Apricot oil for face care: benefits and recipes

Apricot oil is an environmentally friendly product rich in vitamins and microelements. The tool has many useful properties, due to which it is actively used in home cosmetology and traditional medicine. Most often, apricot oil is used in facial care, as it is suitable for any skin type. For each specific case, there are certain methods of application, having familiarized yourself with which, you can use the tool yourself.

What is apricot oil

Apricot oil is a product obtained from the seeds of the fruit of the same name. The emulsion is extracted using the cold pressing method, due to which all the beneficial properties of the initial raw materials are preserved in the product. The oil is basic, which means it can be used even in its pure form. The product has a light yellow tint and a pleasant aroma.

Store the product in a dark glass bottle. The room must be cool. It is not recommended to store the product for longer than a year.

Interestingly, Chinese doctors have long used apricot oil as an anti-inflammatory agent. Through its medicinal use, the product has been found to give the skin a radiant and healthy appearance.

Composition

Apricot oil contains the following main components:

• Vitamin A. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, which is especially important for problem skin.
• Vitamin C. Helps maintain the elasticity and youthfulness of the epidermis. Restores the skin's natural protective barrier.
• Vitamins of group B. Nourish and intensively smooth the skin. Effectively eliminates the first wrinkles and makes deep ones less noticeable. In addition, B vitamins protect the epidermis from aggressive environmental influences.
• Vitamin F. Helps accelerate tissue regeneration, slows down the process of aging and withering of the skin, normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands, prevents the expansion of pores and the appearance of acne.
• organic acids. Lenolic, palmitic and stearic acids are involved in skin rejuvenation processes.
• Vitamin E. It has a powerful antioxidant property, and also helps to increase the production of elastin, which is responsible for the smoothness of the skin.
• Potassium. If there is enough of this element in the skin cells, the epidermis looks moisturized, and fine wrinkles are eliminated.
• Magnesium. It has a good effect on the health of blood vessels, restores blood circulation and enhances cell nutrition.

How to choose a quality product

When choosing apricot oil, pay attention to the following criteria:

• The natural remedy has a subtle nutty aroma. The latter may resemble the smell of almonds. An excessively strong aroma is a clear sign of a fake oil.

• The consistency of the oil is liquid and slightly viscous. The product is quickly absorbed into the skin. If the store does not have the opportunity to test the product, be sure to do it at home. You shouldn't use a fake.
• Pay attention to the presence of a quality certificate from the manufacturer. You have the right to ask the seller for this document.

Benefits of apricot oil for skin

Apricot emulsion is ideal for skin that suffers from a lack of vitamins and moisture. The tool has the following properties useful for the epidermis:

• Nourishes, softens and moisturizes the skin, thanks to which it serves as an excellent prevention of dryness and flaking of the epidermis.
• Accelerates the exfoliation of dead cells, due to which the skin is renewed faster.
• Helps stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin. These substances are proteins responsible for the turgor and smoothness of the epidermis.
• Rejuvenates the skin and smoothes fine wrinkles.
• Helps tone the epidermis.
• Evens out the complexion.
• Eliminates inflammatory processes on the skin. This property is most in demand for problematic and sensitive epidermis.
• Normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands. In the case of dry skin, the oil increases the productivity of the latter. If the epidermis is oily, the product helps to eliminate excess fat from the surface of the epidermis.

How to use apricot oil for skin care

Apricot oil has found wide application in home cosmetology, namely in facial care. The tool does not leave greasy reflections, so it can be used not only in the compositions of masks, creams, scrubs and compresses, but also in its pure form. Depending on the problem of concern, the product is used in different ways.

Regardless of the chosen method of using the product, be sure to slightly warm the emulsion in a water bath before mixing the composition. The fact is that warm oil penetrates deeper into the cells of the epidermis.

