Avocado oil is delicious and healthy to cook with but did you know it can also be an essential part of your skincare routine?
Avocado oil is used in some of the best skin creams, moisturisers, and sunscreens due to its unique properties. This oil is rich in fatty acids like omega-3 and packed with vitamins A, D, and E.
Read on to find 8 ways this nutrient-rich oil will benefit your skin:
1. Moisturise and nourish your skin
Avocado oil contains a wide range of nutrients that help to moisturise your skin, such as vitamin E, potassium, and lecithin.
Your epidermis – the outer layer of skin – will easily absorb these nutrients, sending them to lower levels of the skin.
2. Relieve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis
People who suffer from eczema or psoriasis often find their skin becomes dry, irritated, and flaky. The unique blend of vitamins and antioxidants in avocado oil can help to relieve these symptoms naturally.
Before rubbing avocado oil into affected areas of your skin, do a patch test with a small amount. There’s always a small chance something in the oil may cause a mild allergic reaction.
3. Prevent acne and treat the symptoms
To avoid acne developing, you need to keep your skin hydrated, clean, and healthy. By applying avocado oil to your face and neck, letting it sit for a few minutes, then rinsing it off with warm water you’ll clean and hydrate your skin.
The anti-inflammatory effects of avocado oil can also reduce the symptoms of acne such as redness and swelling.
4. Heal more quickly
There’s evidence that avocado oil plays a role in the healing process. According to a study from 2013, the unique mix of fatty acids in avocado oil promotes collagen synthesis, which is an essential part of the way your body heals wounds.
These same acids also reduce inflammation, making the healing process easier and less painful.
5. Soothe sunburned skin
Next time you get sunburned, try rubbing some avocado oil into the affected area. The oil can help to soothe the painful inflammation and actually boost your body’s healing process.
This has been effective for many people, and it’s backed up by science – a 2011 review explored the ways the vitamins E and D, beta carotene, proteins, lecithin, and fatty oils and acids in avocado oil support healing and soothe skin.
There is also evidence that consuming avocados may help to protect the skin from UV radiation in the first place.
6. Reverse the signs of ageing
Your skin is often the first place that ageing becomes visible. As you age, your skin becomes less elastic, starting to sag and wrinkle.
Studies have shown that consuming the healthful fats in avocados – and other foods such as salmon – can slow down this process and help your skin retain elasticity.
It seems likely that applying avocado oil directly to your skin has similar effects, although this has not been researched thoroughly.
7. Boost the health of your nails
Avocado oil can also be used to soften cuticles and strengthen nails. The potassium in avocado oil boosts keratin content, strengthening your nails.
At the same time, the high volume of vitamin E provide a natural luster for your nails and encourages healthy growth.
Avocado oil will also keep your cuticles and the skin around your nails moisturised and healthy – say goodbye to cracked, peeling cuticles.
8. Improve your scalp health
Applying avocado oil to your scalp will keep it moisturised and reduce dry, flaky skin – that means less dandruff!
Avocado is also great for your hair, providing a rich sheen and encouraging growth.
Extra tips
How to add avocado oil to your routine
Avocado oil can be massaged into the skin, used in a face mask, or added to lotions, creams, shower gels, or bath oils. Here are some great ways to start bringing avocado oil into your skincare routine:
Use avocado peel as a moisturiser
If you eat avocados every day, keep the peel to the side. You can use the peel later to apply avocado directly to your face by gently massaging it into your skin. After applying, leave for around 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Bottled avocado oil can also be used to moisture the face before sleep. Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning. If you are looking for a ready to go product try Okana’s Avocado Smash Body Butter.
Add to your bath
Hot baths feels great, but they can dry out your skin when you get out. To avoid this, simply add a few tablespoons of avocado oil to your bath to leave your whole body soft and moisturised.
Try mixing it with other oils such as lavender or aloe vera for additional benefits.
Hot oil treatment for your scalp
Massage hot avocado oil through your hair using a hot oil treatment.
Pour 3-5 tablespoons of avocado oil into a small glass jar, then place the jar in boiling water. Be sure to check the temperature regularly – you want it to get quite warm, but not too hot.
When the oil is pleasantly warm and running smoothly, gently massage it into your scalp. Leave the oil overnight and shampoo in the morning.
Soften rough, dry skin
If you have rough, dry skin or patches of eczema or psoriasis, you can use avocado oil to treat them.
Simply mix equal parts avocado and olive oil, then apply the mixture once or twice every day.
You can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil if you want to create a pleasant aroma for your mixture.
More benefits of avocado oil
As well as being great for your skin, avocado oil has health benefits for your whole system, from reducing cholesterol to preventing diabetes.
According to a study carried out in 2017, the oleic acid in avocado oil can help prevent kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes.
Oleic acid is also known for other benefits, such as:
- Lowering the risk of certain types of cancer
- Reducing autoimmune disease flare-ups
- Promoting cell regeneration for faster healing
- Helping to eliminate microbial infections
- Reducing inflammation through the entire body