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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 (12)

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
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.

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)