Turn over a bottle of Oktélia and look at the ingredient list. Right after water, in second place, you'll find Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil: sweet almond oil. It's also the third ingredient in Hydronéa, our replenishing cream, after water and aloe vera.
Here's what sweet almond oil is, what published research says about it, and why it sits so high on the label in two steps of the ZÉORA Ritual.
What sweet almond oil is
Sweet almond oil is pressed from the kernels of the sweet almond, the same nut you'd find in a Mediterranean kitchen. Botanists split almonds into two varieties, sweet and bitter. On an ingredient list, the sweet variety's oil is written as Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil; dulcis is Latin for "sweet".
Like most plant oils, it's made mainly of fatty acids. In a study of oils from 31 sweet almond genotypes grown in Türkiye, oleic acid was the main fatty acid (about 62% to 76%), followed by linoleic acid (about 14% to 30%). The main form of vitamin E in the oils was α-tocopherol (Özcan et al., Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2020).
What research says about almond oil
Almond oil has a long history in skincare, but it's worth being clear about what the research actually covers.
- A traditional emollient. A review in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice describes almond oil as an emollient, meaning it softens and smooths the skin, and notes that it has long been used to improve complexion and skin tone (Ahmad, 2010). The same review is honest that much of this is based on tradition and experience rather than conclusive scientific data.
- Quality matters. The European Pharmacopoeia sets quality standards for almond oil. When researchers in Türkiye tested 17 almond oils sold in pharmacies, herbal shops, online and in cosmetics stores against those standards, only 2 of the 17 met them (Berkkan et al., Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022). In other words, not every bottle labelled "almond oil" is the same.
None of these studies tested ZÉORA products. They tell us what sweet almond oil is made of and how it has been used, not how it behaves in a finished formula on your skin.
Why sweet almond oil is in ZÉORA
ZÉORA began with a notebook from 1850, kept by a woman named Zéora on the Greek island of Samos. She had reactive, sensitive skin and studied the plants growing around her, keeping only what her skin accepted. Almond trees are a familiar part of the Mediterranean landscape, so a simple, time-honoured oil from the almond kernel fits naturally into her story.
In Oktélia, the serum drawn from her eighth formula, sweet almond oil is ingredient #2. It's a big part of why Oktélia has a soft, milky texture rather than a watery one. It works alongside shea butter, grape seed oil, sodium hyaluronate, evodia fruit extract and the seven botanicals of our Samos Garden.
In Hydronéa, the cream drawn from her ninth formula, sweet almond oil comes third, right after water and aloe vera. There it sits alongside panthenol, bisabolol, jojoba seed oil and propolis wax to give the cream its comfortable, cushioned feel and leave skin feeling soft and supple.
Where you'll find it
- Oktélia, our lightweight serum (30 ml). Sweet almond oil is ingredient #2.
- Hydronéa, our replenishing cream (50 ml). Sweet almond oil is ingredient #3.
Both are part of The ZÉORA Ritual, together with Clarus, our gentle gel cleanser (100 ml). Clarus does not contain almond oil.
How to use the Ritual
- Clarus · Cleanse. Massage 1–2 pumps of Clarus onto damp skin for a few seconds, rinse lightly and pat dry.
- Oktélia · Calm. Apply 3 drops of Oktélia, one on the forehead and one on each cheek, and spread until absorbed.
- Hydronéa · Restore. Smooth Hydronéa evenly over clean skin to seal in hydration.
Use the routine morning and evening. Hydronéa does not contain SPF, so in the morning finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen you already tolerate.
A note on nut-derived ingredients
Sweet almond oil comes from a tree nut. If you have a tree nut allergy, or you know your skin reacts to almond oil, check with your doctor before using Oktélia or Hydronéa. Hydronéa is our fragrance-free step; Oktélia does contain fragrance, and every full ingredient list is on its product page.
If your skin is sensitive, introduce one new product at a time and patch-test first. The American Academy of Dermatology explains how to test a skincare product before using it on your face.
Keep reading
- The Samos Garden: 7 Botanicals in Every ZÉORA Step
- Propolis for Sensitive Skin: The Hive Ingredient in Hydronéa
- Evodia for Sensitive Skin: The Rare Fruit Extract in Oktélia
- Damask Rose for Sensitive Skin: The Rose in Every ZÉORA Step
- Aloe Vera for Sensitive Skin: Why It's Ingredient #2 in ZÉORA
This article is general skincare information, not medical advice. ZÉORA products are cosmetics, not medicines. If you have a skin condition, or notice persistent redness, itching, swelling or a rash, please speak with a board-certified dermatologist before changing your routine.
