Avocado For the Skin
Have you ever wondered what could be one of Mother Nature’s best finds in her treasury of wellness? Avocado! Slice an avocado fruit and you have just unveiled a goldmine of goodness and health-giving stuff. This delicious tropical fruit contains a variety of medicinal properties – from a potent anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant to a useful remedy for menstrual problems, weight regulation, name it – and avocado has it. Skin care? Of course!
Avocado has gained a wide recognition in the world of cosmetics. As people are shifting from synthetic cosmetic products to organic-based products, avocado has been used as a safe regimen for skin care. Why avocado? Literature shows that this luscious fruit offers many benefits for its oils as well as other skin protective compounds found abundant in its meat.
In skin care, the two major advantages of the avocado are its marked softening and soothing nature and its notable absorption. Compared with almond, corn, olive, and soybean oils, avocado oil had the highest skin penetration rate (Swisher, 1988 in Regenerative Nutrition). In sunscreens, chemicals like PABA have superior effectiveness but cause skin irritation in some people. Because they are synthetic, there are lingering questions about long-term safety. Among eight plant oils, avocado oil proved the most effective sunscreen. One of the great advantages of avocado oil is that its hydrating ability is excellent as is easily and deeply absorbed into the skin. Its ability to retain water on top of it other chemical properties, its oil acts as an emollient, and promotes soft and supple tissue. Itchiness due to dry skin can be resolved using avocado-based lotions and cosmetics.
Because avocado is great for skin care, here are some simple recipes that you can prepare:
- Facial Cleanser
If you are often exposed to pollution, this formula is for you as it is effective against grime that interferes with normal skin function. You can prepare this facial cleansing formula every other day and refrigerate between uses.
Ingredients: egg, ½ cup milk, half-ripe peeled avocado (mashed)
Beat the yolk of an egg until light and frothy. Add ½ cup milk and mashed half of a ripe peeled avocado. Using a blender or fork, beat to a thin cream or lotion-like consistency. For dry or sensitive skin, apply with cotton squares as you would any cleanser. For normal skin, you may also use after cleansing with soap and water.
- Facial Mask
Say goodbye to dry skin by preparing your own facial mask. Mash half avocado and apply it on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
You can also make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water.
Here is another recipe to help revitalize dry and sensitive skin. Beat the yolk of an egg until light and frothy. Blend in the mashed pulp of ½ ripe avocado till smooth and creamy. Cleanse your face and neck thoroughly, pat dry and apply the mixture evenly.
- Mask for Oily Skin
If your oily skin bothers you, avocados are ideal for you because of the monounsaturated fat that won’t clog pores. The prepare this skin mask, you would need the following ingredients: egg, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, mashed pulp of ½ ripe avocado.
Blend the white of an egg with one teaspoon fresh lemon juice and the mashed pulp of ½ ripe avocado until frothy green. Cleanse your face and neck thoroughly, pat dry and apply mask evenly. Lie down and relax for about 20 minutes. Remove with clear tepid water and a soft face cloth, followed by a cold astringent or skin tonic.
- Facial Scrub
You would need 2 tbsp. flax seeds, 1/2 mashed banana and 1/2 avocado peel. Use a small bowl to mix flax seeds and banana. Scoop the banana and flax seeds by using avocado peel. Massage this scoop on your face in circular motion, slowly and gently. Rinse it with warm water.
- Puffed Eyes
Cut avocado into slices and place it under each eye and relax with it for next 20 minutes. Note the remarkable changes.
- Eye Cream
Ingredients: almond oil, 3 ripe slices of avocado
To make an eye cream mix 5 drops of almond oil in 3 ripe slices of avocado. Blend this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it for five minutes then rinse.
Another method of making the eye cream is by using 1/4 cup avocado oil with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. You could also use apricot kernel, grape seed or sesame oil.
- Avocado moisturizer
Don’t throw the avocado peel as you can use this to make moisturizer. The inside of the peel contains humectants – these are precious oils that help your skin hold in moisture. Here’s how:
For daytime use, lightly massage your face with the inside of the peel using gentle upward strokes. Allow the residue to stay on your skin for about 15 minutes. Gently rinse your face three to four times in tepid water and pat dry. You won’t notice the oil, but its presence is assured in your skin. This will hold your foundation or powder in place for hours.
As an overnight moisturizer, apply the residue on your skin. Lie down and relax for about 20 minutes. Remove with clear tepid water and a soft face cloth, followed by a cold water rinse or a mild skin lotion.
Smooth and beautiful hands
Ingredients: ¼ peeled and mashed avocado, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. oatmeal, 1 tsp. lemon juice.
Make a paste by mixing 1/4 peeled and mashed avocado, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply this paste on your hand and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and pat it dry. You would be thrilled by the results by using it regularly.
Sources:
“Avocados” Regenerative Nutrition. http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=443
“Avocados for Beauty” Australian Avocados. http://www.avocado.org.au/recipes/beauty_recipes.aspx
“Avocado Great for Skin Care“. The Free Library. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Avocado+Great+for+Skin+Care-a01073768637
“Why is Avocado Oil Good for the Skin?” Livestrong.com. http://www.livestrong.com/article/256792-why-is-avocado-oil-good-for-the-skin/
