What Is It? Apricot oil, also known as apricot kernel oil, is extracted from the Prunus Armeniaca kernels (apricot).
What Are Its Benefits? Apricot oil help with reducing hair fall and promotes hair growth.
Who Can Use It? If you have curly or coily hair, apricot oil can be the most beneficial oil for you.
How Often? You can apply it everytime you wash your hair.
Caution Sometimes it can cause irritation and redness o the scalp, so a patch test is recommended..
In This Article
Nutritional Value Of Apricot Oil
Apricot oil is celebrated for its remarkable nutritional profile loaded with health-enhancing compounds. Here is a closer look at its nutritional composition ( 1 ):
It primarily consists of:
- Triacylglycerols (98%): The main fat molecules, contributing to its caloric value and functional properties.
- Phospholipids (1.1%): Crucial for cell membrane health.
- Unsaponifiable Matters (0.7%): Enhance its nutritional and therapeutic appeal.
- Free Fatty Acids (0.2%): Serve as an energy source and support nutrient absorption.
Essential Fatty Acids
- Oleic Acid (57.9–68.43%)
- Linoleic Acid (22.82–30.4%)
- Linolenic Acid (0.25–0.30%)
- Palmitic Acid (3.9–8.1%)
- Stearic Acid (1.37–1.7%)
- Palmitoleic Acid (0.98–1.3%)
These essential fatty acids contribute to improved hair health by providing nourishment and reducing inflammation, thereby promoting healthy growth.
Bioactive Compounds
- Beta-Carotene (61.05 mg/g)
- Tocopherols (50.76 mg/100 g)
- Phytosterols: Includes campesterol (11.8 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (9.8 mg/100 g), and sitosterol (177.0 mg/100 g), which support heart health and cholesterol regulation.
Antioxidant Properties
The oil exhibits potent antioxidant activity due to its high phenolic content and strong free radical-scavenging capacity. With its rich fatty acid profile, bioactive components, and antioxidant properties, apricot oil is suitable for edible purposes, pharmaceutical uses, and cosmetic formulations. It is particularly effective in moisturizing creams, massage oils, treatments for dry skin, and also for hair care thanks to its high vitamin E content ( 1 ).
Benefits Of Apricot Oil For Hair
Apricot oil is extracted from the apricot kernel or pit and has medicinal and pharmaceutical uses ( 2 ). It is a clear oil that is yellowish-orange. It can benefit hair in various ways.
- Apricot oil is rich in linoleum, linolenic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids (essential fatty acids). Its high fatty acid content makes it similar to sweet almond oil ( 3 ). It also contains vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients play a role in hair health.
- Apricot oil contains vitamin E that may help in the treatment of hair loss . Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is known to reduce oxidative stress in the scalp. Research shows that oxidative stress may cause alopecia ( 4 ).
- It contains vitamin C as well, which promotes hair growth ( 5 ). A deficiency in vitamin C causes scurvy, which may also result in hair loss ( 6 ).
- The iron in apricot oil also helps. Iron deficiency is linked to hair loss as well ( 6 ).
- Apricot oil contains linoleic and linolenic acid. These fatty acids may stimulate hair growth ( 7 ). The fats may also moisturize the dry scalp.
- Research shows that the oil can be used to treat dandruff ( 8 ).
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that the oil may control hair fall.
- It could be used to condition the scalp and as a hair wax ( 9 ). It may also be used to detangle hair.
Further, apricot oil can also be adapted for different hair types, benefiting them in the following ways:
- Curly Hair: Curls thrive on moisture, and apricot oil delivers just that. It deeply hydrates the strands, tames frizz, and defines those gorgeous coils, leaving them soft and bouncy.
- Straight Hair: Apricot oil adds a silky shine to straight hair while working its magic to prevent pesky split ends. It ensures a sleek and polished look.
- Color-Treated Hair: Apricot oil is a lifesaver if you love experimenting with hair colors. It nourishes and hydrates strands, locking in vibrant colors while protecting against dryness.
Read on to know the different ways you can use apricot oil to stimulate hair growth and deal with other hair issues
Key Takeaways
- Apricot oil is replete with linoleum, linolenic, stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- All these nutrients play a role in hair health.
- Apricot oil may help treat hair loss and promote hair growth.
- Scalp massage and hot oil treatment are the two best ways to use apricot oil for hair growth.
How To Use Apricot Oil
- Scalp Massage: Massaging the scalp can help increase blood flow and enhance hair thickness ( 10 ). You can massage your scalp every morning with apricot oil or mix it with natural oils. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes and shampoo as usual.
