Almond oil has been used by various cultures as a healing and health-boosting ingredient for a long time. Currently, there are tons of anecdotal evidence that both sweet almond and regular almond oil can be used for hair growth. I got curious whether this natural oil has the same benefits for the manly man. After some digging here is what I found.
So, does almond oil help beard grow? No, sweet almond oil and regular almond oil for beard growth is a bad idea. Almond oil does not promote facial hair growth, on the contrary, almond oil inhibits the action of androgen hormones which are responsible for stimulating beard growth.
Below is scientific evidence explaining why using almond oil for beard growth is a bad idea.
Table of Contents
Almond oil for beard growth
When looking for any natural or product to help you grow facial hair there are a few factors that one needs to understand.
The first and foremost is the fact that the growth of facial hair is controlled by genes and androgens, aka beard hormones( testosterone and dihydrotestosterone).
Therefore, any product that promises to help you grow a beard should look to enhance the activity of the beard hormones or increase the response of your genes to the beard hormones. But should not at all cost inhibit the activity of your genes and beard hormones.
Unfortunately, most products in the market that promise to help you grow facial hair are made of products that inhibit your beard from growing.
Most companies that produce beard oils or beard care products include sweet almonds or regular almond oils in their products and swear how these products can stimulate beard growth.
But what does the research say about almond oil and beard growth.
Why almond oil isn’t a great beard oil ingredient
Different studies have revealed that certain groups of fatty acids can act as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone inhibitors. When these oils are exposed to human cells in-vitro or when consumed orally in-vivo. see here, here, and here for reference.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are one of the best fatty acids at affecting levels of androgens in the body negatively. These oils have the same detrimental effects on your androgen body levels whether consumed orally or when topically used.
Almond oil contains about 20-30% of linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is associated with suppressing beard growth hormones.
Well, in simpler terms here is how almond oils affect beard growth negatively.
Almond oil or sweet almond oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids which have been proven to lower testosterone levels in the body. Testosterone primes facia hair follicles for growth.
Secondly, sweet almond and regular almond oil contain linoleic acid which very effective at blocking DHT one of the beard hormones that is responsible for promoting linear growth of the beard.
It has also been found that women who have high levels of testosterone in their body and end up suffering from a condition called hirsutism.
When they consume almond oil it can help lower their levels of testosterone and potentially reduce facial hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can almond oil be used for the beard? No, almond oil cannot be used for the beard. Almond oil suppresses the activity of beard hormones and as a result, it will end up affecting your beards negatively.
Does almond oil make facial hair grow? No, almond oil does not make facial hair grow on the contrary almond oil inhibits the growth of facia hair.
Conclusion
I know there are tons of beard oil companies that use almond oil in their beard oil products. There are even tons of articles online of blogs claiming how almond oil can help you grow a beard.
While the DHT blocking properties of almond oil make it a great essential oil for hair growth especially for people suffering from androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. It is a bad choice for growing a beard.
The factors that affect beard growth are quite different from those that affect hair growth. The hormones responsible for beard growth are responsible for hair loss.
