The oils you stock in your pantry fill a variety of cooking needs. Whether you are sautéing onions in olive oil or adding almond oil to cookies, oil is an indispensable kitchen staple. Olive and nut oils are versatile and neutral, making them a common choice for everyday use. However, you use oil in your kitchen, you likely understand its importance and feel its absence when you run out.

What you may not realize are the amazing health benefits some of these oils have. Almond oil, in particular, packs a collection of health benefits when incorporated into your diet and beauty routine. If you have yet to try almond oil, there are quite a few reasons to consider switching.

What Is Almond Oil?

As its name suggests, almond oil is extracted from almond nuts. The characteristics of an almond oil vary depending on the way it is extracted, processed and the type of almonds used.

Almond Oil Extraction

There are two common methods used to make almond oil: chemical extraction or expeller pressed. Though chemical extraction produces the highest oil yield, it does so at the sacrifice of the almond oil’s taste, quality, and nutrients. Expeller-pressed methods produce higher quality products because they allow the oils to maintain their physical and chemical properties better. As a consumer, choosing an expeller-pressed oil can help ensure you are making the most of the nutritional and quality benefits available.

Making an expeller-pressed almond oil involves the following steps:

1. In cast-iron kettles, almonds are thoroughly ground and roasted to the desired temperature.
2. The almonds are then fed through the expeller and lightly filtered, making a warm paste.
3. The paste is then placed in a press to extract the oil.
4. The resulting oil is filtered and poured into containers.
5. The leftover nut cake is sold and used by bakers or turned into cattle feed, reducing waste.

Almond Oil Processing

After extraction, some almond oils undergo additional processing to make them “refined.” These steps utilize high temperatures, high pressures, chemicals and deodorization measures to give the almond oil several advantages, including the following:

• The oil is tasteless.
• The oil has a higher smoke point than unrefined oils.
• The oil maintains its nutrient content.

Unrefined oils, like roasted almond oil, do not undergo these processing steps. As a result, they maintain lower smoke points and more full-bodied flavors. Both refined and unrefined almond oil can be beneficial for health applications depending on the taste and smoke point you need.

Sweet vs. Bitter Almond Oil

It is important to note that almond oils made for consumption are considered sweet almond oils. A type of oil known as bitter almond oil can be made from a different type of almond. Bitter almond oil is sometimes used in soap and massage therapy, but it has toxic properties when ingested. All of the almond oil benefits we describe are based on sweet almond oil. 

Health Benefits of Almond Oil

Almond oil offers health benefits, both internally with a healthy diet and externally with a topical beauty routine. Whether you cook with almond oil or use it on your hair and skin, here are some the benefits you may see:

1. Increased Heart Health 

Your heart works hard to spread oxygen and nutrients throughout your body via your bloodstream. The condition of your heart directly impacts how efficiently your body functions, which makes heart health a high-stakes topic. Fortunately, consuming almond oil has been linked to increased heart health.