Against acne

To combat acne, apricot oil is used as an active ingredient in homemade masks. The most effective recipes of the latter are as follows:

• 13 drops of apricot emulsion, 7 strawberries, 13 g of Badyaga ointment, 1 vitamin C tablet. Berries can be fresh or frozen. In any case, the fruits must be crushed in a way convenient for you, and then the crushed tablet and other components should be added to the gruel. Before applying the mask, it is recommended to use any facial scrub. The fact is that the cleansed epidermis absorbs useful substances from the composition better. It is recommended to apply strawberry gruel with a sponge. The exposure time of the mask is 15 minutes. After the procedure, it is recommended to treat the existing inflammation with zinc ointment.

• 1,5 tsp apricot oil and green clay, 2-3 drops of tea tree ether. Clay must be mixed with warm water so that the mass acquires the consistency of thick yogurt. Then you need to add apricot oil and ether to the gruel. The duration of the procedure is one third of an hour. After the allotted time, the product should be washed off with water at room temperature and a moisturizer should be used.

• 1 tbsp apricot oil, 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix the ingredients and apply the resulting product on problem areas or on the entire skin of the face. After a third of an hour, wash off the composition and use a nourishing or moisturizing cream.

• 10 drops of apricot oil, 25 g of chickpea flour, a pinch of dry ground ginger root, warm green tea. The last thing you need to dilute the flour so that the finished mass has the consistency of sour cream. Next, you need to add the rest of the ingredients to the gruel. Apply the mask on the skin of the face and wait a quarter of an hour. After the prescribed time, wash with water with the addition of lemon juice.

Masks against acne are recommended to be done 1-2 times a week. The course is 20 sessions. The break should last 20-25 days.

Against wrinkles

Wrinkles, like acne, are usually treated with masks. The most effective formulations with the addition of apricot oil are:

• 17 drops of apricot oil, the yolk of one egg, the pulp of half an avocado, 15 g of low-fat white cheese. First of all, the cheese is ground with yolk and the pulp of an exotic fruit is added. The latter can be obtained using a fork or a blender. Apricot oil is added at the very end of cooking. The face is steamed with a hot towel for 3-5 minutes before applying the mask. The tool works for half an hour. At this time, it is recommended to relax and unwind.

• 1 tbsp apricot oil, 1/3 banana pulp. The ingredients are rubbed in a convenient way and applied to a clean face. After a quarter of an hour, the product is washed off, and the treated skin is lubricated with a moisturizer.

• 19 drops of apricot emulsion, 1 banana, 1 apricot, 10 g of blue clay. Fruit must be mashed with a blender or fork. Add the remaining ingredients to the resulting slurry. An important point: the skin must be steamed before the procedure. This can be done with a hot towel or a visit to the sauna / bath. The exposure time of the mask is 10 minutes.

Homemade anti-wrinkle masks can be used 2 times a week. The course is 25 procedures. The duration of the break is 2-3 weeks.

Against bruises under the eyes

Bruising under the eyes worries most girls, starting from a very young age. Unpleasant circles are formed due to insufficient sleep, chronic fatigue and other external and internal factors. There are several ways to deal with bruising under the eyes with apricot oil:

• Mask. For cooking you will need: 1 tbsp. apricot oil, a few drops of pink ether (it is allowed to take sandalwood). The components are mixed and applied to the skin around the eyes. After a third of an hour, the product is washed off. It is recommended to use the recipe twice a week on an ongoing basis.

• Pure use. Apricot oil is applied to the skin around the eyes and left for 35-40 minutes. After several treatments, the skin looks visibly smoother, small wrinkles disappear and the color of the epidermis becomes more uniform. Sessions are held 1-2 times a week. You don't need to take breaks.

Against dry skin

Dry skin brings many problems to its owners. In the cold season, this type of epidermis is prone to peeling. There are several methods for applying apricot emulsion for excessively dry skin:

• Mask. You will need: 25 drops of apricot oil, 1 whole carrot, 15 g of heavy cream. The root crop must be boiled, cut off the peel from it and chopped with a blender. Mix the vegetable gruel with the rest of the ingredients and enjoy the procedure. The exposure time of the mask is a third of an hour. After removing the remnants of the product, it is recommended to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in water with the addition of olive oil. The mask is used 1-2 times a week, breaks are not needed.

