What Do Bitter Almonds Do In Skincare Products?
And what is Mandelic Acid (made from Bitter Almonds) good for in skincare products?
Bitter Almond (Prunus amygdalus var. amara) does contain toxic chemicals in its natural form. They smell like cyanide because they contain cyanide! The Food and Drug Administration, prohibits the unrestricted sales of bitter almonds, because of their toxicity. The bitter taste comes from amygdalin, a chemical compound within the nut that defends the nut from being eaten in the wild.
However, in the world of skin care, Bitter Almond oil alleviates wrinkles and triggers skin rejuvenation. As a facial lotion, Almond oil helps to increase the skin moisture and prevent wrinkles. Bitter Almond oil contains fatty acids that control fat of the skin and can be used to treat acne.
It's highly emollient, which means it helps to balance the absorption of moisture and water loss. Because it is antibacterial and full of vitamin A, it helps to speed up healing, prevent breakouts and support the skin's immune system and it promotes natural moisturizing - which means it helps to hydrate the skin effectively, giving it a radiant glow. Bitter Almond oil assists in promoting and maintaining a healthy dermis and epidermis; the top two layers of your skin.
Its concentration of vitamin E can also help to heal sun damage, reduce the signs of aging, and fade scars.
Mandelic Acid is a naturally derived extract of Bitter Almonds and is the most potent form of its topical application. It is a very aromatic alpha hydroxy acid that has been mostly studied for use with acne. AHAs are natural ingredients that provide skin care benefits ranging from exfoliation to increasing hydration and firmness. Mandelic Acid is the go-to anti-ageing ingredient for many Aestheticians. It works to accelerate cell turnover by dissolving the tiny bonds that hold skin cells together, helping to remove dead skin on the surface that can lead to dull complexions, as well as fine lines.
Mandelic Acid is well tolerated by almost all skin types. Depending on how your skin reacts to AHAs, this product can be used daily after an introductory phase.
What makes Mandelic Acid different from glycolic acid, for example is how gentle it is for those with sensitive or especially dry skin. Out of all the hydroxy acids, it is the gentlest because it has larger molecules than the others.
Mandelic Acid lightens and brightens skin, fades away unwanted sunspots, banishes acne scars, and minimize age spots. With continued use, you'll see damage from aging and sun exposure slowly reverse. Mandelic Acid also reduces brown spots from melasma by as much as 50% in only four weeks.
Mandelic Acid is most useful when it comes in the form of a serum, and you should always top it up with a nice, hydrating moisturizer and create an occlusive barrier on your skin to help it retain moisture.
