Introduction
Avocado is an exotic fruit deserving of its status as a superfood as it is packed with essential nutrients that are excellent for health, skin, and hair.
Avocados rank among the tastiest and most adaptable healthy dietary options. This delicious fruit can be taken in several ways, whether we use them on a sandwich, add them to a salad or smoothie, or make guacamole. Avocado is not just toast and guacamole. They can also be made into face masks.
This appetising, buttery superfood is healthy and filled with nutrients, vitamins, and omega fatty acids. Adding avocados to homemade face masks and using avocado products can have positive effects on the skin. They may act as a skin conditioner and soften and calm the skin.
Avocado benefits for skin
The skin-rejuvenating properties of avocado are one of the main benefits of eating the fruit. The abundance of fatty acids, essential vitamins, and minerals that are good for the skin are present in them.
Alpha-linolenic acid, an important omega-3 fatty acid and antioxidant in avocado has been linked to a reduction in skin damage resulting from external stressors like the sun.
This green fruit has high vitamin C content, which may help to activate collagen (the protein that contributes to skin strength and suppleness). Avocados also contain a high proportion of monounsaturated fats, which helps minimise oxidative stress and inflammation. Niacin, vitamin E, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds are other nutrients found in the fruit that are linked to better skin health.
Hydrates and moisturises
Avocados contribute to the deep moisturising and conditioning of the skin as they are a powerful source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Consuming avocados frequently will result in incredibly smooth and soft skin.
This fruit is also incredibly moisturising and protects the skin from UV damage since it is packed with vitamins A, D, and E. All these elements help to maintain healthy, moisturised skin.
Skin hydration, flexibility and durability are maintained by retaining water. It is vital to maintain a good skin barrier. Oil from foods like avocados can be beneficial in preserving this layer of defence. The linoleic and oleic acids work together to maintain the skin's health.
It helps prevent skin damage
While out in the sun, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the skin. The skin serves as the body's main barrier against harmful radiation, but it, too, can be harmful by excessive sun exposure.
Avocados have the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which work to block this type of radiation.
Provides anti-ageing benefits
The buttery fruit, avocado, is very nourishing since they contain vitamin E, which improves skin hydration and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Chlorophyll, the substance that gives avocados their attractive green colour, has antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from environmental triggers that might harm it and speed up ageing.
Finally, this fruit can promote collagen formation, which contributes to maintaining the elasticity of the skin.
Fights acne
It is surprising that acne-prone skin can benefit greatly from this superfood. Since avocados have antibacterial properties, adding mashed avocados to a face mask or dabbing a little avocado oil on the face will significantly reduce acne. Avocados are also high in lauric acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in the treatment of acne.
Improves skin health
Healthy skin includes balancing moisture, controlling inflammation, creating a natural barrier against toxins from the outside, maintaining skin flexibility, and promoting healing.
However, avocados can also increase the synthesis of other vital components of healthy skin, such as collagen. Every drop of avocado oil has one ounce of protection.
This superfood helps keep flare-ups and skin irritation under control.
Strengthens skin barrier
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are plentiful in avocados. These two components play a crucial role in the formation of the skin's natural lipid layer. A weakened lipid layer may result in problems such as excessive dryness, acne and sun damage.
Avocados also promote skin regeneration and restoration since they contain linoleic and oleic acids. Therefore, avocados help in enhancing the barrier function of the skin and maintaining its health and radiance.
Benefits of avocado for skin conditions
Dry skin
Avocados are a good source of biotin, a B complex vitamin. Avocado oil's biotin can help treat dry skin when used topically.
Skin peeling
The skin may start to flake if it gets too dry. Keep the skin hydrated naturally by using avocado oil, which also supports the skin's ability to heal itself.
Avocado-based products can also naturally exfoliate the skin, clearing dead skin cells and clogged pores. They can simultaneously hydrate skin and promote its regeneration.
Dry scalp
Avocado can aid with scalp conditions such as cradle cap, dry scalp, and dandruff. A healthier scalp can reduce dryness and enhance general skin health.
Eczema
Eczema, commonly referred to as dermatitis, can refer to skin swellings. It is characterised by rashes and dry, itchy skin. Many irritants, including soaps, textiles, and chemicals in personal care items, may cause them to flare up.
Scratching an outbreak will worsen the skin's expansion and itching more. Avocado extracts can help ease the symptoms of eczema by moisturising the skin and easing the itching.
Eczema is a difficult condition to treat. Use the proper moisturiser and keep an eye on the surroundings to spot any potential irritants that we can keep away from.
Sunburn
Avocado oil helps ease sunburn symptoms by calming skin, restoring hydration, and providing an oily layer of protection.
Naturally, preventing sunburn is preferable to managing its effects. Choosing sunscreens with SPF 50 can provide safe sun protection.
Avocado Oil and extract role in skincare
It is vital to understand the differentiation between avocado oil and avocado extract. Both are made from the avocado fruit. The outer peel, edible meat, and the pit of the avocado fruit are combined to form the dry pulp from which the oil is extracted.
The fruit and leaves of the avocado plant are commonly used to make avocado extract.
Avocado oil is used in skincare. The vitamins C, A, and E are abundant, as are monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. Due to the oil's high-fat content, it works well in skincare products intended for dry or cracked skin.
A balanced diet should contain avocado oil, which is also edible and has significant health benefits.
Avocado face masks
Avocado and honey face mask
Ingredients
- Avocado - 3/4 of medium size
- Honey - 1 tablespoon
How to use it?
- Mix avocado and raw honey in a bowl.
- Apply the avocado mixture to the face and let it dry for 20 minutes.
- Wash the face in warm water and dry it with a towel.
- Use the mask twice or three times per week.
- This face mask is ideal for dry skin.
Avocado and yoghurt face mask
The causes of rough skin are numerous. Uneven skin texture can be caused by dry skin, acne, and open pores. The avocado and yoghurt mask can revitalise the skin and make it smooth and supple.
Ingredients
- Avocado - 1/14 of medium size
- Yoghurt - 1 tablespoon
How to use it?
- Combine avocado and yoghurt in a cup.
- Apply the pack to the face and wait for 20 minutes.
- Wash with water and pat the skin dry.
- Use this twice every week.
Avocado and egg white face mask
Skin starts to lose its flexibility with time. Losing too much weight too rapidly might also lead to loose skin. Keep the skin tight and supple by massaging it and using a skin-tightening face mask with avocado.
Ingredients
- Avocado - 1/4 of medium size
- Egg white of 1 egg
How to use it?
- Combine 1/4 of a medium avocado with the egg white.
- Apply this on the face.
- Wash after 20 minutes by massaging the skin.
- Use cold water to wash, and pat dry the skin with a towel.
- Use a moisturiser.
- Do this thrice a week for the best results.
Conclusion
Using avocado as a part of the skincare regimen boosts, protects, hydrates and nourishes the skin. Use avocado as an exfoliator, a face mask, or a facial scrub to get the most benefit out of it.
Determine the ways to include it in the skincare routine according to the skin type to get the most out of avocado.
