Oct;21(10):4433-46.
8. Borzou SR et al. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2020 Jul/Aug;47(4):336-42.
9. Caglar S et al. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2020 Aug;33(8):1-6.
10. Simon D et al. Dermatol Ther. 2018 Nov;31(6):e12692.
11. Zeichner JA at al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Jan 1;17(1):78-82.
12. Hajhashemi M et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Jul;31(13):1703-8.
13. Timur Tashan S and Kafkasli A. J Clin Nurs. 2012 Jun;21(11-12):1570-6.