Functional Category
Emollient; oleaginous vehicle; solvent
Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation
Almond oil is used therapeutically as an emollient(1) and to soften ear wax. As a pharmaceutical excipient it is employed as a vehicle in parenteral preparations,(2) such as oily phenol injection. It is also used in nasal spray,(3) and topical preparations.(4)Almond oil is also consumed as a food substance; see Section 18
Description
A clear, colorless, or pale-yellow colored oil with a bland, nutty taste
Stability and Storage Conditions
Almond oil should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and odors. It may be sterilized by heating at 1508C for 1 hour. Almond oil does not easily turn rancid
Safety
Almond oil is widely consumed as a food and is used both therapeutically and as an excipient in topical and parenteral pharmaceutical formulations, where it is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material. However, there has been a single case reported of a 5-month-old child developing allergic dermatitis attributed to the application of almond oil for 2 months to the cheeks and buttocks.