As the name implies, avocado oil comes from the avocado fruit. Avocado oil is a hidden treasure. Unlike the well-known tea tree oil, olive oil and lavender oil, avocado oil has yet to be discovered by many people for its great variety of health benefits. Among other things, avocado oil can be used as a beneficial skin care product, for special scalp treatments, medicinal purposes, and in healthy cooking.

Benefits of Avocado Oil for Skin

Scooping the soft fruit and molding a pack onto the face can be both tricky and messy. A far more convenient method of gaining the health benefits of avocado for the skin is rather to use the oil extracted from the fruit.

Here are some important nutrients in avocado oil:

• Protein and Fats. Avocado oil contains a high amount of proteins and unsaturated fats, both of which are strong skin agents. Avocado oil actually contains omega-3 fatty acids – those very same fatty acids as found in fish oil. Thus, not only can this oil be used as a beneficial lotion, but also as healthy cooking oil!
• Sterolin. Avocado oil is high in a substance called sterolin, which studies have shown to facilitate the softening of the skin and to reduce the incidence of age spots;
• Antioxidants. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, making it useful for healing sun-damaged skin. Antioxidants like vitamins A, D and E in avocado cause the skin to be suppler, and are thus particularly good for dry or aged skin.
• Lecithin and Potassium. Avocado oil contains lecithin and potassium, which are all highly beneficial for the skin as well as the hair;

Here are more health benefits of avocado oil:

• Moisturize the Skin. Avocado oil applied topically helps relieve dry and itchy skin. Once applied, avocado oil is deeply absorbed by the skin, thus making it an ideal moisturizer and skin care agent.
• Boost Scalp Health. In addition to helping clear scaly skin, it can also relieve itchy scalp symptoms. Avocado oil, when regularly applied to the scalp, can stimulate hair growth.
• Increase Collagen Production. When applied, avocado oil increases the production of collagen, which helps keep the skin plump and decreases the effects of aging.
• Treat Skin Conditions. Avocado oil is useful in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
• Others. Avocado oil facilitates the healing of wounds and burns to the skin. It also helps to relieve and heal diaper rash.

Using Avocado Oil for Skin

1. External Use

Prior to using avocado oil topically, you should make sure you aren’t allergic to it. To do so, place a few drops of avocado oil on your arm and rub it gently into the skin. Monitor your skin for a day or so. If you develop any negative reactions such hives or a rash, do not continue using it. If you don’t see any negative effects, you are free to begin enjoying all the benefits of avocado oil.

2. Internal Use

Eating avocados confers numerous health benefits. Although the nutritional value of avocado oil is similar to that of olive oil, avocado oil is lighter and lacks the bitter taste of olive oil. Because of this, it is a good choice for salad dressings or for use as a condiment. It is also a healthy alternative.

Research has shown that when added to salads, both fresh avocado and avocado oil facilitate the absorption of carotenoid antioxidants. Furthermore, consuming avocados is good for your heart, and helps to regulate blood sugar levels. The antioxidants in avocados help in preventing cancer. Eating salads containing avocados or avocado oil with all their good vitamins and nutrients provides your skin with long-term benefits. In other words, whether you apply avocado oil topically or eat it as a salad dressing, either way, it will do wonders for your skin.

Tips for Buying Avocado Oil

In order to get oil with the best health benefits, look to buy avocado oil that is unrefined and organic. A 16 oz. bottle of unrefined avocado oil from a health store typically sells for about $30. Blends of avocado oil containing garlic and/or olive oil can have good culinary uses.