Would You Put Avocado Oil On Your Face? It Might Just Be What Your Skin Needs
We’re aware that avocados are a bit 2017 and a dash basic, but bear with us, because the benefits you might not know about - for your body, health and skin rather than your breakfast - could give you a new found love for the over-exposed fruit (yes we did have to Google whether it was a fruit or a vegetable…).
What is avocado oil?
A natural by-product, it comes from the pressed pulp of the avocado. Commonly used in the food world, it’s high in fat like olive oil, but unlike that peppery oil it has a mild, smooth and buttery taste. You might not have it in your kitchen cupboard yet, but it could soon become a staple: the global market value is currently estimated to be around $453million, forecasted to leap to $646million by 2026.
This rise is thought to be in part due to avocado oil being embraced by beauty brands due to it’s skin-boosting benefits.
What are avocado oil's benefits for your health?
Where do we start? Avocado oil is basically bursting at the seams with nutritional benefits. 'They're a fantastic nutrient dense food source', says nutritionist Gabriela Peacock, 'packed full of healthy monounsaturated fats, high in energy and micro-nutrients'.
These include, but aren't limited to vitamins A, B, C and D, the antioxidant vitamin E, minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper and potassium, as well as omega-3 and beta-carotene, AND it's brimming with fatty acids. Phew.
'All these nutrients can help to support healthy systems functions when consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet', says Peacock. This cocktail of goodness has benefits for heart health via reducing cholesterol, improving eye health, and combating inflammation (so can soothe problems like arthritis) from the inside out. Slathered on your skin, however, the changes could be truly tangible.
What are the benefits of avocado oil for your skin?
The delicious combination of vitamins and antioxidants are saviours for sorry looking skin. The fatty acids, for example, are key for regenerating, rebuilding and giving it a bouncy boost. The high dose of phytosterols (plant compounds) in the oil help to prevent loss of moisture and keep skin hydrated, and the antioxidants will work to neutralise free radicals that attack skin cells.
Suffer from psoriasis or eczema? Contained in a cream, the nutritious and moisture-boosting oil has been proven to reduce symptoms dramatically. Even if you’ve got the clearest canvas, we’ll all suffer from collagen loss over time, so even if you’re not suffering from skin troubles, the oil and its abundance of fatty acids and vitamin C can help promote collagen production to keep things plump.
Gabriela says the benefits are undeniable: 'Using it topically can allow the oils to soften and hydrate the skin from the outside making it appear plumper and brighter. And it's completely natural: no chemicals, additives or perfumes.'
Sure, a serum boosted with avocado oil might not be as 'Grammable as when it's smashed on sourdough, but your face will thank you for the superfood upgrade.
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