Face cream with almond oil and avocado oil: what's in our cream
Almond oil is one of the best-known plant oils in cosmetics – and in our face cream with almond oil it comes second in the INCI list, right after water and before avocado oil. What is behind these two oils, how do they differ, and which other ingredients are in the cream? In this guide we go through the complete list step by step, compare almond and avocado oil in a table and tell you honestly who the cream suits – and who it doesn't.
Contents10
- What is almond oil?
- What is avocado oil?
- Almond oil and avocado oil compared
- What else is in the face cream with almond oil
- Who is a face cream with almond oil suitable for – and who not?
- How to use the face cream with almond oil
- Storage and shelf life
- Individually or in a set?
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What is almond oil?
Sweet almond oil is pressed from the kernels of the sweet almond. In the INCI list it is called Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil. It is one of the classic care oils: mild in scent, rather light in texture and therefore found in many creams, massage oils and baby care products. Fatty acids such as oleic acid make up most of the oil.
In a cream, almond oil mainly provides a soft, supple skin feel. That is exactly what our cream's product description says too. A face cream with almond oil promises no more than that – and that is a good thing: a plant oil is a care ingredient, not an active ingredient against skin problems.
Bitter and sweet almond
Cosmetics use the oil of the sweet almond. Bitter almond oil is something else and is used more as a flavouring. If a pack just says "almond oil", a look at the INCI list helps: Dulcis stands for the sweet variety.
What is avocado oil?
Avocado oil (Persea Gratissima Oil) is obtained from the flesh of the avocado. It is richer and somewhat thicker than almond oil and is therefore often used in care for dry or stressed skin. In a face cream with almond oil, it balances the lighter texture of the almond oil. At VEGAN FOX you will find avocado oil not only in the face cream, but also in both hand creams and in the ginger body scrub.
Almond oil and avocado oil compared
The two oils complement each other: the lighter almond oil and the richer avocado oil together make a cream that is meant to be neither too thin nor too heavy.
| Almond oil | Avocado oil | |
|---|---|---|
| INCI name | Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil | Persea Gratissima Oil |
| Origin | Kernels of the sweet almond | Flesh of the avocado |
| Texture | rather light | richer, thicker |
| Typical use | Face and body care, massage oils | Care for dry skin, hand and body care |
| Position in our cream | No. 2 in the INCI list | No. 3 in the INCI list |
| Also at VEGAN FOX in | – | both hand creams, ginger body scrub |
What else is in the face cream with almond oil
The INCI list is sorted by quantity: what comes first is contained in the largest amount. For the VEGAN FOX face cream (50 ml) the list looks like this – summarised here in groups:
- Base: Aqua (water), almond oil, avocado oil and glycerin. Glycerin binds moisture and is one of the most common ingredients in creams.
- Caring extras: Chamomile extract (Chamomilla Recutita Extract) as a proven plant extract and panthenol, provitamin B5, for a pleasant skin feel.
- Protecting the oils: Tocopherol (vitamin E) and ascorbyl palmitate (a fat-soluble form of vitamin C) protect the oils from going rancid. There is also a little sunflower oil.
- Consistency: Sodium polyacrylate as a thickener, glyceryl citrate/lactate/linoleate/oleate as an emulsifier so that oil and water combine, plus cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid and lecithin. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol and has nothing to do with drying alcohol.
- Scent and shelf life: Alcohol, parfum and benzyl benzoate, as well as phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin as preservatives.
We explain in detail how to decode such lists yourself in our guide Reading an INCI list.
Who is a face cream with almond oil suitable for – and who not?
According to the product description, the cream is a gentle facial care for morning, evening and after the last sauna session. There is no classification by skin type. So here are a few honest notes:
- Allergy to almonds or nuts: Almond oil comes from the almond. If you have a known allergy, please check with a doctor beforehand whether you can use products with almond oil.
- Sensitive to fragrances: The cream contains parfum and benzyl benzoate. If you avoid fragrances, you should know this.
- No sun protection: The cream has no sun protection filter. During the day, especially in summer, you also need a sun protection product.
- Vegan: All ingredients are vegan. You can read what that means exactly in our article on vegan cosmetics.
If you are unsure how your skin will react, first apply the cream to a small area, for example on your neck, and wait a day. For persistent skin problems, seeing a doctor is the right way.
How to use the face cream with almond oil
The application according to the product description is simple: morning and evening, apply a small amount to the cleansed skin of the face and neck and massage in gently. We recommend this order:
- Cleanse your face, for example with the cleansing foam for normal skin.
- Pat dry with a clean towel.
- Dab a small amount of cream onto forehead, cheeks, nose and chin and spread it, not forgetting the neck.
You can find technique, amount and the order with serum or sun protection in detail in our guide on applying face cream properly (link below).
After the sauna
After the last sauna session, our product description recommends gently cleansing your face, patting it dry and waiting briefly until the skin has cooled down. Only then does the cream go on face and neck. On hot skin that is still sweating, it spreads poorly.
Storage and shelf life
According to the product description, you should store a face cream with almond oil in a cool, dry place at 15 to 25 °C. Plant oils can go rancid over time – vitamins E and C in the formula slow this down, but do not replace good storage. So don't leave the cream in a hot car or in the sauna cabin. How long cosmetics last after opening and what the symbol with the open jar means is explained in our article How long do cosmetics last?
Individually or in a set?
The face cream with almond oil is available individually for €17.90. The facial care set contains it together with cleansing foam (200 ml) and gel face scrub (50 ml) for €46.90 – individually the three products would cost €50.70. If you also want shower gel, hand and foot cream, choose the head-to-toe care set. You can find all products in our skincare products.
Related reading: How to apply face cream properly: amount, order, technique · Day cream or night cream: do you really need both? · Facial care around the sauna: the simple 3-step routine
Conclusion
Almond oil provides a soft skin feel, avocado oil adds richness, chamomile and panthenol round it off: our face cream with almond oil is uncomplicated care for morning, evening and after the sauna. To be honest, it is not a miracle product and not sun protection – but a solid, vegan cream with a manageable INCI list. If you have a nut allergy or are sensitive to fragrances, take a close look beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
Is almond oil good for the face?
Almond oil is a mild, classic care oil and provides a soft skin feel in creams. Whether it suits your skin is something you will notice best yourself. If you have an almond or nut allergy, please check with a doctor first.
Can I use pure almond oil instead of a cream?
Pure oil contains no water and no humectants such as glycerin. A cream combines oil and water and therefore usually absorbs more pleasantly. Many people use pure oil more for the body or for massage.
Does the face cream have a sun protection factor?
No. The product information mentions no sun protection filter. For the day outdoors you also need sun protection.
Is the cream fragrance-free?
No, it contains parfum and benzyl benzoate. The complete INCI list is on the product page.
How much cream do I need?
A small amount is enough for face and neck. Better to apply a little and add more if needed than too much at once.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.