How to use apricot vegetable oil?

The apricot oil is a vegetable oil with amber reflections and a fruity scent. Its sensory characteristics make it particularly appreciated by massage enthusiasts. Rich in oleic acid, its main constituent, apricot oil has proven moisturising properties to strengthen the hydrolipidic film and prevent skin dehydration. However, while it is a friend to dry skin, its application on the face is not recommended for those with oily skin, due to its slightly comedogenic nature.

Studies in vitro have also highlighted certain effects of apricot oil that could prove interesting for preventing skin ageing. Indeed, in addition to its antioxidant activity, this vegetable oil could potentially have anti-collagenase and anti-elastase effects, which means it would protect the collagen and elastin protein fibres from degradation. Finally, apricot oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that allow it to reduce irritations and redness.

How to apply apricot oil?

• Pure.

  The application of pure apricot oil on the skin poses no risk. At the level of the eye contour to care for this delicate area, on inflammatory stretch marks to reduce them, or even on your entire body to hydrate and nourish it, apricot oil is versatile. The richness of its formulation also allows it to replace your usual moisturising cream. Apply a few drops of apricot oil on clean, dry skin in the evening so that your face can benefit from its properties during its night-time regeneration. Do not hesitate to accompany the application with a gentle massage: in addition to stimulating blood circulation, this will allow the oil to be effectively absorbed by the skin.

• Diluted in a cream.

  You can also incorporate apricot oil into your usual moisturising cream or into your stretch mark cream. To do this, take a small amount of cream in the palm of your hand and add one or two drops of apricot oil. You can then apply the treatment by gently massaging it in and enjoy its nourishing benefits.

Several studies have highlighted the benefits of apricot oil for hair, particularly for fine, dry, or brittle hair. Its moisturising virtues are mainly due to the saturated fatty acids it contains, primarily oleic acid. Indeed, this omega-9 has a chemical structure similar to that of the lipids that make up the cuticle of the hair fibres, which allows it to insert itself and strengthen the cohesion between the cells, also known as scales. Apricot oil also has interesting antioxidant properties for the scalp and hair, allowing it to protect hair follicles from oxidative stress, a factor that promotes the appearance of white hair and hair loss.

How to use safflower oil on hair?

• Immersed in oil.

  To strengthen and nourish your hair, you can perform an apricot oil bath once or twice a week. To do this, apply a few drops of vegetable oil to each of your strands, from mid-lengths to ends, and leave it on for about fifteen minutes. You can also leave the apricot oil on overnight. Then wash your hair with a shampoo suitable for your hair type.

• Mixed into a shampoo.

  Apricot oil can also be used directly on the scalp in cases of dryness or irritation. However, due to its relatively oily nature, we advise against applying it as it is. Instead, opt for the following method: once or twice a week, when you wash your hair, mix two to three drops of apricot oil with your shampoo. This two-in-one technique will allow your scalp to be both clean and moisturised.

A lesser-known application, the apricot oil can be used for nail care. Its richness in fatty acids can be a source of real benefits for nail health, particularly in terms ofhydrating and nourishing the cuticles. Apricot oil is also ideal for strengthening and repairing nails if they are brittle or beginning to split.

How to apply apricot oil on the nails?

• Through massage.

  To strengthen your nails, you can apply a drop of apricot oil to each one daily and massage until fully absorbed. After a few days, your nails will appear stronger.

• As an oil bath or as a mask.

  You can also allow the apricot oil to work for longer on your nails by immersing them in an oil bath for about fifteen minutes. If you are short on time to carry out this method, you can also wrap your nails coated in apricot oil in cellophane wraps overnight. This will provide them with deep hydration without interrupting your daily activities.

While apricot oil is indeed edible, its primary characteristic is not its culinary use. Indeed, although its composition offers certain interesting nutritional qualities, it does not, however, allow it to stand out compared to other edible vegetable oils such as olive oil or rapeseed oil. Moreover, apricot oil has a fairly neutral taste and does not present any particular gustatory interest. It is also relatively expensive and is about two to three times more costly than olive oil, for example.

Finally, apricot oil can sometimes contain traces of amygdalin, an aromatic compound that converts into cyanide upon ingestion, due to the action of a digestive system enzyme. Amygdalin is a molecule typically found in the kernel of the apricot stone. A report from ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) recently revealed that 154 cases of poisoning from bitter apricot kernels occurred between 2012 and 2017. While there are no reported cases of food poisoning related to the vegetable oil itself when consumed in reasonable proportions (1 to 3 teaspoons per day), it is still advised to exercise caution.

Note : As the flesh of apricots does not come into direct contact with the kernel, consuming these fruits poses no risk.

• Vigil'Anses No.5. The Anses vigilance bulletin (June 2018).

• EL-SHIEKH R. & al. A Powerful Anti-Ageing and Immunomodulatory Activity of Standardised Apricot Seed Extract and its Primary Compound; Amygdalin. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research (2020).

• NAZZARO F. & al. Fatty Acid Composition, Antioxidant, and in vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of Five Cold-Pressed Prunus Seed Oils, and Their Anti-biofilm Effect Against Pathogenic Bacteria. Frontiers in Nutrition (2021).

• JI-SUN M. & JU-SUB K. Effects of Apricot Kernel Oil on Hair Texture Enhancement. Journal of Korean Applied Science and Technology (2021).

• KHANEGHAH A. & al. The potential of apricot seed and oil as functional food: Composition, biological properties, health benefits & safety. Food Bioscience (2023).