Natural Certified Organic Apricot Oil

Natural apricot oil has been used for centuries for a variety of skin care purposes and other purposes. While it is very similar to almond oil in its effects on your skin, it is appreciably less expensive.

Origins and Skin Care Benefits of Apricot Oil

Obtained by pressing the apricot stone or kernel, the oil is comprised predominantly of oleic and linolenic acids, both of which are unsaturated, essential, fatty acids that must be included in a person's diet because the body cannot manufacture it itself. Apricot oil also includes  the antioxidant vitamins A and E.

The oil is easily absorbed into the skin, where the antioxidants help delay the effects of aging on the skin by destroying free radicals.  Free radicals are molecules that destroy body cells, including the cells of the skin, and can accelerate the appearance of aging on the skin. They are generated by the body's metabolism, and by external agents such as the UV rays of natural sunlight, pesticides, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants.

Antioxidants such as Vitamins A and E destroy these free radicals, and can help your skin to maintain a youthful appearance and look smooth and healthy.  Apricot oil is easily absorbed by your skin without making it oily, and is an excellent skin care product for those with dry skin and also for the elderly.

Apricot oil is one of the key ingredients in Castle Baths' Cocoa Butter Plus, along with cocoa butter, Shea butter, and mango butter. Castle Baths also offers pure cold-pressed apricot oil as a body moisturizer.

Apricot Oil vs Synthetic Equivalents

There are many synthetic preparations that can be used rather than natural oils such as apricot oils, so why should natural oils be more beneficial?  In fact, some synthetic equivalents are very effective skin care products, but they can also contain substances that are not good for you. Many contain surface active agents that are used emulsify oil and water to form a cream; surface active agents also used in detergents, which can have a negative effect on the skin of many people.

Not only that, but there are other ingredients often included in synthetic products to which many people might be allergic. The vast majority agree that a good natural product is better for you in general than a synthetic equivalent.

There is a lot of marketing out there claiming that non-natural and chemical-based products might be good for your skin. They very well might be, but they are also likely to offer negative effects.  Some contain allergens, and you are much safer relying on natural oils and butters to looks after your skin.

Other Uses for Apricot Oil

Apricot oil is widely used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy due to its innocuous nature and its ease of absorption by your skin. It also has culinary uses.  It is used as a salad oil, for example, although if you use it in this way, it should be labeled for food use.

Apricot oil is one of these natural oils, and can be used not only to look after your skin, but also your hair. If used as a hair moisturizer and scalp conditioner, it can help to promote lovely shiny hair.

It is also mentioned in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as a potential aphrodisiac, so natural apricot oil indeed has many and various uses to which it can be put.