Apricot Kernel 杏核油 杏核油
Therapeutic Properties
Suitable for sensitive, dry and ageing skin；Especially suitable for facial massage；Easily absorbed；Relieves itchiness caused by eczema
History
The apricot is indigenous to Armenia, the Himalayas, China and few other parts of Asia and was first cultivated in India before 3000 BC . Apricot kernels were prescribed in Chinese medicine for treating emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Bontanical Name: Prunus armeniaca
Origin: Australia
Method of Extraction: Cold-pressed
Plant Part: Kernel
Properties: Thin oil
Thin oils can apply to the skin directly. Thick oils are sticky, diluted with thin oils will have a better result.
Proportion: Thick Oil 10-20% Thin Oil 80-90%
Contra-indication: Avoid during pregnancy
Base oil/ carrier oil is a vegetable oil rich in minerals and vitamins. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, they must be diluted into base oils/ carrier oils before safely applying them onto the skin. It can also help the essential oils to absorb into the skin more quickly. Add 4-5 drops of essential oil to 10ml of carrier oil for facial or body massage or as a homemade body oil after shower.
Benefits on the skin Apricot Kernel Oil is constituent of many types of oil, main types are oleic acids and linoleic acids. Apricot Kernel acid has the ability to maintain the softness, suppleness and the tone of the skin thanks to large amounts of oleic acid. A study has shown that oleic acid had the ability to enhance skin permeation by disrupting the skin barriers on skin cells, this allows the water and oil, even other plant chemicals in the oil to be ready to permeate into skin cells and supply and nourish them with water and nutrients. Source: Kim MJ, Doh HJ, Choi MK, Chung SJ, Shim CK, Kim DD, Kim JS, Yong CS, Choi HG. Skin permeation enhancement of diclofenac by fatty acids. Drug Deliv. 2008 Aug;15(6):373-9. doi: 10.1080/10717540802006898. PMID: 18686081. Retrieved from: Skin permeation enhancement of diclofenac by fatty acids - PubMed (nih.gov) Boosting Immunity and anti-inflammatory and Wound healing effects Apricot kernel oil can increase wound healing effects thanks to oleic acid enhancing the permeability of the skin, white blood cells and platelets are transported to the wounds of the skin easily and repair the damaged spot quickly. On the other hand, linoleic acid has proven to have skin repairing and anti-inflammatory effects. As a result, mice with dietary deficiency of linoleic acid suffered from scaly skin and skin disorders. Source: Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070 Retrieved from: Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils (nih.gov) Prevent Oxidative stress and Skin aging Apricot kernel oil can reduce stress and aging on skin caused by chronic exposure to extrinsic factors such as UV radiation, pollution or rapid change of temperature, which are common in urban environments. Apricot kernel oil can reduce the risk of these outside factors harming the skin because of the vitamin A and E have anti oxidative properties, preventing the degradation of the dermis layer and alterations to the skin cell gene expression that leads to skin aging or even carcinogenesis or cancer. Source:Saral Y, Uyar B, Ayar A, Naziroglu M. Protective effects of topical alpha-tocopherol acetate on UVB irradiation in guinea pigs: importance of free radicals. Physiol Res. 2002;51(3):285-90. PMID: 12234121. Retrieved from: Protective effects of topical alpha-tocopherol acetate on UVB irradiation in guinea pigs: importance of free radicals - PubMed (nih.gov)