Among the recurring ingredients in face and body care, apricot kernel powder stands out as a true essential. Natural, easy to incorporate into formulations, effective and gentle on the skin, it is a go-to ingredient. But what are its real benefits, and how should you use it?
What is apricot kernel powder?
It is a powdered solution, more or less fine, made from the grinding of apricot kernel shells. The grinding step is generally followed by additional steps:
- sieving, to remove the coarsest particles;
- sterilisation, typically carried out using steam, to ensure microbiological purity.
It is a prized ingredient in cosmetics, primarily used in exfoliating products:
- face and body scrubs;
- exfoliating foot and hand treatments;
- exfoliating soaps;
- exfoliating shower gels and creams.
It is also worth noting that apricot kernel powder does not contain the small kernels found inside the stones. These are removed before grinding and are instead used to produce apricot vegetable oil, which is also widely used in cosmetics.
Apricot kernel powder: what are the benefits?
The main benefit of apricot kernel powder is that it makes an excellent natural exfoliant and blends seamlessly into all types of cosmetics, whether homemade preparations or commercial products (conventional and organic alike).
The skin, the largest organ of the human body, is in a constant state of renewal. Every day, skin cells die and are replaced by new ones. The catch: dead cells (particularly keratinocytes, which produce the keratin that gives skin its protective barrier) remain on the surface of the epidermis and accumulate there. When this layer of dead cells becomes too thick, the skin looks dull, dry and rough. Worse still, pores tend to become clogged, leading to blemishes and ingrown hairs. Regular skin exfoliation is therefore highly recommended. That’s where apricot kernel powder comes in! When incorporated into a body care product, it helps to:
- remove excess dead cells from the epidermis;
- deeply cleanse the skin, smooth and soften it;
- prepare it to better absorb other treatments;
- through the mechanical action of massage, stimulate skin renewal and smooth out imperfections (such as stretch marks);
- restore radiance and firmness.
How to use apricot kernel powder?
1- As a DIY treatment
If you love making your own skincare at home, apricot kernel powder is a perfect ingredient for creating your own exfoliants. For example:
- you can make an exfoliating cream by mixing 3 tsp of powder into a neutral cream base (available at organic stores) with a few drops of natural apricot aromatic extract;
- you can also create a nourishing exfoliating paste using clay (approx. 10 g), apricot kernel powder (2 g), apricot vegetable oil (1 to 2 ml) and water (10 ml).
2- Choosing quality products
If you prefer a more convenient option but still love naturally formulated skincare, you’ll be pleased to know that many “clean” cosmetics are now widely available on the market.
At Cellublue, we have a passion for nature! That’s why we rely, when developing our products, on active ingredients and components derived from nature. Both of our scrubs contain apricot kernel powder:
- our Anti-Stretch Mark Scrub, which supports cell renewal, helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and prepares the skin to absorb nourishing and restorative treatments (including our Stretch Mark Serum);
- our Anti-Cellulite Scrub, which works both mechanically on skin firmness (through massage and exfoliation) and on the appearance of dimples (formula enriched with lipolytic caffeine).
