If you’re a fan of snacking on seeds and nuts for healthy eating, it’s likely that you might add the occasional walnut to your diet. But have you heard of walnut oil used for cosmetic purposes?
Walnut oil is a carrier oil that is extracted from walnuts and is well-known for its ability to soothe the skin, moisturize, and help lessen the appearance of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. This is largely because it contains omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids which are highly moisturizing and beneficial for the skin. It is also beneficial when used on hair as it can promote hair growth and a healthy scalp.
Keep reading to find out all about walnut oil, including how it’s made, some potential uses and benefits, alternatives, and also shelf life/storage tips.
What is walnut oil made from?
As the name would suggest, walnut oil is made from walnuts. The process involves extracting oil from walnut kernels through a pressing process, which can either be done through cold-pressing, hot-pressing, or chemical extraction.
Cold-pressing is the most prominent extraction technique as it’s the best way of extracting oil while retaining all the lovely vitamins and nutrients the oil has to offer.
The oil is extracted specifically from walnut kernels that have fat make-up of 60% or more once they’ve been dried. The oil is then filtered and either sold raw or send to processing facilities for refinement.
You can also make butter from walnuts – here’s some more information on different types of nut and seed butters including walnut butter!
Uses for walnut oil
Walnut oil can be used in a variety of ways to benefit the skin and hair.
It’s great for hydrating and plumping up the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus it can be used for skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema due to containing fatty acids and plenty of antioxidants.
It can also help promote a healthy scalp by preventing dandruff, as well as promoting hair growth as it’s high in potassium. This helps the regeneration of cells and ultimately can accelerate hair growth.
Benefits of walnut oil
We’ve put together a list of all the fantastic benefits walnut oil has to offer.
Here are some benefits that make walnut oil stand out from other carrier oils:
- Highly moisturizing/hydrating
- Low comedogenic rating of 1-2, meaning it shouldn’t clog pores or cause acne
- Suitable for dry, normal, and oily skin types
- Can promote healing in the skin
- Strengthens the skin’s natural barrier
- Prevents water loss in the skin
- Rich in Vitamin E which helps to protect the skin against pollution and environmental stress
- Plumps skin thereby reducing signs of aging
- Helps to soothe flaky, dehydrated skin
- Can be used with other carrier oils
- Can be used with essential oils for other massage/beauty applications
Appearance and scent of walnut oil
Walnut oil has a very faint odor, with some saying it is practically scentless. Some say it has a very slight walnut aroma, but this is very subtle.
It is golden brown in color if used raw, however, it can also be found as a clear, pale yellow oil if it’s undergone bleaching in the refinement process.
Substitutes for walnut oil
Take a look at the below list of carrier oils that would make good substitutes for walnut oil:
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
- Hazelnut oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Safflower oil
- Coconut oil
Take a look at our guide to carrier oils for some more great alternatives to walnut oil. Here you can compare the different features of a range of carrier oils and pick one that is most similar to walnut oil!
Shelf life and storage of walnut oil
Walnut oil has a long shelf life of up to 2 years. However, this is only if it is stored in a cool, dark space, away from direct sunlight.
FAQ
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions about walnut oil that should give you more of an understanding of this popular carrier oil.
Walnut oil can be used on the face to help hydrate, nourish, and soothe the skin. It contains vitamin B and antioxidants which can help to reduce the appearance of aging signs, plus it contains vitamin E which is highly moisturizing.
It is worth bearing in mind that walnut oil is fairly greasy, so you’ll only need a small amount when using it on the face.
Using walnut oil regularly under the eyes can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles. It should brighten the skin, and also reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eye area.
For best results, simply massage a small amount of walnut oil under the eyes before going to sleep.
If you have very oily skin, you may want to avoid using walnut oil on the face in particular. Despite it having a low comedogenic rating of between 1-2, it does contain high levels of oleic acid which can lead to clogged pores if your skin is already on the oilier side.
You shouldn’t use walnut oil if you have an allergy to tree nuts, as walnuts are technically a tree nut and therefore may cause an allergic reaction.
It’s always best to consult a dermatologist/physician before adding new products into your routine if you suffer from an allergy.
Walnut oil can make your skin look glowy and radiant due to the moisturizing effect it has on the skin. It also contains vitamin B5 which can help to even out the complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots, which can also give the skin a natural glow.
Leave a Comment