If you have used one of our body oils, you have already used apricot kernel oil. It is part of the shared base of all of them, and it earned that place for a simple reason: it feels good on almost everyone's skin.
Here is where it comes from, what makes it different, and how to use it on its own.
Where Apricot Kernel Oil Comes From
Apricot kernel oil comes from the same apricots you eat, Prunus armeniaca. Crack open the hard pit in the middle of the fruit and there is a small kernel inside, a little like an almond. Those kernels are pressed to make the oil.
The result is a pale yellow oil with almost no scent, which is exactly what you want in a carrier oil: it lets your skin, or your essential oils, do the talking.
Our Apricot Kernel Oil is 100% pure, with nothing added, and comes in three sizes, from a 10 ml bottle for trying it to a 4 oz bottle for regular use.
What Apricot Kernel Oil Is Like on Skin
Apricot kernel oil is light and silky. It spreads easily, absorbs at a comfortable pace, and leaves skin feeling soft rather than slick. It is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, the same fatty acids that make so many plant oils good moisturizers.
Because it is so mild, it is a popular choice for sensitive skin and for massage, where you want an oil that glides without feeling heavy.
Apricot Kernel Oil vs. Sweet Almond Oil
These two are close relatives. Apricots and almonds belong to the same plant genus, and the oils are similar enough that many people use them interchangeably.
- Sweet Almond oil is a little richer and a classic for massage.
- Apricot kernel oil is a little lighter and absorbs a bit faster, which makes it a nice choice for the face and for daytime.
If you like one, you will very likely like the other. Our carrier oil guide explains how these oils work with essential oils.
How to Use Apricot Kernel Oil
- Body: smooth it onto damp skin right after a shower. A little goes a long way.
- Face: press two or three drops onto clean, slightly damp skin at night.
- Hair: rub a drop or two between your palms and smooth it over the ends of dry hair.
- Massage: warm a small amount in your hands and use long, slow strokes.
- With essential oils: for a 10 ml roller bottle, add 2 to 4 drops of your favorite essential oil, about a 1 to 2 percent dilution, and fill with apricot kernel oil.
If you have a nut or stone fruit allergy, check with your doctor before using it, and patch test on a small area first.
Want It Ready Made?
If you would rather not mix anything, our body oils share a base of apricot kernel, jojoba, grapeseed, olive, and sweet almond oils, plus a pure essential oil for aroma. Lavender is the easy evening choice, and Patchouli is the one people ask us about most.
How to Store It
Keep the cap closed and the bottle somewhere cool and dark. If the oil ever smells sharp or stale, it has gone rancid and it is time for a fresh bottle.