- Hot Oil Treatment: Warm the apricot oil a little and apply it to your scalp and hair. This hot oil massage to prevent hair loss opens pores and nourishes the scalp deep within, promoting healthier hair. Moreover, there are many benefits of hot oil massage , especially in hair loss cases, which you must explore to grasp its benefits in full breath.
- Aromatherapy: A study showed that pairing a carrier oil with essential oil can help stimulate hair growth through aromatherapy ( 11 ). You can also try massage-therapy by mixing apricot oil with other essential oils.
- Hair Masks: Apricot oil can be added to hair masks and packs. The oil may help hair hydration and keeps it moisturized. Pairing it with other natural ingredients can enhance its effectiveness.
- Hair Products: You can add apricot oil to other hair care products like shampoos and conditioners. This can add extra hair nourishment and improve hair strength and scalp health.
Pallavi, a blogger, writes about her needing to find the perfect routine for her frizzy hair. Living in harsh weather conditions with hard water to boot, her hair needs a healthy dose of moisture. Among her haircare routines is oiling with a customized mixture. She writes, “To prepare my personal favourite oil mixture, you need 100 ml of coconut oil, 100 ml of apricot or almond oil, 20 ml castor seed oil, 1 tablespoon henna, and 1 teaspoon of methi seeds.” Pallavi also mentions that this is an integral part of her hair care routine, adding, “I either keep it overnight or for at least two hours before washing my hair for its better absorption ( i ).”
While apricot oil is safe, there are some adverse effects you should be aware of.
Side Effects Of Using Apricot Oil
Apricot oil is generally safe for use on hair and skin. But be wary if you are allergic to apricots. Anecdotal evidence suggests the oil may cause skin redness or irritation. Perform a patch test before you use the oil. Stop use and visit your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
Infographic: A Complete Guide To Using Apricot Oil For Hair
While everyone uses coconut or olive oil for their hair, many are not aware that apricot oil is beneficial for the hair too. It contains vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair growth and improve its shine. Check out the infographic below for the benefits and different ways of using apricot oil for your hair.
Though used in many home remedies, apricot oil is not something that has received enough limelight. You can use apricot oil for hair-related issues like hair loss, dry scalp, and dandruff. The presence of essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals makes it an excellent choice to add to your hair care routine. To reap maximum benefits, you can use apricot oil for scalp massages, hot oil hair treatment, aromatherapy, hair masks, and add in hair products. Additionally, apricot oil is also a popular remedy for skin as it helps nourish and moisturize. You can explore various benefits of apricot oil for the skin and include it in your daily routine. However, you may experience allergic reactions if you are allergic to apricots. Therefore, it is best to do a patch test before incorporating it into your hair care regimen.
Is apricot oil light or heavy?
Apricot oil is light and easily absorbed in the scalp.
Is apricot oil good for low porosity hair?
Yes. As apricot oil is easily absorbed into the hair shafts, it is a great option for low-porosity hair.
Which is better for hair – apricot oil or almond oil?
Both are good for hair. However, almond oil is lighter than apricot oil and a better option for oily scalp. Apricot oil can be a good alternative for anyone with a nut allergy.
Illustration: Apricot Oil For Hair: Benefits And How To Use It
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Discover the amazing benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil for your skin, hair, and face! Check out this video to learn how this natural oil can nourish and protect your skin.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze’s articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
References
- Apricot kernel characterization, oil extraction, and its utilization: a review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9905367/#Sec14
- Medicinal Value of Apricot: a Review https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328634678_Medicinal_Value_of_Apricot_A_Review
- Studies on Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Fatty Acid Composition of Wild Apricot (prunus Armeniaca Linn.) Kernel Oil https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289239944_Studies_on_physico-chemical_characteristics_and_fatty_acid_composition_of_wild_apricot_Prunus_armeniaca_Linn_kernel_oil
- Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
- l-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate promotes elongation of hair shafts via the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 from dermal papilla cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19416266/
- The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: a Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/
- Standardization of Technology for Extraction of Wild Apricot Kernel Oil at Semi-Pilot Scale https://www.researchtrend.net/bfij/bf11/9%20DR%20ANIL%20GUPTA.pdf
- Phytochemical Screening Acute Toxicity Analgesic and Antiinflammatory Effects of Apricot Seeds Ethanolic Extracts https://javs.journals.ekb.eg/article_62723_db880ff4477798bd54149f1355dbea7b.pdf
- Safety Assessment of Plant-Derived Fatty Acid Oils https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1091581817740569
- Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
- Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy: a Systemic Review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
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