Oh, avocado, you taste AMAZING on toast and are extremely beneficial for the skin. Is there anything you can’t do?
Not, but seriously, this fruit *or is it a vegetable?* is a must-add ingredient for you skincare routine. Why? Because it can do it all! From deeply moisturizing the complexion and preventing moisture loss, to improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, avocado for skin is a buzz-worthy goodie for those with dry skin.
Want to know more about avocado skin care? Keep reading to discover the ABCs of this ingredient.
What is avocado for the skin?
Who doesn’t love a good avocado? That smooth, green fruit that's oh-so-good in guacamole, on toast, or just eaten plain with a spoon is delicious! But what is it? Is it a fruit or a vegetable? And what can it do for your skin?
In the botanical world, avocado is a fruit that originated in Mexico and Guatemala but is pretty common in all of America. However, for culinary purposes, this creamy goodness is pictured as a vegetable just because no one goes around eating avocados with sugar or in fruit salads.
No matter what you think avocados are, there’s one undeniable truth: they are amazing for the skin! Packed with fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, avocados are an essential addition if you want to moisturize, brighten, and nourish your skin.
Pros & Cons of using avocado skin care
Pros
- Avocado is packed with healthy fats that help to keep skin hydrated.
- The vitamins and minerals in avocado help to nourish and revitalize skin cells.
- The antioxidant properties of avocado fight free radicals and help to protect skin from damage.
- Avocados can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Cons
- Even though avocado is well-tolerated, some people may experience allergic reactions, so it is recommended to do a patch test before including avocado beauty products
Ingredients specifications
Clean
Since it is a natural ingredient that comes from the laurel family, avocados are generally considered clean and safe for most people.
Vegan
No matter if you think avocados are a fruit or a vegetable, the fact remains that they come from plants, so they’re vegan-friendly.
Pregnancy safe
The key benefits of avocados are extremely beneficial for pregnant women’s skin and, the best part is that they’re safe to include in a skincare routine.
Breastfeeding safe
Avocado for skin is safe to use while breastfeeding since they don’t enter the bloodstream or affect milk production.
Active ingredient
In moisturizing skincare products, avocados are used as an active ingredient thanks to their high amounts of fatty acids and vitamins that hydrate and protect the skin.
Comedogenic
Avocado oil in skincare is considered to be moderately comedogenic, so it is recommended to be used by dry to normal skin types, while people with oily, combination or acne-prone skin should avoid it.
EWG (Environment Working Group) Score
Both avocado extract and avocado oil are considered safe ingredients with low risks of allergic reactions and low toxicity levels, so the EWG gave them a score of “1” on a scale of 10.
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Rating: A
The CIR considers that avocado for skin is a safe ingredient that can be used in cosmetics and skincare products.
PRECAUTIONS: Things to know before using this ingredient
When to use avocado skin care products?
Avocado for skin is safe to be used twice a day, however, it is important to read the products’ labels to check the instructions and find out how many times you can use a product containing avocado.
What skin type is avocado good for?
Thanks to its moisturizing and anti-aging benefits, this ingredient is especially good for those with dry or dehydrated skin. On the other hand, people with oily and combination skin should avoid it since avocado oil is comedogenic and could cause acne breakouts.
What you can’t mix with avocado?
It is recommended to stay away from other oils when including avocado beauty products in your skincare routine. This is because avocados are packed with fatty acids, and mixing it with other fatty acids-rich oil could be too much for the skin to absorb.
Instead, you can mix avocado with lighter moisturizing and brightening ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Top Picks
Bestsellers
- Real Nature Avocado Sheet Mask
- I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet Nutrition
- Elizavecca's Natural 90% Olive Cleansing Oil
$15 and under avocado beauty products
- Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack
- Dermask Ultra Jet Porecting Solution
- Peptide Ampoule Mask
Products that contain avocado that are worth the price
- Day-light Protection Airy Sunscreen
FAQ’s
Can avocado brighten the skin?
Avocados contain fatty acids and vitamin C, a power duo when it comes to brightening the skin. For starters, fatty acids can replenish moisture levels, while vitamin C reduces dark spots. So, together they can give you a healthy glow.
Is it safe to rub avocado directly on your face?
It’s never safe to rub raw fruits or vegetables directly on your skin because they can cause more harm than good. Additionally, the amount of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals in one raw avocado won’t do much for your complexion. That’s why it is better to buy formulated skincare products that contain avocado.
Can avocado oil cause acne breakouts?
Yes! Avocado oil is comedogenic, which means that it can clog your pores and cause acne in people that are prone to breakouts or have oily skin.
Tips & Tricks to include avocado in your skincare routine
- Avocado face masks are a must for people with dry skin or that have dry patches. You can pop the mask for 15-20 minutes and then remove it.
- Another good idea is to include avocado for skin in a moisturizer. That way you’ll help your skin get all the hydration it needs.
- Don’t forget about the sunscreen! Avocados are rich in vitamin C and A, which can sometimes cause blemishes if you expose yourself to the sun without using sun protection.