Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil

Prunus armeniaca

Pressed from the seed inside the apricot stone, apricot kernel oil is a light carrier oil that suits the thin skin of the lips. This page covers where it comes from, what it contains, and how it behaves in a lip balm.

History of apricot kernel oil

The botanical name Prunus armeniaca means "Armenian plum," from an old belief that the fruit came from Armenia. It didn't. Genetic and archaeological work points to China and Central Asia as the real home of the apricot, domesticated there thousands of years ago. The fruit spread west along trade routes through Persia and Armenia and on into Europe, which is how the misleading name stuck.

Bitter apricot kernels have a long record in traditional Chinese medicine, mostly for coughs and breathing complaints. That history is worth knowing, but it sits apart from what the pressed oil does on skin, which is what matters for lip care.

What is in apricot kernel oil

Most of what the oil offers on skin comes down to its makeup:

• Fatty acids: it is mostly oleic acid (omega-9), usually around 60 to 70 percent, with linoleic acid (omega-6) making up roughly another 20 to 25 percent. These help skin hold onto moisture and keep its barrier in good shape.
• Vitamin E: present naturally as tocopherols. It is an antioxidant, which slows oxidation in the oil itself and helps protect the skin's surface lipids from everyday wear.

You will sometimes see apricot kernel oil credited with vitamin K or a knack for fading dark circles. Nutritional analyses put the vitamin K content at essentially zero, so we leave that claim out.

What does apricot kernel oil do in lip balm?

The skin on the lips is thin and has little to shield it, so it dries and cracks easily. Apricot kernel oil is a sensible fit here:

• Moisturizing: it eases dryness and helps with chapped lips in our balm.
• Protection: the oil sits as a light layer on the lips, which buffers them against cold and wind.
• Soothing: its fatty acids can help cracked lips settle and recover.
• Feel: it is light and absorbs quickly, and it lends a soft sheen rather than a heavy, greasy film.

Conclusion

Apricot kernel oil has a long history and a straightforward job in lip care as a light, moisturizing oil. We use it cold-pressed, which keeps it close to its natural state. On the safety question that occasionally comes up: the amygdalin behind apricot-kernel scare stories is water soluble and stays largely in the seed meal, not the pressed oil, and topical use on the lips is not a concern.