There’s no denying avocado reigns supreme on the favourite foods list. It’s a healthy fat and it’s delicious. What’s more, your complexion loves the bountiful nutrient profile of avocados.
Your skin drinks up avocado oil when it’s used as an ingredient in skincare, so whether you eat it or apply it, avocado’s impressive multi-tasking ability is a win-win. Indeed, all of an avocados tasty green goodness whets the appetite and promotes radiant vitality from the inside out.
Why is avocado so good for our complexion?
Both the flesh and the oil of the avocado brim with nutrients including folate, niacin, potassium, vitamins B6, C, E, and monounsaturated (healthy) fat. This is why a diet high in avocados ups your ‘glow’ as they nourish, replenish, repair and moisturise inside and outside.
According to the fabulous folk at The Avo Tree, “Avocado oil is the moisture-boosting, skin-strengthening solution to a healthy, youthful-looking face. As well as having anti-inflammatory effects that soothe blemishes and acne, vitamins C and E join forces with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin to fight free radicals. Carotenoids help the skin build stronger structures while improving brightness. And oleic acid, vitamins D and E and a nutrient called ‘D-mannoheptulose’ encourage cell turnover and collagen production — processes that slow down with age.”
There’s no arguing that this delicious fruit is incredibly versatile. Who doesn’t love to eat guacamole? You can also pour the oil over a salad or cook with it (it has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil), down an avocado oil capsule or moisturise with your avocado oil-based skincare.
Tip: Whether you’re looking for avocado oil for the pantry or as a skincare ingredient, choose versions that have been cold-pressed and are unrefined.
Five Skin-Loving Benefits Of Avocado
1.A High-Performing Moisturiser
Anyone who’s ever applied moisturiser to their skin knows how smooth and dewy it makes it look and feel. When it comes to an avocado oil-based moisturiser — in skincare science speak — it’s an emollient and acts as an occlusive. This means it softens the skin and provides a barrier that seals in hydration reducing what’s known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Or the natural evaporation of water from the skin. This makes it a great choice for all skin types, particularly very dry or damaged skin.
2. Antioxidant Power
Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants and help to keep skin looking its best as well as diminishing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants act like warriors. They neutralise and protect us from free radicals — destructive molecules produced by environmental factors such as damaging UV rays from the sun and pollution or lifestyle triggers such as smoking.
3. Anti-Inflammatory
It’s become widely known that inflammation is one of the key reasons behind premature ageing and many chronic illnesses. It’s even birthed the new term of ‘inflammaging’. Research has shown that avocados have formidable anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore be helpful not just for a more youthful complexion but also for inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema and dermatitis.
4. Promotes Collagen Synthesis
Collagen is a protein responsible for the plump look of the complexion and as we age its production slows down. Researchers have found avocado oil promotes an increase in soluble collagen content in the skin which contributes to overall suppleness and elasticity. It also forms a stronger skin barrier or protective layer.
5. Wound Healing
Studies have also found evidence of avocado oil’s wound healing benefits. The linoleic acid and oleic acid in avocados have shown exciting potential for repairing injured skin. Overall the science says avocado oil improves dermal metabolism and aids the complexion to maintain a good level of hydration and to look its best at any age.