• Scrub. You will need: 1 tsp. apricot oil, natural liquid honey, milk and oatmeal. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and applied to the skin with massage movements. The latter is carried out within 5 minutes. A light and gentle scrub gently removes the effects of peeling from the surface of the skin - dead cells of the epidermis. It is recommended to use the recipe no more than once every 10 days.

• Application in its purest form. Just lubricate your face with apricot oil daily before going to bed. The layer must be very thin. Within a few weeks, the skin will peel noticeably less, and over time, it may even stop altogether.
• Cream. You will need: 15 ml of camphor alcohol, 20 g of dry chamomile flowers, 25 g of butter, 10 ml of glycerin, 10 ml of apricot oil. Prepare a strong decoction of chamomile: dry flowers pour 200 ml of boiling water. Combine the infusion with the rest of the ingredients. Butter must first be melted. The cream is great for dry and sensitive epidermis. You can use the product continuously.

Against pigmentation

Pigmentation often appears on the face. Formations arise in connection with the negative influence of the environment and the wrong way of life. There are several recipes for reducing the appearance of pigmentation based on apricot oil:

• 1 tbsp apricot oil, 2 drops of patchouli ether (you can take an emulsion of chamomile). Mix the ingredients. Lubricate the skin of the face with the resulting mass and wait a third of an hour. After the suggested time has elapsed, wash off the remnants of the product. Perform the procedure twice a week until the desired result is obtained. If pigmentation is strong, 30 sessions should be performed and interrupted for a month, and then resume care.

• 1 grapefruit, 1 tbsp. blue clay, 2 tbsp. apricot oil, 2 drops of geranium ether. Remove the pulp from the citrus and grind it with a fork or blender. Add clay and other ingredients to the watery slurry. Leave the resulting product on the skin of the face for half an hour. After the allotted time, wash off the mask and use a moisturizer. The procedure is recommended to be performed several times a week for two months. At the end of the specified period, you will notice that the skin has become lighter, and its color is more uniform. You can start a new course 30 days after the end of the previous one. It should be borne in mind that a grapefruit-based mask is not suitable for sensitive and dry skin.

How to use apricot oil for eyelashes and eyebrows

Thanks to apricot oil, you can restore eyebrows and eyelashes after numerous staining and extensions in a relatively short time. Fruit emulsion deeply nourishes and strengthens the hairs, making them stronger. There are several ways to use apricot oil to restore eyebrows and eyelashes:

• Masks:
  • Combine apricot emulsion with almond, castor oil or burdock oil in a ratio of 1:1. Apply the resulting product to the eyelashes and eyebrows. It is recommended to do this before going to bed, and wash off only in the morning. The tool helps to accelerate the growth of hairs. You can perform the procedure daily. Every month should be interrupted for a week. It should also be borne in mind that eyelashes are very sensitive to any external influence, so it is recommended to apply the product for the first time for 1-2 hours. On the eyebrows, on the contrary, you can safely leave the active composition overnight.
  • 1 tbsp apricot oil, 1 capsule "Aevit" (or 3 drops of liquid vitamins A and E), 1/2 tsp. aloe juice. Combine the components in a glass container. Lubricate the eyebrows and cilia with the resulting emulsion. Wash off after a few hours. It is recommended to use the recipe daily before going to bed. After two months of use, it is recommended to stop for 3 weeks. It should be noted that the remains of the prepared product can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 15 days.

• Compress. Heat apricot oil in a water bath, soak cotton pads with warm emulsion and put them on your eyes. After a third of an hour, remove the compress and remove the remnants of the product with a paper towel. The procedure increases the density of cilia and smoothes wrinkles around the eyes. Compresses are recommended to be done once every 1 days on an ongoing basis.

