Almond kernels

Almonds, from which the kernels and shells are obtained, have a long history dating back to antiquity. They originally come from Central Asia, from where they spread to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and later to Europe and America. Today California in the USA is the largest producer of almonds, accounting for up to three quarters of world production, while the remainder comes mainly from Spain and Italy. They grow on the almond tree, a tree in the rose family, where the kernels form the inner part of the fruit stone. After harvest, almond shells are washed, dried, mechanically ground into a fine or coarse powder, and sieved to achieve a uniform texture. This natural product is fully biodegradable, eco-friendly, and free of chemical additives, making it ideal for clean cosmetics.

This raw material acts primarily as a gentle exfoliant, mechanically removing dead skin cells, cleansing pores and promoting renewal of the skin barrier for a smoother and brighter appearance. At the same time, it conditions, smooths, and refreshes the skin without stripping its natural moisture, thereby helping to hydrate and soothe. In hair care products, it removes product residue and excess sebum from the scalp, strengthening the hair. It is used at concentrations of 1-5 % in scrubs, cleansing gels, lip or body exfoliants, where its abrasive effect is gentle on sensitive skin.

It is especially recommended for dry, sensitive, oily, acne-prone, dehydrated or mature skin, where it effectively removes dead cells without irritation, cleanses pores and improves texture. It is suitable for people with rough skin on the elbows, knees or feet, as well as for a scalp with excess sebum. Avoid use in case of nut allergy; always perform a patch test. Ideal for vegan and eco-friendly cosmetics.

Clinical data confirm the exfoliating effect: almond shell powder at concentrations of 2-5 % in peels significantly reduced the thickness of the stratum corneum by 25 % after 4 weeks of regular use, thereby improving skin hydration and elasticity (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018). Another study showed that formulations with 3 % Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Shell Powder reduced the visibility of fine wrinkles by 18 % over 6 weeks in women with dry skin (International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021).