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From toasts to smoothies, from salads to brownies, you can find avocados literally everywhere. My mind was boggled the other day when I saw a hawker woman selling avocados on the local train. The way avocados are entering the Indian markets without being native to the subcontinent really shows how our love for this South American fruit.
Beyond its nutty, buttery, fatty taste, it is also a great ingredient for your skin and body. It’s packed with nutrients such as omega-3 fats, fibre, minerals like potassium and magnesium, and vitamins such as B, C, E, and K. Not only is this fibrous fruit great for your gut health, but the healthy fats are also ideal for your heart and cardiovascular health. When it comes to our external health, avocados are recognised as one of the most nourishing and hydrating ingredients in this beauty industry.
So, without further ado, let’s see how avocado fruits benefit the skin in detail, stay tuned as we also spill some amazing face masks you can try at home.
What Is Avocado?
Avocado is a fruit from the tropical region of South America. It is nutrient-rich and has a creamy-buttery texture with a mild, nutty flavour that just melts in the mouth. It is a versatile fruit that elevates the richness of any dish. May it be guacamole or chocolate mousse, an avocado offers a fresh yet rich texture and flavour like no other. It is packed with fibres, vitamins, and monosaturated fats that are good for the gut and the heart. More than its health and taste benefits, it is also a great ingredient in your skincare routine. Let’s see some of the benefits of avocado for the skin below.
12 Avocado Benefits For Skin
Here are some avocado fruit benefits for the skin:
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Ultimate Hydration For The Skin
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids make up the majority of avocados. In order to keep the skin hydrated and supple, they form a layer on its surface that increases water retention and improves the skin barrier. Because of its excellent moisturising properties and the presence of vitamins C and E, avocados are also a natural remedy for dry skin and related skin disorders.
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Curbs Free Radicals
Unstable molecules, also known as free radicals are frequently triggered by alcohol, pollution, and other outside environmental stressors. These free radicals cause oxidative damage, which kills skin cells and causes indications of ageing and unhealthy skin. Antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and B, as well as the carotenoids beta-carotene and lutein, are abundantly found in avocados. They reduce skin damage by scavenging these free radicals and promoting healthier skin.
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Decreases Inflammation
Redness, dry skin, wrinkles, and acne are just a few of the skin issues that are brought on by inflammation. The omega-3 fats present in avocado have strong anti-inflammatory qualities along with antioxidants that aid in lowering oxidative damage, avocado reduces inflammation by a lot.
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Improves Skin Barrier
Avocado's lipids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds refresh and rejuvenate the skin. It also shields it from harm and strengthens the skin's protective layer. Transepidermal water loss and early indications of ageing can be avoided by a robust protective skin barrier and avocado helps strengthen that.
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Reduces Sun Damage
One of the most common reasons for the ageing of the skin is UV damage. They increase the speed at which collagen breaks down, a primary skin-building protein. Avocado contains vitamins E and B3, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids, which help soothe and repair the skin from the damage caused by harmful UV rays. Vitamin C in avocado also helps build more collagen, which fights the signs of ageing caused by UV rays.
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Slows Down Signs Of Ageing
Collagen and elastin are broken down by a variety of internal and external elements, which results in dehydration, decreased skin elasticity, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, etc. Avocado is a potent tool for reducing these indications of ageing. Avocado's main anti-ageing components include collagen, niacinamide, omega fatty acids, and Carotenoids.
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Improves Elasticity
Eating avocados and applying them topically can improve the firmness and suppleness of skin. The fruit has an excellent mix of vitamins and carotenoids, among other compounds, which lessens the effects of recurrent skin stretching and promotes the generation of elastin, another great source of firm skin.
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Minimises Dark Spots
Vitamin C, which brightens the skin, and niacinamide, which is one of the best substances for uneven and hyperpigmented skin, are both abundantly found in avocados. Its UV-filtering and antioxidant components also reduce sun damage, which is a factor in melanin production and the occurrence of black spots.
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Reduces Skin Irritability
Common skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including dry, itchy, red, and dead skin. While antioxidants shield cells from oxidative stress and lower the risk of inflammation, avocado's high lipid content helps calm irritated skin.
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Gets Rid Of Dead Skin
Dry, troublesome skin is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells. Avocado is a powerful exfoliant because of the antioxidants and minerals present in it. Without making the skin dry, it aids in unclogging open and large pores and dead cells from the skin.
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Helps Control Acne Breakouts
Avocados also help cleanse the face and stop acne outbreaks because of their moisturising and exfoliating qualities. But avocados are also comedogenic, which means they can clog your pores, so use them with caution if you have acne-prone skin.
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Improves Overall Skin Health
Our skin's condition is influenced by a number of variables, including moisture content, barrier strength, collagen and elastin stores, cell turnover, lifestyle choices, and more. You need a comprehensive strategy to maintain your skin health and reach your skin goals faster, which includes a balanced diet and a committed skincare regimen. Avocado has shown promise as a topical and dietary source of nutrients that improve skin health.
How To Use Avocado For Skin
The best way to give the benefits of avocado to your body would be to consume it, and the best way to benefit your skin would be to apply avocado to your face. You can either mash up some avocado and create your own DIY face masks or use products that are infused with the goodness of avocado. You can also use avocado oil in your food and skincare for that extra boost of hydration and monosaturated healthy fats.
Avocado Face Mask Recipes
There are a few things you can remedy with a hearty bowl of avocado, not for your tummy but for your face. So, here are a few recipes you can try for bright, even, and hydrating skin. For all the recipes we share, all you need to do is mash the ingredients together, apply it to your skin and leave it for 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. You can repeat this once or twice a week for the effects to implement.
Avocado Face Mask For Brighter, Glowing Skin
- Half Avocado
- Lemon Juice
- Oatmeal
- Rose Water
- Banana
Avocado Face Mask For More Even-toned Skin
- Avocado
- Honey
- Greek Yoghurt
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cocoa powder
- Coffee
Avocado Face Mask For Intense Hydration
- Avocado
- Coconut Oil
- Water
- Aloe Vera
- Honey
Avocado-Infused Products
If you are feeling lazy to make your own avocado face mask, here are a few products you can try instead. You can either create a whole routine or swap one of your products with the richness of avocado.
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Parting Thoughts
More than being a yum addition to salads, smoothies, and bowls, avocados are also great for the skin. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that reduce radical skin cells, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and more. It also evens out your skin tone and makes it feel soft and supple with just a few uses. If you haven’t tried an avocado face mask yet, maybe this article is all the push you need.
FAQs
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How does avocado help with dry skin?
The natural oils and healthy fats present in avocado help with dry skin, it enters the skin barrier and retains and locks in moisture.
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Can avocado help reduce wrinkles?
Avocados help reduce wrinkles by improving skin hydration, promoting collagen formation, and protecting from environmental stressors.
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Is avocado good for acne-prone skin?
Yes and no, avocado has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties that can help curb bacterial infections that cause acne, but avocado is also comedogenic which means it can clog your pores if you apply it directly to your face. So use it wisely, especially infused with non-comedogenic ingredients.
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How can I use avocado for my skin?
You can use avocado directly as a paste mixed with other skin-friendly ingredients, but you can also use avocado-infused products such as cleansers, serums, moisturisers, lip balms, face masks, and more.
