Did you know?
Avocado is also called alligator pear, because of its rocky skin and pear-like shape.Avocado oil comes from the fruit avocado, and is an edible oil. Other than its cooking purposes, you can use this oil for natural skin care. Avocado oil contains vitamin E, which helps to maintain a smooth and clear complexion.
Many people use avocado fruit for many face pack and skin treatments. However, cutting and scooping the fruit to use it for skin treatments can get tedious. Instead, you can use oil of avocado for such skin treatments.
Here, are the various skin benefits of this oil.
Avocado Oil Benefits Avocado oil gives a soothing and softening effect to the skin.
This oil is also used as a massage oil.
It is also used to treat cramps, and used in body lotions and hair care products.
Avocado oil contains vitamins A, D, and E and provides a soothing effect to skin, but it is especially good for dry skin and aging skin.
This oil is high in sterolin, and studies show that sterolin reduces the occurrence of age spots and help to softens the skin.
Oil from avocado is very helpful for dry and itchy skin.
It also increases the production of collagen, and prevents aging of the skin.
It is very good for healing and soothing diaper rash.
You can use this oil for scaly skin and scalp treatment.
This oil is good for natural skin care, as it greatly penetrates the skin, and helps to keep the skin well-moisturized.
It is also very helpful in skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and solar keratosis.
This oil helps to heal skin burns and wounds faster.
It is widely known that fish oil has omega-3 essential fatty acids, but did you know that omega-3 is also found in avocado oil? So, one can benefit from its omega-3 content by using the oil for cooking purposes, or by topical application.
Regular application of this oil can stimulate hair growth.
As this oil is rich in antioxidants, it can help to fight sun damage caused to the skin.
It is a great oil that can be added to lotions and body butters, to increase their benefits.
Uses and Beneficial BlendsBefore you start using avocado oil, make sure you do an allergy test. Take 2-3 drops of avocado oil and rub it over your arm. Wait for one day to check for side effects. If you have any side effects, do not use this oil. However, if no side effects manifest, then go ahead and use it.
Facial Moisturizer
This is a good method which helps in facial skin care. There is hidden oil in the peel of the avocado fruit, the oil has a humectant which holds moisture. With gentle upward strokes, massage your face with the inside of the peel, and let it stay for 15 minutes. You can leave the oil overnight, and wash your face in the morning. Make sure you scoop out the fruit and use it for salad, so that the pulpy fruit part doesn't go to waste.
Soothing Bath
In a pan, warm-up 2 cups of avocado oil, with 1 cup of almond oil. Remove from the stove and add 2 green tea bags, and keep them till the solution becomes cool. Remove the tea bags and add 2 drops of rose oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, 4 drops of ylang ylang, and 8 drops of chamomile oil. Store the solution in an amber bottle for 24 hours, so that the oils blend well. For a sensuous bath experience, add 2 ounces of this oil mix to your bath water.
After Bath Moisturizer
You can also use avocado oil as an after bath moisturizer. Mix 1 part of avocado oil with 1 part of almond oil and 1 part of jojoba oil. Add few drops of orange essential oil to the mix, to make the oil mix smell fruity and fresh. Pour the mix in a bottle and keep it in the bathroom. After you are done taking bath, pat your skin dry, and apply this oil mix all over the body to keep it soft and well-moisturized. This mix can help you get rid of eczema.
Scalp Skin Care
Those who have dry scalp can use avocado oil for head massage and hot oil treatment. Did you know that this oil can actually penetrate the hair shaft? So, in a bowl take 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Warm this oil and use it to massage the scalp. Leave it overnight, and shampoo hair in the morning. Doing this oil treatment regularly will help you get rid of dandruff and make the hair softer too!
Dry Skin Care
If you have rough, dry, and dehydrated skin then mix avocado oil with olive oil. These carrier oils blend well and regular application will help rejuvenate the skin. Apply the mix at least twice a day. If you want, you can add few drops of an essential oil like lavender, orange, or jasmine to add fragrance to the mix.
Cooking with Avocado OilAvocado oil is similar to olive oil when it comes to nutritional value. However, it is a lighter oil and doesn't taste bitter like olive oil. You can use it for salad dressings or as a condiment. Research shows that avocado oil or fresh avocado when added to a salad helps to absorb carotenoid antioxidants better. Apart from this avocado offers many other health benefits when taken internally. It is good for your heart, helps to regulate blood sugar levels and the antioxidants aid in cancer prevention. Eating fresh avocados or adding the oil to salads will provide long-term benefits for your skin. So, you can topically apply the oil, or use it in your kitchen, and it will still do wonders for your skin.
Shopping TipsBuy organic and unrefined avocado oil, this way you will be buying a nutrient-rich oil which offers better health benefits. You can buy a 16oz bottle of unrefined avocado oil around USD 30. For culinary purposes you can buy avocado oil which is blended with garlic or olive oil. If you want, you can also buy avocado oil blends.
So, grab a bottle of avocado oil from your nearest health store, and try the above blends to moisturize your skin!
