Effect of Almond and Extra Virgin Olive Oils on Maintaining Skin Integrity in Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of extra-virgin olive and almond oils on maintaining skin integrity in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: This was a semiexperimental study. The sample comprised 120 term (37-42 weeks) neonates treated in a state hospital in Istanbul, Turkey (May-August 2023), who met the sample criteria (olive oil: 60, almond oil: 60). The data were collected using a newborn identification form, the Neonatal Skin Condition Score, and the DMM Skin Moisture Meter.

Results: The neonates' sex, gestational age, postnatal age, birth weight, length, and head circumference measurements were similar, suggesting no significant differences between the groups ( P s > .05). A statistically significant difference was found between the mean skin hydration levels of neonates treated with almond oil and extra-virgin olive oil on the first, second, and third days of the application, where a higher skin hydration was determined in the extra-virgin olive oil group ( P = .024, P = .004, P = .020). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the Neonatal Skin Condition Score scores of neonates treated with almond oil and extra-virgin olive oil before and on all days of the application (1-5 days, P > .05).

Conclusions: Both extra-virgin olive oil and almond oil increased the stratum corneum hydration in term neonates. The application of extra-virgin olive oil and almond oil did not result in any adverse effects on neonatal skin conditions of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06286813.

Keywords: almond oil; extra-virgin olive oil; neonatal intensive care unit; newborn; plant oils; skin care.