5 Beauty Treatments Using Avocado Oil
I’m a California girl through and through. I love avocados. In California, avocados are available year–round, plentiful and eaten like other people eat butter. I not only eat them and grow them, but I also use them to make DIY skin and hair beauty treatments, and even cook with avocado oil. You could say they are the ultimate plant–based superfood.
But what exactly is an avocado? For those who may be unfamiliar with this creamy, unctuous food, it is the fruit of the Persea americana tree that is native to Central America and grows primarily in the highland region of south–central Mexico. Mattias Lopez of REVIEWBOX Mexico commented of its many health benefits, “not only does avocado taste great (especially guacamole), it’s been proven to help with many ailments and improve our overall health. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more can all be combatted by including healthy fats in your diet like those found in avocados.”
Avocado Oil Health and Beauty Benefits
A little while back, we wrote a post on the health and beauty benefits of avocado oil. The oil is extracted by pressing the pulp of the fruit. It is a great source of Vitamins D, E and A. For centuries avocado oil has been used for skin and hair care by the Indigenous peoples of Central and South America.
This oil is excellent at lowering cholesterol, aiding in weight–loss and is even good for eye health. Due to its high nutrient content, it is still used in skin care products for dry, damaged and aging skin to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, and to lock in skin’s moisture. It is still used in hair care products for its essential fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid content.
Eating Avocado Oil
Due to its high smoking point, avocado oil can be used as cooking oil for baking, roasting, searing, sautéing, grilling, deep–fry, stir–fry and BBQ. A tablespoon of avocado oil can be added to smoothies. Drizzle a slice of cantaloupe with avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt. It is a great substitute for olive oil to dress salads. Add avocado oil to curries to enhance their flavor.
And don’t stop at just the oil of the avocado, the flesh of the fruit is equally as beneficial for health and beauty. Sliced, smashed, as guacamole, and even in sushi. Are all easy ways to add fresh avocado to your diet. With that in mind, we’ve put together 5 beauty DIY treatments using avocado oil that you can easily make at home and begin using right now. I love finding natural alternatives to store–bought mass–manufactured skincare; I make my own sugar scrubs, use fractionated MCT coconut oil to remove my makeup.
Facial Mask With Avocado Oil
When my skin becomes a bit pale or dull I make this facial mask using avocado oil.
Ingredients
- 1 medium or ½ large avocado
- 1 Tbsp. avocado oil
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Washcloth or hand towel
Directions
- Make a paste by mixing the avocado with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a bowl.
- Wash and dry face completely. Apply the avocado mask of all over the skin with the spatula, avoiding nose, eyes and mouth.
- Let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the avocado oil to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
- Soak a clean washcloth or hand towel in hot water and wring it out. Gently press the washcloth on the skin.
- Remove the avocado oil mask area by area by applying gentle pressure with the washcloth as if removing makeup, then soaking and wringing the washcloth again. Repeat this process until most traces of the mask are removed.
- Then rinse your face with tepid or cold water. Allow to air dry.
Age Spot Massage Lotion With Avocado Oil
The high concentration of sterolins in avocado oil treat age spots and moisturize the skin.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 Tbsp. castor oil
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Hand towel
Directions
- Mix 2 tablespoons castor and 2 tablespoons avocado oils in a bowl. Apply directly to age spots with the ring and pinky fingers.
- Gently massage the age spots with the oil mix and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Then use warm water to rinse off the oil mix. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Bath Oil Made With Avocado Oil
There’s nothing like a relaxing hot bath to recharge. A hot bath with avocado oil will also help to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Ingredients
- 2 cups avocado oil
- 1 cup almond oil
- 2 teabags
- 10 drops each chamomile, lavender and geranium essential oils (optional)
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Dark glass bottle with airtight lid
Directions
- Mix the oils. Heat 2 cups avocado oil and 1 cup almond oil in a saucepan. After removing pan from the heat, place 2 teabags into the mixture.
- Pour the essential oils of chamomile, lavender and geranium (if using) in the glass bottle. Once cooled, add the tea and oils mixture to the bottle. Then seal the bottle with the lid.
- Shake the bottle well and store in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight for 1 day.
- Run a hot bath with 2 ounces of the finished bath oil mixture poured into the water. Bathe as usual.
Moisturize Skin With Avocado Oil
Avocado oil can help soothe the itching and other symptoms of eczema since it has anti–inflammatory properties.
Ingredients
- Pure avocado oil
Directions
- Apply pure avocado oil directly to the skin.
- A small amount of avocado oil should be applied directly to any dry or problematic areas of the skin.
Make a Hair Shampoo with Avocado Oil
Avocado oil keeps hair healthy and nourished. It provides the hair shaft with moisture and shine.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of aloe vera
- ¼ cup castile soap
- ¼ tsp. avocado oil
- 1 tsp. vegetable glycerine
- Glass bottle with airtight lid
Directions
- Pour ¼ cup of aloe vera, ¼ cup of liquid castile soap, ¼ teaspoon of avocado oil and 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerine into a medium–sized glass bottle using a funnel.
- Close bottle and cap with airtight lid. Shake bottle vigorously and continuously for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour contents of the bottle, in parts or in their entirety as needed, directly on hair over the bathtub or the sink.
- Massage hair and scalp with the shampoo. Let it sit for another 3–5 minutes until it dries completely.
- Then rinse out with cool water.
Feel beautiful, healthy and happy through at–home spa–like experiences with our other skin care posts and hair care posts. Stay informed of new posts in this and other series by subscribing to our newsletter. Is there something interesting you use avocados for? Let us know in the comments below!