The Uses of Hazelnuts in Skin Care Products

Hazelnut is increasingly popular in skin care for its antioxidant and rich moisturizing properties. There are multiple fatty acids and polyphenols in this ingredient that make it versatile, but not the best for acne prone skin types. This ingredient is safe to use and sustainable, and a good natural addition to many kinds of products. After you've found your Baumann Skin Type, you'll be able to find the best hazelnut products for your skin.

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Hazelnut oil is extracted from hazelnuts, which are the nut of the Corylus avellana tree. This nut oil contains a plethora of beneficial compounds for skin such as:

• Antioxidants: Hazelnut oil contains vitamin E, ferulic acid, gallic acid and caffeic acid. These polyphenolic antioxidants help fight skin aging free radicals.
• Oleic acid: This omega-9 fatty acid helps other beneficial ingredients penetrate into skin and also provides some moisturization.
• Linoleic acid: An omega-6 fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation.
• Palmitic and stearic acids: These saturated fatty acids give hazelnut oil a thicker, richer feel. Some skin types can get clogged pores from palmitic acid.

The benefits of hazelnut oil in skin care are diverse and notable. Here are some of the reasons to consider incorporating hazelnut oil into your skin care routine:

• Anti-Aging: The antioxidants in hazelnut oil, especially vitamin E, fight free radicals from sun exposure, pollution and other sources that damage collagen and cause fine lines and wrinkles. Hazelnut oil may also have mild sun protective benefits.
• Moisturizing: With oleic and linoleic fatty acids, hazelnut oil can help hydrate dry skin types. It may be especially beneficial when blended with oils that have more skin-soothing fatty acids.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Thanks to linoleic acid, hazelnut oil can calm inflammation associated with acne, eczema, psoriasis and sensitivity.
• Anti-Microbial: Research shows hazelnut oil has mild antimicrobial properties to protect against various bacteria.
• Skin Glycation Protection: Hazelnut oil contains compounds that may help prevent skin glycation, the process where sugar molecules damage collagen.

Hazelnut oil is considered very safe for topical skin application. It is not commonly allergenic, is hypoallergenic, and is free of common irritants like fragrances. Leading cosmetic databases like EWG rate it at low hazard, meaning it is free from most health concerns. Additionally, sustainably sourced hazelnut oil helps avoid deforestation.

For maturing skin that needs antioxidant protection against further wrinkles, sun damage, etc., hazelnut oil is an excellent addition to your regimen. Vitamin E, ferulic acid and the other antioxidants help prevent free radical damage to collagen and elastin responsible for firm, youthful looking skin.

Some research also indicates hazelnut oil may offer mild sun protection due to its antioxidant content. More studies are needed, but this benefit makes hazelnut oil even more promising for anti-aging.

People who are prone to acne need to be more careful with comedogenic oils. Though hazelnut oil is not highly comedogenic, the palmitic and stearic acids may clog pores for some.

However, hazelnut oil still offers benefits for oily and acne-prone skin types thanks to the anti-inflammatory linoleic acid content. It can help calm the redness and irritation associated with breakouts. The antimicrobial properties of hazelnut can also help eliminate acne causing bacteria on the skin.

Dry skin needs ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to repair and maintain the skin barrier. Hazelnut oil provides these, though at higher oleic acid levels than linoleic acid.

For severely dry skin, hazelnut oil may work better blended with oils that have more skin-soothing linoleic acid, like rosehip oil. But for mild dryness and flakiness, hazelnut oil on its own can provide noticeable improvements.

The rich, thicker texture from hazelnut oil’s saturated fatty acids make it a wonderful addition to massage oils. Combined with more absorbing oils like sweet almond, hazelnut gives an ideal viscosity for massage without being too greasy.

The antioxidants in hazelnut oil also continue protecting skin from massage-induced free radical damage. And its mild antimicrobial properties help keep massage oils fresh.

Hopefully you feel more empowered to take control of your skin health after learning more about hazelnut and its components in skin care. Be sure to take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to find out which ingredients are best for your unique skin.

If hazelnut oil looks like a good match for your skin needs, incorporating it into your daily moisturizer, serums, masks or massage oils can provide antioxidant power along with hydration and soothing benefits.

Thanks for reading! Leave a comment if you have any questions or anything you'd like to add!

Make sure to find your Baumann Skin Type using the quiz button below (100% free) if you haven't already!

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7. Spagnuolo, L., Della Posta, S., Fanali, C., Dugo, L., & De Gara, L. (2021). Antioxidant and antiglycation effects of polyphenol compounds extracted from hazelnut skin on advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation. Antioxidants, 10(3), 424.