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Apricot Kernel

Carrier Oil

Prunus armeniaca

Origin: China, Central Asia

About

A light, versatile oil very similar to sweet almond but with a slightly finer texture and lighter colour. It is particularly well-suited to facial massage and dry or sensitive skin conditions, absorbing smoothly without greasiness.

Originating in China over 4,000 years ago, apricot kernel oil spread along the Silk Road to Persia and eventually Europe. It has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine and Persian cosmetic practice for its skin-softening properties.

Benefits

  • Excellent for facial massage
  • Softening and soothing for sensitive skin
  • Rich in oleic and linoleic acids
  • Helps maintain skin elasticity
  • Good substitute for sweet almond with nut allergies (seed-derived)

Pairings (26)

Excellent
Cardamom

A light, nourishing carrier that beautifully showcases cardamom's warm spicy aroma without competing and absorbs well for abdominal and full-body massage.

Excellent
Lemongrass

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that dilutes lemongrass safely and spreads easily for full-body massage without heaviness.

Excellent
Bergamot

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that complements bergamot beautifully in uplifting facial and body massage blends.

Excellent
Rose Otto

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that extends Rose Otto beautifully without altering its delicate aroma, ideal for facial and body blends.

Excellent
Rosemary

A light, nourishing carrier that absorbs well and allows rosemary's stimulating properties to penetrate effectively in sports and circulatory massage blends.

Excellent
Tea Tree

A lightweight, non-greasy carrier that dilutes Tea Tree well for facial or acne-prone skin blends without clogging pores.

Excellent
Lavender

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that perfectly complements lavender's calming properties in relaxation and facial massage blends.

Excellent
Neem

A light, neutral carrier that dilutes neem beautifully to a therapeutic yet skin-friendly 1–5% blend for sensitive or problem skin.

Excellent
Pomegranate Seed

Light and skin-nourishing, apricot kernel perfectly dilutes pomegranate seed to an ideal working consistency while complementing its regenerative skin benefits.

Excellent
Cedar (Virginian)

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that allows Virginian Cedarwood to spread beautifully without overpowering its dry woody aroma.

Excellent
Cedar (Atlas)

A light, nourishing carrier that allows Cedar's woody aroma and lymphatic benefits to absorb beautifully without heaviness.

Excellent
Basil ct. linalool

A light, nourishing carrier oil that beautifully disperses basil ct. linalool for full-body stress-relief and nervous system massage blends.

Excellent
Basil ct. methylchavicol

A light, non-greasy carrier that absorbs well and is ideal for delivering this potent oil safely at low dilutions.

Excellent
St John's Wort

Apricot kernel is a light, skin-nourishing base that blends seamlessly with St John's Wort infusion, extending its therapeutic benefits while improving spreadability in massage.

Excellent
Clary Sage

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that allows clary sage's therapeutic properties to absorb beautifully, ideal for hormonal and relaxation massage blends.

Excellent
Black Pepper

A light, non-greasy carrier that disperses black pepper beautifully, making it ideal for sports and circulatory massage blends.

Excellent
Olive

Apricot kernel lightens olive's heavy consistency beautifully, creating a balanced, skin-nourishing blend ideal for dry and mature skin massage.

Excellent
Sunflower Seed

Both are light, skin-nourishing carrier oils that complement each other beautifully to create a well-rounded, easily absorbed massage base.

Excellent
Cypress

A lightweight carrier that beautifully disperses cypress for lymphatic drainage and circulatory massage without heaviness.

Excellent
Common spruce

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that allows spruce's fresh aroma to shine without interference, ideal for respiratory and muscle-relief blends.

Excellent
Sandalwood

A lightweight, skin-nourishing carrier that perfectly complements sandalwood's affinity for dry and mature skin.

Excellent
Agarwood

A light, non-greasy carrier that allows Agarwood's complex aroma to shine without competing, ideal for facial or body massage blends.

Excellent
Sweet Almond

Both are light, nourishing stone-fruit oils that blend seamlessly to create a silky, skin-softening massage base.

Excellent
Grapeseed

Both are light, skin-friendly oils that blend seamlessly to create a nourishing yet non-greasy massage base.

Excellent
Rosehip Seed

Both are lightweight, skin-nourishing oils that blend seamlessly for facial and anti-aging massage formulations.

Compatible

Properties

Aroma
very light, faintly sweet
Consistency
light
Absorbency
medium
Shelf Life
12 months

Contraindications

  • Not suitable for severe tree nut allergies (always patch test)