The health benefits of avocado have been recognised throughout the world. The green fruit is full of nutrients like antioxidants, minerals, carotenoids, protein, fibre, phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids, the benefits of avocado are seemingly endless. Actually, there are few foods better for your skin and hair than avocado.
The magnitude of avocados health benefits is certainly not independent of their nutrient density. Proteins, potassium, vitamins E, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, fibre, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper to name a just a few. One of their main compounds beneficial for health are polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3 and mono-unsaturated fats. Kind of makes you want to go on an all-avocado diet, right? (Or maybe even bathe in them.)
We know avocados have many beauty benefits on the inside. They’re full of vitamins and antioxidants that fight off skin-damaging free radicals. Plus, avocados are a good source of biotin, which strengthens hair and nails and improves dry skin.
Here are just a few ways to use avos for beauty care
1. Keeping skin away from dryness
Avos are also deeply nourishing when applied to the skin. The high fat content hydrates dry skin and helps maintain moisture in the epidermal layer of the skin, keeping it
soft. The omega-fatty acids soothe inflammation, facial redness and irritation. Make sure to use the dark green flesh near the skin of the avocado where the nutrients are most concentrated.
Our Remedy
Avocado leftovers
1tsp honey
1tsp freshly squeezed orange juice
Smash the avocado leftovers you did not use on your salad or smoothie with a spoon until completely smooth. Then add a little bit of honey and squeezed orange juice (like a teaspoon) to the mixture and whisk until you get a soft paste. To avoid lumps in the mask sieve it through a strainer. Apply the mixture with a mask brush and leave it for 10-20 min. Rinse off with lukewarm water and feel how silky is your skin!
2. Preventing dry hair
Avocados are extremely moisturising and nourishing because they contain natural oils - both polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (the “good” fats). While these oils can be beneficial to all hair types, they’re especially helpful for dry and dehydrated hair.
Our Remedy
1 full avocado
1 tbsp of jojoba oil
1tbsp coconut oil
1tbsp argan oil
For smooth, shiny hair, use a fork to smash the avocado, add the rest of ingredients and mix together until you get a liquid mask. To avoid lumps in the mask sieve it through a strainer. You can also add a tsp of lemon juice.
Coconut oil has been shown to absorb easily into hair and protect the strands from outside damage. Argan oil is popularly used to moisturise skin and hair. Some research indicates the fatty acids in argan oil may support healthy, hydrated skin and reduce hair damage. Jojoba oil can be a great addition to your hair care regimen. It enhances the act of conditioning your hair, leaving it with better strength, shine, and manageability.
Apply the mixture starting at the ends and work your way up to the scalp. Leave it for 30 minutes, cover your head with a shower cap. Wash your hair as usual. I use this mask 3 times/year and the results are outstanding!
3. Blocking Premature Ageing
We know avocados have beauty benefits on the inside. They are full of vitamins A and E and antioxidants that fight off skin-damaging free radicals. Plus, avocados are good source of biotin, which strengthens hair and nails and improves dry skin. Avocados are also deeply nourishing when applied to the skin. The high fat content hydrates dry skin and helps maintain moisture in the epidermal layer of the skin, keeping it soft. The omega-fatty acids soothe inflammation, facial redness and irritation. Make sure to use the dark green flesh near the skin of the avocado where the nutrients are most concentrated.
Combining spirulina with avocado makes a skin-soothing face mask that evens out skin tone and calms skin irritation. Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is a rich source of antioxidants like selenium, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E that help reduce inflammation. It’s also rich in amino acids to fight bacteria, which can help with acne.
Our Remedy
½ avocado
1 tsp spirulina or the content of 2 capsules
1 tsp avocado oil (optional for conditioning and liquefying the mask)
Mix the ingredients until you get a soft paste. To avoid lumps in the mask sieve it through a strainer. Apply the mixture with a mask brush and leave it for 10-20 min. Rinse off with lukewarm water
4. Fading Pigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation refers to darkened areas of skin often due to acne, age, or sun damage. Dermatological treatments can help reduce hyper-pigmentation, but they tend to be expensive. You can save money and even out your skin tone with a DIY avocado & turmeric mask, which also lessens inflammation.
Our Remedy
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 avocado
1 to 2 tbsp. raw honey
Mix all ingredients in a bowl to create a paste. Gently massage the paste over your face. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
5. Reducing Wrinkles
Regular facial treatments can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promote tighter, firmer skin. Use avocados and cocoa powder to stimulate collagen production, and honey to moisturise and soften skin.
Our Remedy
2 avocados
1 tbsp. raw honey
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
Mash the avocados in a bowl and then add the cocoa powder and honey. Gently massage the mask over your face. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.
Avocados have a creamy, rich, fatty texture and blend well with other ingredients. Therefore, it’s easy to add this fruit to your diet as well as to your skin care routine. And there you have it - no more avocados left to their fate of turning brown in your fridge, plus your skin is going to look amazing. Avocados really are a super fruit!
Glow naturally,
Sonia x
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