Avocado Oil: The elixir for your skin

Because of the high number of antioxidants and healthy fats content, avocado oil has myriad nutritional benefits helping individuals who consume it to lead healthy lives. But the wonders avocado oil can do for your skin are not being talked about enough.

Avocado oil is a rich source of mineral oils, fatty acids (like omega 3), vitamins (specifically A, D and E) and antioxidants, which are all very essential to maintain healthy skin, it’s no surprise that many skincare products comprise of avocado oil. Hence, making avocado oil a part of one’s skincare regime will provide the following benefits:

1. Moisturizer

Avocado oil has a high percentage of fatty acids particularly the Oleic acid which is known to be a skin penetration enhancer. Because of Oleic acid’s high levels in avocado, about 63%, avocado oil has rapid skin penetration and hence can be used as an excellent morning moisturizer. Other than its penetration ability it also has nutrients like Vitamin E, potassium and lecithin, which helps in skin nourishment and healing (oleic acid also enhances the skin’s collagen production which helps in repairing and producing new skin).

Preparing an avocado oil facial moisturizer: You can rub a small amount of avocado oil on the palm of your hand and directly apply it on your face. Another way of using avocado oil as a moisturizer is to mix it with a nourishing oil like tamanu and a few drops of essential oil of your liking.

2. Anti-aging elixir

Avocado oil has vitamin C and E, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that are responsible for damaging the skin cells and causing its aging and wrinkles. Also, the fatty acids in this oil are responsible for helping the skin maintaining its elasticities and preventing wrinkles. Hence, using avocado oil on a regular basis with preventing wrinkling and aging of the skin.

You can try an avocado-based emollient product for potent anti-agent benefits. A natural treatment which improves the firmness of skin, elasticity, and skin tone while you are asleep. This formula features avocado butter which promotes youthful and supple radiance along with retinol derived from carrots which even skin tone. Avocado based natural cosmetics are an amazing choice for acne-prone skin types. These cosmetics have a high percentage of vitamin A which is essential for removing dead skin cells. These cosmetics also encourage cell turnover so you could say goodbye to red marks and scars. They also contain glutamine which is an amino acid that gently cleanses the skin.

Preparing a natural anti-aging skin rub: Combine ¼ cup of avocado oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of beeswax. You could throw in some shea butter as well. Heat the concoction by placing the jar of the mixture in a pot full of water. Let it cool and your daily anti-aging cream is ready.

3. Curing acne

You heard it right avocados can help in prevent acne breakouts and diminish blemishes or acne scars. Using avocado oil can limit the excess secretion of oil from the sebaceous glands in your skin and builds a shield against dirt and other acne-causing contaminants. The anti-inflammatory qualities of avocado oil can help in reducing redness and swelling in regions affected by acne while continued use of avocado oil daily can even prevent acne breakout.

Using avocado oil for curing acne: For faster results, you can use avocado oil for spot treatment of your acne regions by directly applying the oil on the acne. Another way is by mixing avocado oil with a few drops of tea tree or oil and then topically applying it to the acne-affected skin. Be sure to apply these treatments on a clean face, let it sit for half an hour and then wash it off.

The best results can sometimes come from simple actions. Mashed avocado with avocado oil can be directly used on the face as a face mask to get all the benefits that avocado has to offer. Just cut one ripe avocado in half and remove the pit. Carefully scrape off the fruit from the peel and use a small bowl to mash it in until you can get a smooth - creamy paste. You need to first wash your face and fingers and then apply the paste that you made on a clean and dry face. You need to wait for 20 minutes before washing your face with lukewarm water. The magic in avocado is that you can feel the effects in the first treatment.

4. Healthy scalp, healthy hair

Avocado oil has a high level of lecithin, a fatty acid that works as a lubricant and emulsifier. It forms a protective layer on the hair follicles which prevents the hair from getting dry and damaged during the harsh climate. Moreover, avocado oil helps in treating dry flaky scalp and dandruff troubles by providing deep hydration for the scalp and hair shaft. Avocado oil contains beta-carotene and minerals like copper and iron, helping in nourishing the hair and keeping the scalp healthy. It also contains vitamin E, which is not only beneficial for skin but does the same for the scalp of your head by fighting off free radicals that damage hair keeping it young and lustrous. Moreover, avocado oil contains a high biotin level which helps in the growth of new hair.

Using avocado oil for hair masks: mix avocado oil but some coconut oil and gently massage it on your scalp. You can also add some castor oil to the aforementioned concoction. To jazz up the treatment you can have a hot oil hair treatment where you can heat the concoction of these oils: avocado coconut and/or castor oil, put it in a jar and heat it in a pot of water once it cools down a little apply it in wet hair and leave it overnight.

5. Treating sunburn

The moisturizing qualities and antioxidants of avocado oil can help treat sunburn and skin. This reinforces the healing and soothing quality of the oil. The oil has a high level of SPF making it a mild sunscreen soothing and protecting your skin when you go out in the sun.

Using avocado oil for treating sunburn: Take some avocado oil mix it with aloe Vera gel and apply it on the affected sunburn area and continue for a few days and so you start seeing results.

6. Whitens The skin

The protein that is found in avocados called Sterolines helps lighten the skin at the same time decreases the visibility of acne scars along with dark spots on the face. Avocados also contain an antioxidant compound called glutathione which reduces melanin levels. Melanin colors the skin, lower levels of melanin can make the skin look lighter and whiter.

7. Treating damaged skin and inflammation

Avocado is a natural gift for the skin. It helps soothe inflammation, sensitive, and itchy skin. Eczema and psoriasis cause flaky, dry and patchy skin. Avocado has vitamins and antioxidants which help heal the symptoms caused by these skin diseases. Avocado oil also contains phytosterols, like beta-sitosterol. Some scientific studies show that these can reduce the body’s inflammatory response.

Avocado oil is penetrative which can be directly absorbed through the epidermis which is a layer of the skin. Most moisturizers and oils are unable to penetrate the skin. Only a thin layer of avocado oil is applied to the skin can go a long way. You can massage the avocado oil directly on your skin or add a few drops alone do your bathwater. During winter the skin tends to dry a lot and avocado oil can help retain moisture. You can also mix avocado oil with olive oil and massage it directly onto your skin after taking a bath this will ward off dry skin.

Given the amounts of benefits, avocado oil has, it is necessary that we make it a part of our life, using it for DIY masks, for curing skin and scalp diseases/troubles and keep them in good health. So, the next time you plan on running to the drug store for harsh medicines for any of the aforementioned troubles try using avocado oil instead. Using avocado oil with patience and consistency, will surely ripe plum skin and flourishing scalp, keeping them away from dryness, damage, diseases and wear out. Another way, to look at it is to opt for avocado oil organic cosmetics for both treating your skin and hair to the full potential of healing in nature, especially with this nutrient-filled.

There are next to no side effects of using avocado oil. However, one could be hypersensitive to avocados or their oil. To check for any allergies, you can do a path test as follows:

Apply a drop or two on the inside of the arm and leave it there for 24 hours or a little above. If no irritation arises, then you re good to go ahead and use it on other parts of the skin as well. If any irritation arises, be sure to go ahead and consult a doctor to avoid future complications.