Avocados have become an American staple. Our appetite for the avocado has grown exponentially since 2000 and for good reason. They’re one of the tastiest, most versatile superfoods out there. From toast to burritos and everything in between, we love adding this creamy fruit to our meals. Avocados are loaded with healthy fats and other nutrients (hello, vitamins B, C, E and K!) so you can indulge in this green buttery goodness without the guilt. Besides how great they are when consumed, avocados have a ton of great benefits when used on your skin, hair and nails.
Avocado Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair
The oil extracted from the flesh of an avocado happens to be an awesome addition to pump up your beauty routine. With hydrating effects and nourishing components, avocado oil is making its way into lotions, lippies, hair conditioners and more. It’s time to stop thinking of avocados as an add-on to your meal and start putting them front and center of your beauty regimen. Here are some of the notable avocado oil benefits for skin and hair.
Gently Moisturizes: In one study, avocado oil proved to be an effective topical treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis, with its benefits remaining constant during the entire observation period. For those with itchy, dry, sensitive skin, avocado oil offers gentle, non-irritating relief.
Promotes Skin Healing: Because of its rich content of oleic acid and essential fatty acids, avocado oil is being considered as a viable option for treating skin wounds. A recent study on wound healing in rats found that using avocado oil topically led to increased collagen synthesis and decreased inflammation.
Stimulates Collagen Production: In addition to its topical benefits on collagen, avocado oil can stimulate collagen production from within. Another study shows that consuming avocado oil leads to significant increases in soluble collagen content in skin.
Slows Down Skin's Aging: Exposure to environmental pollution and sun damage are two of the top causes of aging skin. Avocado oil contains some of the highest concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin of any fruit or vegetable, which may help protect the skin from sun damage (from both UV and visible radiation). Plus, studies also show that consuming avocado is significantly associated with greater skin elasticity and fewer wrinkles—thanks to the abundance of vitamins and healthy fats.
Nourishes Hair and Scalp: Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, biotin and vitamins. These nutrients have been proven to lubricate the hair and prevent hair breakage—while enhancing shine.
See our top picks for products made with avocado oil below.
Kaleena is a freelance content writer based out of Los Angeles. She is crazy about books and travel. If you can't find her unearthing used novels at a thrift store or typing away at a coffee shop, she is probably out of the country. Kaleena graduated from California State University, Long Beach where she began her career as a technical writer but now specializes in SEO content and web copy. She also enjoys improv shows and trying out new recipes.
Find out more at www.kaleenastroud.com.
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