Using apricot oil for lip care

There are no sebaceous glands on the lips, so they are most susceptible to drying out and chapping. Any external influence (temperature changes, ultraviolet rays, the use of matte lipsticks) has an extremely negative effect on the health of the skin in a tender place. There are several ways to care for lips using apricot kernel oil:

• Application in its purest form. Apply apricot oil to your lips daily. You can do this from 1 to 5 times. If the product is quickly absorbed, then the epidermis is severely dehydrated. In this case, a second coat of the product must be applied.
• Mask. Combine 1 tbsp. apricot oil, fatty cottage cheese and natural flower honey. Be careful, this delicious delicacy will want to lick. Lubricate the skin of the lips. After a quarter of an hour, wash off the composition and apply apricot oil to the treated areas. The latter does not need to be washed off.

There is no need to take breaks in lip care using apricot oil.

Apricot oil for the treatment of the nose and throat

Apricot oil intensely nourishes the mucosa, restores intracellular metabolism, improves the protective functions of the body and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to these properties, the product is often used in the treatment of colds. When applying the oil, micro cracks heal faster, itching disappears and redness is eliminated. The tool also helps to constrict blood vessels and prevent dryness of the mucous membranes.

Interestingly, apricot oil can be used in combination with antibiotics and other pharmaceutical preparations.

To cure the throat and nose from a cold with apricot oil, you need to perform the following algorithm 2 times a day:

• In 0,5 liters of warm water, stir a teaspoon of salt, preferably sea salt. Rinse the nose with the solution several times to clear the sinuses. Rinse your throat with the same water.
• Combine 1 tbsp. apricot oil with 2 drops of lemon ether. Heat the composition in a water bath to 35–40^оC. Drop the resulting product into the nose in the amount of 4-5 drops. Already after the first day of use, you will feel noticeable improvements. The following recipes can also be used for instillation:
  • 1 tsp apricot oil, 4 drops of pine ether;
  • 1 tsp apricot oil, 3 drops of lavender ether and peach oil.

• Mix 2 tbsp. apricot oil and 0,5 water at room temperature (at least 20^оWITH). Gargle with the resulting solution for a minute. You can use other recipes for the compositions:
  • 2 tbsp apricot oil, 8 drops of rosemary ether;
  • 2 tbsp apricot oil, 4 drops of eucalyptus ether, 2 drops of lemon oil.

• Drip 5 drops of apricot oil into each nostril and lie down on your back, tilt your head back. The emulsion penetrates to the larynx and envelops it. It will not take long to lie down, about five minutes. Do not confuse the procedure with a simple instillation indicated in the second paragraph of the algorithm.

It is recommended to follow the proposed instructions within five days. During this time, the patient should feel better. If there are no significant changes, repeat the course in a week.

Contraindications to use

Apricot oil is a natural product and has only one contraindication - individual intolerance. In order to make sure that there is no allergy, do a simple sensitivity test: lubricate the crook of your elbow with the product. If after a day there is no irritation, feel free to use the oil.

As for internal use (for example, instillation), you should consult your doctor before practicing such treatment yourself. The doctor will help identify contraindications in your particular case and tell you about the precautions for using the remedy.

Reviews on the use of apricot oil

I apply apricot oil on a warm cotton swab and wipe my face in the morning and evening after washing, including the area around the eyes, so the oil also helps to strengthen the eyelashes, make them more beautiful. After three days, the face noticeably prettier and the inflammatory areas calmed down.

I mix apricot oil with tea tree oil in a 1: 1 ratio and apply pointwise to rashes. They pass very quickly, most often during the night the situation on the face becomes more favorable. I also add apricot product to clay masks.

Also, in the evening I apply apricot oil on my face, remove the excess with a napkin and go to bed. In the morning the skin is velvety. Probably, who has oily skin, this should not be done so that acne and irritation do not appear.

It is no coincidence that apricot oil is actively used in facial care. The product has many beneficial properties for the skin, thanks to which the epidermis looks noticeably better with regular use of the product. Interestingly, apricot oil also helps with colds. The main thing in this case is patience, since folk remedies do not act as quickly as pharmacy drugs.