By Mary N. DiZazzo

Almond Oil- Nourishment for your Skin

Ciao bella,

We all love the flavor and scent of almonds. The health benefits from eating them are numerous.

My first encounter with the flavor was as a child my Nana would take me to Carruba’s slush store in Lawrence on Newbury St. and my favorite flavor was almond—yum, yum! The scent takes me back to childhood and brings a smile to my face every time.

Almond Oil is extracted from the dried kernel of the almond tree and is warm-pressed to do so. It is a popular carrier oil since it is non-greasy, spreads easily and is good for nourishing the skin. Essential oils are usually mixed with it because of its light nature.

Mostly known as sweet almond oil, it contains strong concentrations of vitamin E. It’s known to absorb quickly into the skin with benefiting properties to sooth, heal, lubricate, soften and revitalize. Since its richness in minerals, vitamins and proteins it is considered helpful to relieve dry skin, chapped lips and relieve itching due to dryness. It is an excellent emollient in helping the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture. Almond oil can also be found as a carrier oil in various massage oils, face moisturizers, body creams, soaps, hair and nail (cuticle) treatments.

The almond carries a fascination because the human eye which is the window of the soul is almond shaped. In religious art from European Christian to Indian Hindu and Buddhism the sacred persons are traditionally shown surrounded by a mandorla (almond in Italian) which is an almond shaped frame.

I also would like to take this opportunity to thank all my “All That Zazz” followers for attending my “You Look Marvelous” Beauty Talks at the North End library. Looking forward to another series in the Fall.

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.mary4nails.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com