April 2025
4 min read
Skin, Emotion, and Sweet Almond Oil
Our skin, with a surface area of around two square meters and a weight ranging between 3 and 10 kilograms in adults, is the largest organ of the human body. Long before we can make sense of what we see and hear, it serves as our first guide to the world. Thanks to the nerve endings within it that sense pain, touch, pressure, and temperature, our relationship with our surroundings begins through the skin.
As our awareness develops, it may seem like we rely more on our other senses, yet we still find ourselves instinctively reaching out in the dark, or interpreting a touch in moments of emotional uncertainty. Our skin continues to help us navigate the world in ways we might not always consciously notice.
It’s also the only organ that visually represents us so distinctly when we look in the mirror. For those familiar with artistic attempts to capture the sensation of touch, the 2013 film Blue Is the Warmest Color (La Vie d’Adèle) by Abdellatif Kechiche may come to mind — a powerful work that vividly conveys the impact of touch and physical connection.
Beyond its sensory role, our skin acts as a barrier, shielding us from harmful external elements, including the sun's damaging rays. In doing so, it inevitably bears the marks of time. As we grow older, our interest in the health and appearance of our skin increases, sometimes for aesthetic reasons, sometimes for health. When our skin feels good, so do we.
And when we're in good spirits, we notice beauty more easily — in our surroundings, in art, in poetry. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the almond tree has found a place among these natural wonders.
The almond tree (Prunus amygdalus dulcis), a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), is a valuable deciduous tree that typically grows between 4 to 10 meters tall. Native to the Middle East and South Asia, almonds thrive in temperate climates, with cultivation especially common in the Mediterranean, California, and Iran. The tree's delicate white and pale pink blossoms herald the arrival of spring, and its fruit features a hard, cracked outer shell protecting the edible almond kernel inside. Both sweet and bitter varieties exist.
Due to its highly nutritious seeds, the almond tree holds significant economic and cultural importance. Sweet almonds, rich in vitamin E, healthy fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants, are widely used in both culinary and cosmetic applications. The oil extracted from these sweet almonds is particularly valued for its moisturizing and soothing effects in skincare.
Given its beneficial qualities, it’s no surprise that the almond has secured a prominent place in global trade. The United States leads almond production, accounting for 77% of the world’s supply and generating $3.4 billion in exports. Spain and Australia follow, while Turkey ranks fifth, contributing about 2%.
Sweet almond oil has a long history of use in both traditional medicine and modern cosmetics, particularly in haircare products. In this article, we wanted to focus specifically on its effects on skin health.
A 2015 study (1) involving 5,067 participants across 13 European countries examined the link between dermatological conditions and mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The differences between those with skin disorders and healthy individuals were statistically significant. Among patients with skin conditions, rates of clinical depression were 10.1% (compared to 4.3% in the control group), anxiety disorders 17.2% (vs. 11.1%), and suicidal ideation 12.7% (vs. 8.3%). These findings suggest a tangible connection between skin health and emotional well-being. Considering predictions that by 2030, depression will become the world’s second most common health condition (2), these insights offer valuable guidance for future healthcare strategies in Europe.
The beneficial effects of cold-pressed sweet almond oil on skin have been recognized for years and continue to be a subject of research (3). In 1983, the Washington-based Cosmetic Ingredient Review, established in 1976 to evaluate cosmetic ingredients, published its first report on almond oil. It concluded that the use of almond oil in cosmetic products posed no safety concerns.
Since then, various studies have continued to explore the positive effects of almond oil on the skin. In a study conducted at Hamdard University in New Delhi (4), researchers discovered that almond oil had photo-protective properties when applied to the skin of mice.
Another 2017 study (5) examined the effects of sweet almond oil on stretch marks in pregnant women aged 20 to 35 . The results indicated that creams containing sweet almond oil could help prevent or reduce stretch marks in the abdominal area. Interestingly, the effectiveness of the treatment did not appear to vary with the age of the participants.
Disclaimer: The information we share about botanical products is derived from scientific studies examining their biochemical effects and is not intended as medical advice for the treatment of any condition. The findings of these studies do not provide guidance on how these botanical products should be used. Please remember that the most reliable way to safeguard your health is to consult health professionals who follow in the footsteps of Hippocrates.
References
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Dalgard, F. J., Gieler, U., Tomas-Aragones, L., Lien, L., Poot, F., Jemec, G. B. E., Misery, L., Szabo, C., Linder, D., Sampogna, F., Evers, A. W. M., Halvorsen, J. A., Balieva, F., Szepietowski, J., & Romanov, D. (2015). The psychological burden of skin diseases: A cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European countries. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 135(4), 984–991.
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Mathers, C. D., & Loncar, D. (2006). Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLOS Medicine, 3(11), e442.
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Burnett, C. L., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Cohen, D. E., Klaassen, C. D., Rettie, A. E., Ross, D., Slaga, T. J., Snyder, P. W., Tilton, S., Fiume, M., & Heldreth, B. (2023). Safety assessment of Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3_suppl), 93S–95S.
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Sultana, Y., Kohli, K., Athar, M., Khar, R. K., & Aqil, M. (2007). Effect of pre-treatment of almond oil on ultraviolet B-induced cutaneous photoaging in mice. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 6(1), 14–19.
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Hajhashemi, M., Rafieian, M., Rouhi Boroujeni, H. A., Miraj, S., Memarian, S., Keivani, A., & Haghollahi, F. (2018). The effect of Aloe vera gel and sweet almond oil on striae gravidarum in nulliparous women. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 31(13), 1703–1708.