Almond oil for skin: Here's what you need to know

Coconut oil might be the most well-known oil that beauty enthusiasts trust to give their skin a natural radiance, but it's far from the only one. Almond oil is an under-the-radar glowmaker that comes with some serious moisturizing benefits. No, we're not nuts — here's how to make the most of almond oil benefits for skin.

Almond oil for skin — is it any good?

Almond oil has actually been used for centuries in traditional healing practices. More recently, it has emerged as a popular ingredient in skincare products, particularly moisturizer.

But is almond oil good for skin, really? Take a look at some of the ways almond oil benefits for skin can target your unique skincare woes.

• Nourish dry skin. If you have dry skin, then banishing tight, itchy spots and keeping your complexion feeling comfortable can take some work. Let almond oil do the heavy lifting — per a small study published in The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, almond oil significantly improved hydration in skin after two weeks of use.

• Ease eczema and psoriasis symptoms. There are quite a few at-home treatment options for eczema and psoriasis, and almond has a prominent spot in more than a few. That's because the grandmothers who passed them down know their stuff: A 2010 review of the properties and uses of almond oil published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice explains that almond oil has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help soothe dryness that comes along with eczema and psoriasis. Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that almond oil, when combined with colloidal oatmeal, was effective at treating hand dermatitis, thanks to almond oil's high fatty acid content.

• Improve the overall appearance of skin. Don't have any major skin concerns — and want to keep it that way? The same study that studied almond oil's effects on eczema and psoriasis also noted that almond oil can help boost overall skin health due to the oil's emollient (i.e. softening) properties.

• Minimize sun damage. Spending time in the sun sans SPF protection leaves your skin vulnerable to premature signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. In one study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, researchers looked at the effect of almond oil on photoaging caused by the sun in mice and found that almond oil reduced visible signs of aging caused by UV radiation.

• Fade the look of stretch marks. Stretch marks are a natural part of life, and they mark major changes in your body, from an unexpected growth spurt to pregnancy. If tiger stripes aren't your style, though, look to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, which found that a 15-minute massage with almond oil helped reduce stretch marks in pregnant women.

Is almond oil a good fit for my skin?

Keep in mind that even though there are plenty of almond oil benefits for skin, the ingredient isn't going to be a perfect match for every complexion. While almond oil is generally safe for use by most people, avoid it if you're allergic to nuts. Never used almond oil before? It's always a good idea to do a patch test before trying any new ingredient just in case.

Big things come in small packages. You're not nuts to want almond in your daily skincare routine — if you're looking to get soft, smooth, glowing skin, a little bottle of this natural oil can pack quite a punch.