Stressed About Clogged Pores and Congestion? Let Me Introduce You to This Underrated Face Oil

If you have acne-prone skin, I'm sure you can relate when I say I have a push-and-pull relationship with face oil. One one hand, I want to use it to moisturize, smooth, and plump my skin—especially in the colder months. I see people with glistening, radiant, post-face-oil skin, and I think, Okay, I want that. On the other hand, I don't want it to clog my pores and make me break out. That would be a bummer. Thus, this internal struggle goes on and on indefinitely.

With that being said, I know not all face oils are the same. In fact, many face oils are suitable for acne-prone skin and can deliver the plumping, moisturizing, and glow-boosting benefits without the pore-clogging side effects. Almond oil is one of them. In fact, dermatologists say almond oil is an underrated ingredient when it comes to acne-prone skin specifically. Keep scrolling to get all the details.

The Benefits of Almond Oil for Skin

First, we need to make an important distinction. There are different types of almond oil. For all intents and purposes, we're concerned with sweet almond oil. Bitter almond oil need not apply. Take it from Hadley King, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. "Sweet almond oil, with anti-inflammatory fatty acids and vitamins A and E, is a great choice for good moisturizing and antioxidant properties," she says. Meanwhile, "bitter almond oil is not recommended for topical use on the skin or ingestion."

Now that that's out of the way, let's get into the specific skin benefits of sweet almond oil. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says sweet almond oil is moisturizing, antioxidant-rich, and soothing for sensitive skin. "As a lightweight moisturizer, almond oil acts as an emollient to help fill in the cracks and crevices of rough skin and an occlusive agent that seals water into the skin," he says. "Antioxidants in almond oil, like vitamin E, help protect skin from the effects of free oxygen radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cellular structures. Almond oil can reduce skin irritation. This may be helpful in conditions like eczema or psoriasis because it may improve symptoms like itch, swelling, or redness."

King seconds this, saying, "Sweet almond oil is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, monounsaturated omega fatty acids, proteins, potassium, and zinc, as well as several other vitamins and minerals. It is mild and hypoallergenic, so it is safe to use directly on even sensitive skin. The fatty acids do a great job of moisturizing the skin or hair, and vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, so that means that regular use will help protect the skin from free radical damage from UV rays and pollution. Almond oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be soothing to irritated or inflamed skin. It's a great emollient, and anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help to rejuvenate damaged skin."

To sum it up, sweet almond oil is moisturizing, antioxidant-rich, soothing, and anti-inflammatory. It's all thanks to its individual components, including:

• Vitamin A: King says vitamin A may help with skin texture and tone issues. "Retinols are derived from vitamin A and are popular skincare ingredients because of their anti-aging properties and ability to address acne," Camp adds.
• Vitamin E: "Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects skin cells from oxidative stress from free radicals," Camp says. "In addition, vitamin E provides hydrating properties by helping to retain moisture."
• Fatty Acids: King says these provide anti-inflammatory benefits. "They also reinforce and strengthen the skin's surface to fortify the skin barrier," Camp adds.
• Zinc: "Zinc has antioxidant and soothing properties, making it a popular ingredient in addressing inflammatory skin conditions like acne," Camp says. King adds that it has wound-healing properties.

Almond Oil for Acne-Prone Skin

Let's talk about almond oil and acne-prone skin. There are multiple reasons it's suitable for acne-prone skin, including its aforementioned zinc and vitamin A content and anti-inflammatory properties. However, when it comes down to it, it's not as comedogenic (or pore-clogging) as other oils. "The comedogenic potential of almond oil is low," Camp says. "It rates a two on a scale of five. This means it is less likely to clog pores and contribute to the formation of acne."

That means people who have struggled to use other face oils might find a match in sweet almond oil. However, there are two caveats. First, if you have severely acne-prone skin, it might be a good idea to stick to a completely oil-free skincare routine for clearer skin. Second, even though it may not make acne and clogged pores worse, it won't necessarily treat acne either. "Almond oil is mostly noncomedogenic, but if you're trying specifically to treat clogged pores and acne, then I'd recommend ingredients like salicylic acid," King says. "For example, I like Bioelements Pore Thing Daily Cleansing Gel ($51), which contains 1.5% salicylic acid and azelaic acid to target pores in a hydrating base with gentle surfactants."

Who Should/Shouldn't Use Almond Oil

Both experts agree that almond oil is generally well tolerated by most skin types. However, there is one exception. "Almond oil should not be used by people with allergies to almonds or tree nuts because of the potential of an allergic reaction," Camp says. As always, it's a good idea to perform a patch test before using a new skincare product. This will help prevent widespread irritation or reactions.

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