Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal

What Is It?

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil is a pale, straw-colored or colorless oil obtained from almonds. In cosmetics and personal care products, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil is used in many different products including bath oils, lipstick, skin cleansing products, moisturizers, night skin care products and sunscreen products. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal is a yellow to light-tan loose powder with an odor of fresh almonds. It is used primarily in baths soaps and other skin cleansing products.

Why Is It Used?

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. When used in shampoos, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil imparts a desirable sheen to the hair and acts as an oil and water emulsifier. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal functions as an abrasive or a bulking agent.

Scientific Facts

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil is obtained by expressing oil from the ripe seed kernels of Prunus amygdalus dulcis. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil consists mainly of oleic and linoleic triglycerides. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal is the residue of the dried ripe seeds of sweet almonds, Prunus amygdalus dulcis obtained after the oil has been expressed. It consists of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, sugar and up to 10% water. The use of almond derivatives began with the ancient Hindus, who employed a paste made of crushed almonds as a body cleanser. Today, almond products are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Safety Information

The safety of Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal were safe for topical application to humans in the present practices of use and concentration. In 2002, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal and reaffirmed the above conclusion.

CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel reviewed pharmacological studies indicating that Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil is absorbed slowly through intact skin, whereas it is easily and completely digested and absorbed upon oral administration. In clinical studies, undiluted Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and products containing 0.1%-25% Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil were practically nonirritating and nonsensitizing. Additionally, products containing up to 25% Sweet Almond Oil were minimally and non- photosensitization. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal was not a dermal or eye irritatant. Products containing 2% Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal were also not irritating or sensitizing. Because some people are allergic to almonds, the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that all food containing almonds be clearly labeled.

Information about the FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidance…

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: 
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

More Scientific Information

The almond is the fruit of a small deciduous tree (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. The plant is classified with the peach in the subgenus amygdalus within Prunus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell. Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernel of the plant. This oil has been traditionally used by massage therapists to lubricate the skin during a massage session, being considered by many to be an effective emollient. Sweet Almond Oil functions as a skin conditioning agent – emollient and a lubricant in hair products. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal is made from almonds after the oil has been expressed. It functions as an abrasive and a bulking agent in soap and other skin cleansing products.