We use avocados to make the best cooking oil in the world (in our humble opinion), but many other people use it for other reasons as well. Using avocado oil for your skin is a common health tip, but is there any merit to it?
With the oil being used as an ingredient in many skincare products, there seems to be some truth in the idea that avocado oil is good for your skin.
The benefits of using avocado oil on your skin
Moisturises and heals your skin
Avocado oil contains a high percentage of Vitamin E, as well as potassium, lecithin, and many other nutrients which can nourish and moisturize your skin.
The oleic acid also promotes collagen production, which helps grow new skin. This accelerates the healing process, helping with issues like sunburn.
Helps with eczema and psoriasis
Dry, itchy skin is a common symptom of eczema and psoriasis, but the vitamins and antioxidants in avocado oil can help. It is important to test a small patch of skin first to make sure there are no unexpected reactions.
Possibly treat acne
The anti-inflammatory effects of avocado oil may be able to treat and possibly even prevent acne. When left on for short periods and then washed off with warm water, the oil keeps the skin hydrated without leaving an oily residue.
Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging
Our skin is usually the first noticeable part of our bodies to age, so putting off the signs of aging for as long as possible is everyone’s priority! Fortunately, the fatty acids in avocado oil help the skin retain its elasticity, which in turn slows the formation of wrinkles.
Improves nails and hair
The natural oils within avocados can help to keep nails and surrounding skin soft, whilst it reduces breakages, it can also heal dry and brittle nails. A dry, flaky scalp can also be treated with avocado oil, helping reduce dandruff and other similar problems.
What the research says
There have been thousands of academic research studies into the health benefits of avocado oil, resulting in a consensus among the scientific community. Vitamins such as A, D and E which are found in the oil have been proven to help moisturise and protect your skin from UV rays.
The fatty acids, beta carotene, lecithin, and proteins in avocado oil help increase collagen metabolism, which improves healing and fights the signs of ageing.
A 2003 study found that that avocado oil mixed in vitamin B-12 cream could ease eczema/psoriasis symptoms for a longer period than the traditional vitamin D-3 therapy.
How to use avocado oil for your skin
Avocado oil can be added to lotions and creams, or gently massaged into your skin. Adding a little to your shower gel or bath oil can do the trick, and it can be used every day, or as few as a couple of times a month.
Using avocado oil as a facial
Take a little avocado oil, add it to your moisturising cream and mix in well. Apply as normal before you go to bed, then wash it off the following morning.
Some people cut out the middleman and go directly to the source by scrapping the inside of an avocado peel and massaging it into their face!
Having a bath
To get a good all-over feeling, simply add a few tablespoons of avocado oil to your bath as it fills. You can mix it with your normal bath oil to leave your skin feeling soft all over, and it will also help prevent the hot water from drying out your skin.
As a moisturiser
You can use avocado oil on its own or mix it with other essential oils to create an all-over body oil. Massage it into your skin and then pat dry with a towel to keep your skin soft.
For hair and scalp
The trick here is to warm the avocado oil first before applying it to your hair.
Take 3-5 tablespoons of oil into a small glass or jar (a shot glass works well), and let it sit in some hot water. Keep an eye on the oil to make sure as it warms it doesn’t get too hot, and then massage into your scalp.
Leave it on overnight and wash it out in the morning with your normal shampoo. Over time you should start to see a difference in hair strength, shine, and less dandruff.
No matter what you use it for, choose the best avocado oil
Whether you’re using avocado oil for your skin or to cook up a delicious meal, you should always pick the best on the shelf.
We’ve talked before about the wide-ranging health benefits of avocados if you eat them, but using them as an external supplement to your appearance is equally impressive!
However, it’s important to remember that avocado oil is only as good as the avocados it’s made from.
The Olivado brand represents the highest quality.
From the trees our avocados are grown on, to the bottles our oil is served in, every step of our procedure is maintained to the highest standards.
This process allows us to keep the minerals, nutrients, and vitamins from the original fruit, and gain all the associated health benefits.
If you would like to know more about avocado oil, please don’t hesitate to contact us today with any questions, or pop on over to our pages on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to check out the latest news and promotions.