FYI: Almond Oil Will Make Your Hair So Damn Soft

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Have you ever social media-stalked someone and admired how healthy their hair looks? (Matilda Djerf *cough cough*) Whether it’s long, shiny, ~lustrous~, or swaying in the wind like a scene from a shampoo commercial, one thing is certain: They’re taking care of their hair. This could involve limiting heat damage, indulging in scalp massages, or applying various oils, such as almond oil. Now, almond oil for the hair may not have been your first pick; maybe you’re loyal to rosemary oil because you're an Alix Earle stan, or you've got a giant tub of coconut oil because you grew up with hair oiling—but almond oil is another inexpensive, nourishing oil worth trying for your hair and scalp.

According to beauty chemists and trichologists, almond oil is the real deal when it comes to shiny, healthy, and even (potentially) longer hair. Keep reading for everything you need to know—like who should use almond oil, how it works, and how to use it for hair health—straight from the pros:

Is almond oil good for the hair?

Yes, almond oil is good for your hair, specifically for moisturizing and smoothing. As the name suggests, almond oil is derived from the fruits of almonds (Prunus amygdalus), which are native to the Middle East and South America. While there are limited studies on the benefits, almond oil consists of fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, and palmitic, and is a rich source of vitamin E, says dermatology nurse practitioner Jodi LoGerfo, DNP. Certified trichologist Kerry E. Yates also attests that almond oil is excellent for both the hair and scalp, as it is a “natural antioxidant that protects, while the added vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids condition your hair and skin.”

Sweet Almond Oil 100% Pure Moisturizing Oil

Mint Almond Oil Blend for Healthy Hair and Scalp

Benefits of almond oil:

There are hella benefits of almond oil (like, if almond oil were on Hinge, we’d send a rose). According to beauty chemist Benjamin Knight Fuchs, almond oil has emollient properties that can soften hair texture and provide a protective smoothing effect during styling. “The linoleic acid contained in fresh almond oil may improve hair resilience,” he says, which can keep water and moisture in your hair.

For those who love to style their hair, almond oil is the GOAT, as it's quite lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it ideal for even fine hair types. It can help coat your hair with lots of shine, as well as smooth it out to reduce flyaways and frizz without making it too heavy or greasy, per Yates. Lemme just break down all the potential benefits though:

• Enhances shine

• Moisturizes and locks in hydration

• Softens hair texture

• Alleviates scalp dryness

• Lightweight and absorbs quickly

• Smoothes frizz and flyaways

Is almond oil better than other hair oils, like coconut oil?

Almond oil isn't necessarily "better" than other hair oils, like coconut oil; it just comes down to personal preference and your hair type. Almond oil is a lightweight oil, unlike coconut and olive, making it suitable for use on both fine and coarse hair textures. “This will enhance the hair, but some people prefer to use a heavier oil to smooth the hair by weighing it down,” says Yates. Good rule of thumb: If you've got fine, thin hair, try almond oil—whereas peeps with thick, coarse hair might prefer a richer oil like coconut.

Who should use almond oil for hair?

The best thing about almond oil is that anyone can (and should) use it, especially if you’re in the market to improve your hair’s shine, texture, and strength. “Men and women with drier hair or scalps will enjoy the benefits of almond oil more than those with an oilier profile," says Fuchs. It is an oil, after all, so those with fine hair might prefer a short-contact therapy approach by massaging it into their scalp, leaving on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinsing (more on this below, though).

Who should not use almond oil for hair?

Generally speaking, LoGerfo says most people can use almond oil on their hair. TBH, the only potential risk with almond oil is if you're allergic to nuts or have allergic tendencies or sensitives—in which case, you should def avoid it.

If you use almond oil and your scalp becomes red or itchy, stop immediately and make an appointment with your derm. As always, we suggest testing the oil on the back of your neck and waiting a few days to see if you have any adverse effects before using it all over the scalp.

How to use almond oil for hair:

There are many ways to apply almond oil (we love a versatile queen!). But it will depend on your hair goals and hair type. Lemme break it down:

As a moisturizing leave-in:

Fuchs suggests diluting almond oil with water for easier application, then just dispensing it into a spray bottle. Shake well, and mist it onto your hair while it's damp or dry (it'll absorb more easily on damp hair, but can help smooth flyaways on dry hair). FYI: It’s essential to shake well before spraying, as the almond oil may separate from the water.

For fine hair or oily scalps:

One approach is to apply a small amount onto the hair and scalp, allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse out. Consider it like short-contact therapy—it'll help soften and smooth your hair, but you can still easily wash it out with shampoo to avoid any greasy feeling on your scalp or hair.

As a conditioning treatment:

Another option is to warm the oil up in the microwave, gently massage it into your scalp with your fingers or a silicone scalp massager, wait a few minutes, and then rinse it out. You can also mix it into your deep conditioner, then let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing.

To smooth and add shine:

Alternatively, you can use it as the final step in your hair care routine as a finisher. “I wouldn’t place it directly on the scalp—instead, I would recommend applying it to your hair," LoGerfo says. "If you have dry or split ends, concentrate the application there,” she adds.

In your hair products:

Don't wanna play chemist or deal with a DIY? No worries, just grab a hair product that contains almond oil already. You don’t have to worry about any mess, and you know that everything is properly diluted. Here are our favorites:

Shampoo and Conditioner With Almond & Shea Butter

Intense Hydration Almond Oil Blend Hydrating Hair Mask

Leave-In Conditioner

Hair Oil

How long do I leave almond oil in my hair?

How long you leave almond oil in your hair entirely depends on the method you applied it (see above for a guide). But in general, if you’re using almond oil as a leave-in conditioner, you can simply let it stay on your hair until your next wash day. However, if you are using it as a mask, you can leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then shampoo it out.

Do you wash off almond oil?

It’s not necessary to wash almond oil off your hair, so if you apply it to your ends and forget about it, you’re in the clear. However, some people will want to wash it out, as it has a density that can weigh down hair and make it appear oily. It just comes down to your hair type and preferences.

Final thoughts:

Almond oil is a great lightweight option for anyone looking to add a bit of sheen and resilience into your hair. As with all beauty treatments, you need to be consistent with use and limit the amount of stress you put your hair through, though, so don't expect miracles like really long hair out of nowhere. While there aren't a ton of studies showing that almond oil is beneficial for the hair, it has been utilized in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to make your hair soft as all hell, so there's no harm in trying it.

Meet the experts:

• Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and the creator of Colour Collective, an incubator of beauty development partners who help concept, create, and execute new beauty brands.

• Jodi LoGerfo is a nurse practitioner at Orentreich Medical Group in New York, NY where she specifically treats acne, as well as cosmetic dermatology.

• Benjamin Knight Fuchs is a registered pharmacist, nutritionist, and skincare chemist for the past 35 years.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly three years of experience writing beauty stories that range from gel nails to mini flat irons. She’s an authority in all hair categories, but is an expert when it comes to almond oil, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different hair oils for hair growth.

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