Avocado Oil

Aromatherapy is a common form of alternative medicine that has been used effectively to affect a person’s mood or health. For this purpose, a variety of oils and aromatic compounds are used. One such aromatherapy oil is avocado oil. Avocado oil is one of the few oils not derived from seeds, but is extracted from the pulp of the avocado fruit.

Avocado oil is usually put into the category of vegetable oil although it is really a fruit. The oil that is extracted from the fruit is very useful in aromatherapy and for providing relaxing massages. Regarding the texture, the oil is a little heavy and gives a fatty waxy feel to the skin. It is also rich in vitamin A and D, which are very important for the body. High quantities of potassium and lecithin are also present in avocado oil. Originally, avocado trees were grown in Central America. The avocado provides a lot of advantages nutritionally and is filled with Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E, which are important for proper growth. Pantothenic acid, sterols, amino acids, and other fatty acids are also present in avocado. Avocado has a color that is deep olive green and has a sweet and a little nutty aroma. It is usually classified as a mono-unsaturated oil.

Avocado oil is usually massaged onto the skin during aromatherapy sessions for therapeutic results. It is known to be deeply penetrating and therefore has outstanding regenerative properties. As this oil penetrates the skin more deeply than other oils, it is easier to transport nutrients through the outer epidermis of the skin and finally into the dermis.

Thus avocado oil can improve skin complexion as it contains vitamin E and it also provides the skin with a softening and soothing effect. It is well known that omega-3 fatty acids are present in fish oil. However, Omega-3 is also present in avocado oil which means that you can also benefit from the presence of Omega-3 by making use of avocado oil for the purposes of cooking. Avocado oil also benefits aging skin because it increases collagen production and thereby reduces the skin ageing process. Other avocado oil benefits on the skin include its effectiveness on itchy and dry skin because of the presence of Vitamins A, D, and E.

Avocado Oil Benefits.
This oil protects the skin against any form of infection as avocado sugars produce an antimicrobial layer over the skin. It is therefore effective in relieving the dryness and itching associated with skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It is also effective in accelerating the healing process in small cuts and bruises.

Because of the avocado oil benefits for skin care, hair, and general health it is used in many products such as cosmetic creams for the face and as a massage oil. It is also considered to help with weight loss. One of the benefits of avocado oil for the skin is in treating skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. Using avocado oil for the skin tends to block the rays of the sun and therefore protects the skin from getting destroyed from the heat of the sun.  Although it can be used independently, it is normally used as a base oil along with other essential oils like grape seed oil or almond oil.

Avocado Oil For Aging Skin.
Avocado oil can help reduce the chances of wrinkles, and subsequently aging. This is because it contains certain anti-oxidant agents that help boost the collagen in the top layer of the skin. Collagen increases skin strength and elasticity. Avocado oil is also high in sterolins, which are reputed to help heal sun damage and scars. Thus, given its emollient properties, it is ideal for dry, damaged and dehydrated skin and acts well for the rejuvenation of the skin.
 
It is also rich is lecithin, a fatty acid that helps keep the skin soft and moisturised. Avocado oil contains high levels of vitamins, especially Vitamin E and Vitamin A. While Vitamin E is known to protect skin cells from free radicals, Vitamin A is useful in neutralizing the harmful elements in our skin.

Avocado oil can be mixed with other oils for beneficial effects. As a carrier oil, avocado oil usually goes well with olive oil. This mixture of avocado olive oil is very popular in aromatherapy sessions due to the tremendous healing and preserving properties of both these oils. Another variant commonly used is organic avocado oil. Organic avocadoes are grown without the use of any preservatives, thus reducing the chemical content in this fruit and making it more refreshing for use.

Avocado Oil Recipes

There are some recipes you could try out when using avocado oil for skincare. There is some oil hidden in the peel of the avocado. The oil contains a humectant which enables moisture to be held. With gentle, upward strokes, massage your face with the peels and let them remain there for 15 minutes. The oil can be left overnight and in the morning you can wash your face. This remedy can be used as an effective moisturizer.

Avocado Oil Benefits For Hair

One of the most important benefits of avocado oil is its use in hair care. Its texture is quite light which enables it to get easily soaked onto the skin and scalp. Using avocado oil for the hair can help with different hair related problems like dandruff, thinning hair, and hair fall. There are a lot of nutrients present in avocado oil which can benefit the health and growth of all types of hair, especially African American hair and dry hair. Some of the essential nutrients present are folic acid, amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium, and Vitamins A, D, E, and B6, which are all very important for hair nourishment and growth. You can either make use of pure avocado oil or organic avocado oil for your hair. Both of them are equally beneficial, penetrative, and are also available quite easily. However, the shelf life of organic avocado oil is longer compared to avocado oil that is pure. You can purchase it from any grocery store but you should ensure that the manufacturing details are checked thoroughly. To make use of avocado oil for hair care or hair growth you can prepare a conditioner, homemade shampoos, and hair masks using avocado oil or you can make use of the oil for a hot oil massage or a scalp massage.

For a hot oil treatment with avocado oil you will need some hot water, a soft towel, one teaspoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of avocado oil. Mix the olive oil and avocado oil together and heat it gently. Then, using your finger tips allow this oil blend to be massaged into your scalp and hair. Individuals who have an oily scalp should use this mixture only on the hair. In a circular motion massage the scalp and hair for around 15 minutes. This will enable the oil to get well soaked and it will also improve the circulation of blood to the scalp. Then let a towel soak in some hot water and squeeze all the water out. Wrap the towel around your head for 20 minutes. Then condition and shampoo as normal.

One of the avocado benefits as a natural oil is that it has no disadvantages, risks, or side effects. The avocado oil skin and health benefits can be made more beneficial by practicing some yoga poses for gaining weight and breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) that can help reduce stress and tension as they too can contribute to unhealthy hair and skin.