Introduction
To have clear, moisturized skin is one of the biggest confidence boosters a person can have.
You can add avocado oil to your beauty routine to provide many skin-boosting effects, so read on below for the top ten skin benefits of avocado oil.
The Benefits of Avocado Oil to Your Integument
1. Anti-Aging Benefits
Avocado oil for the skin may provide a reduction in the signs of aging by diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. One study showed that creams containing avocado oil significantly can reduce deep facial creases, increase elasticity, and give the skin a fresher and more rejuvenated appearance.
2. Assists in Wound Healing
Avocado oil for the skin has been shown to assist in wound healing[1] as it has natural antioxidants. Avocado oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
When used topically, avocado oil for the skin can reduce the redness around the wound site and increase the healing rate, so it may mean that a wound could heal faster with the addition of the oil.
3. Improves Dry Skin
Avocado oil for the skin has masses of natural oils that are beneficial for improving the feel and appearance of dry skin and its associated conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis.
While it is not a medically provided solution to these skin complaints, it can help to moisturize the skin intensely and improve the appearance of dry skin and any associated skin conditions.
4. Protects & Repairs from Sun Damage
Avocado oil for the skin contains polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, and this is important in skincare as it provides an extra layer of protection against the skin damage[2] caused by UV rays.
Because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties, avocado oil for the skin is also perfect for soothing the damage caused by sunburn. In addition to its protective effects, it reduces the redness and associated swelling and irritation that happens when the structure of the skin cells is harmed due to prolonged sun exposure.
5. May Help Improve Acne
One of the greatest benefits of avocado oil is its high-level content of vitamin A derivative Beta-Carotene, which is a very effective antioxidant. This could be helpful in people who suffer from acne to reduce redness and swelling of affected areas and help smooth the surface of the skin for a clearer complexion.
6. Intensely Moisturizing
Avocado oil for the skin may help to moisturize everywhere on the body intensely. It can penetrate and soften the layers of the skin while also attracting and trapping the moisture available in the atmosphere and within the skin to provide volume and longer-lasting moisturization. It is known as a humectant.
7. Reduces Skin Surface Inflammation
Among the many benefits of avocado oil is its ability to reduce the inflammation[3] on the skin’s surface due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
You could use this oil to relieve the irritation caused by insect bites, stings, and skin rashes and can provide a protective barrier over the damaged area to promote further healing.
8. Improves Scalp Health & Scalp Conditions
Due to its intense moisturizing abilities, the avocado oil health benefits may also assist people who suffer from dry scalp conditions such as dandruff, scalp psoriasis, or scaly and thick scalp skin, which can be itchy and uncomfortable.
Adding a few drops of avocado oil to your favorite shampoo can help to deeply moisturize the scalp and improve the feel of the tight skin. It may also reduce the irritation that dry scalp skin may cause.
9. Protects Against Environmental Damage
Avocado oil is full of antioxidant ingredients, such as Vitamin E, that are known to attract and absorb free radicals in the atmosphere that can cause damage to the surface layers of the skin. This can promote good skin health against things you cannot necessarily see that can cause damage to the skin’s integrity.
10. Reduces the Rate of Collagen Breakdown
Avocado oil for the skin may help reduce the rate at which collagen breaks down within the skin. When collagen disintegrates, you can start to lose elasticity, which could accumulate in fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Avocado oil for the skin may preserve collagen levels, promoting a smoother appearance to the skin’s surface.
How Can You Use Avocado Oil in Your Routine?
There are many ways you can introduce the benefits of avocado oil into your skincare routine. Avocado oil is incredibly versatile and can be used with all of your other beauty products to give you additional skincare benefits.
Below are some suggestions on how you can incorporate it within your regular beauty regimen:
1. As A Moisturizing Bath Oil
Avocado oil can be used directly in your bathwater to produce an intensely hydrating and skin softening bath. It can also be added to your favorite bubble bath, so you have it in there, ready for every bath.
By adding a few tablespoons of avocado oil directly under the hot running water, you will create a bath that leaves your skin deeply moisturized and feeling soft and supple.
2. As A Face and Body Moisturizer
Avocado oil for the skin as a facial moisturizer will leave your face and neck area feeling soft and protected.
You can add this element into your usual beauty regimen by adding a few drops of avocado oil to your regular moisturizer and using it as you would typically do. This will give your skin the added antioxidant benefits and intense moisturized feeling.
3. As A Hot-Oil Scalp Treatment
To provide some relief from a dry and itchy scalp, you can use avocado oil as a hot oil treatment, which will leave your scalp feeling less irritated and less flakey.
You can achieve this as a pre-wash treatment before shampooing by placing a few tablespoons of avocado oil in a small dish or a dispensing bottle and warming it gently in hot water for a few minutes. Then apply directly to your scalp and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse through and shampoo as usual.
Alternatively, this treatment can be left overnight for a deeper treatment and shampooed out in the morning.
4. As A Direct Treatment for Rashes and Bites
Avocado oil can be used directly on the skin if there is an insect bite, sting, or rash that appears.
By dabbing the oil directly on the skin using cotton wool, you can surround the affected area and leave for a few minutes so that the anti-inflammatory properties can work to reduce the swelling and irritation. Once the site is sufficiently calmed, you can remove the cotton and rinse the area clean of any residue.
5. As A Direct Treatment for Hard Skin
Avocado oil can be used directly on dry and hard skin areas you may have, such as heels, knees, and elbows.
Using a few drops of avocado oil with olive oil and applying it twice daily, morning and night, you may start to see the hard skin areas becoming softer and less irritated.
What Are the Other Health Benefits of Avocado Oil?
There are lots of avocado oil health benefits that you can also find concerning general health.
Avocado oil is full of Oleic Acid[4], which has been studied extensively within cancer studies, showing that oleic acid may reduce the production and reproduction of potential cancer cells.
When looking at avocado oil from a dietary perspective, it may be beneficial for improving insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetics, which could be due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Having a diet rich in healthy fats can also positively impact weight management if you are trying to lose weight. The Mediterranean Diet is superb for incorporating these healthy fats.
Along with the benefits of avocado oil, diets high in essential fatty acids such as Oleic Acids are reported to positively impact heart health. They could potentially lower cholesterol levels when introduced in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Avocado oil specifically can also be used as a conditioning treatment for hard-to-manage hair to help restore the condition and shine of the rougher hair types. It can also be used to condition nails on both feet and hands and restore some moisture into the nail beds, which can become dry and cracked by doing normal daily activities.
What Are the Risks and Warnings Surrounding Avocado Oil?
Although there are no stark warnings around the use of avocado oil for the skin, it is always sensible to conduct a patch test before incorporating any new elements into a skincare routine or undertaking a new treatment at least 48 hours before using the product for its intended purpose.
Always take care when using new products to use as directed by the manufacturer, and if any irritation or adverse side effects are caused, discontinue use and seek medical advice where appropriate.
Conclusion
When looking at the benefits of avocado oil, we can see that it has many benefits when using it as part of an existing skincare regimen.
It is incredibly versatile and can be added to most of your existing beauty products to give you some added antioxidant and moisturizing properties. You can also add it to other oils, such as olive oil and essential oils, to create different effects.
You can also use it as part of a hair care regimen and treat your cuticles and nails too!
Avocado oil is readily available and comes in a liquid form in bottles, and can be used longer-term to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and create a smoother appearance to the skin.
