Avocado Oil for Dry Skin - How and Why Does it Help

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Does Avocado oil work well for dry skin types? And if it does, then what is the reason? Today we will look at how avocado oil can benefit dry skin.

What is Avocado Oil?

Just as the name implies, avocado oil is extracted from Persea -americana or avocado fruits. The oil is not extracted from the pit of the fruit, but rather the fleshy pulp surrounding the pit.

Much of the avocado oil used for cosmetic purposes is traditionally extracted with solvents at elevated temperatures. After extraction, the oil is usually refined, bleached, and deodorized, creating an odorless yellow oil. Cold-pressed avocado oil is unrefined and retains its flavor and green color.

Fatty Acids in Avocado Oil

Palmitic – 14.25%
Palmitoleic – 5.84%
Stearic – 0.1%
Oleic – 65.4 %
Linoleic – 14.74 %
Linolenic – 0.8 % – Source

How do These Fatty Acids Benefit the Skin?

Avocado oil is mostly composed of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

Oleic acid is an omega 9 fatty acid. Oils high in oleic acid are recommended for dry skin types, whereas oils high in linoleic acid are better for acne-prone and congested skin types. Oleic acid acts as a moisturizer, softening the skin and helping to repair tissue damage. Oleic acid also increases skin permeability, allowing it to carry other ingredients deeper into the skin.

Palmitic acid functions as an emollient and occlusive agent, softening the skin while also forming a protective film on the surface of the skin. Palmitic acid can help restore the skin’s natural barrier function because it is an integral part of a healthy skin barrier.

Palmitoleic acid is an omega 7 fatty acid. Its role in skincare is to protect against oxidative damage by encouraging the development of new skin cells. There is some research that palmitoleic acid may increase the synthesis of collagen and elastin, helping the skin retain its youthful shape and firmness.

Linoleic acid is one of the most abundant fatty acids naturally present in the skin. Its benefits include helping to restore a healthy skin barrier, soothing and softening the skin, acting as an anti-inflammatory, and increasing hydration and elasticity.

Vitamins and Other Components of Avocado Oil

Vitamin E

Avocado oil is a good source of Vitamin E with a content of 24.5 mg vitamin E/100 g oil. Vitamin E is essential to healthy and hydrated skin.

Vitamin E resides in the epidermis and dermis of human skin; it is the most abundant lipophilic antioxidant found on human skin. Vitamin E levels within the skin decline with UV light exposure and with age. Due to its lipophilic nature, vitamin E can penetrate all underlying layers of the skin. The topical application of vitamin E can help increase the photoprotection of the skin and prevent/repair sun and pollution-related damage.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols present in avocado oil include Sitosterol (251mg/100g), campesterol (18 mg/100 g), D 5-avenasterol (9.4 mg/100 g), D 7-sitosterol (2.8 mg/100 g), sitostanol (2.2 mg/100 g) and stigmasterol (1.1 mg/100 g).

Phytosterols are plant-based ‘sterols.’ Their most important function in the body is to maintain the structure of our cell membranes. Research has shown that phytosterols may help stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid production in the skin and, therefore, reduce wrinkle formation.

Carotenoids and Chlorophylls

Carotenoids and chlorophylls give plants their color – they also act as potent antioxidants in our body and on our skin. Contained within avocado oil are lutein, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, chlorophylls a and b, and pheophytins a and b. – Source

These compounds protect us from free-radical damage from the sun and the environment.

Benefits of Avocado Oil for Dry Skin

Sometimes scooping the avocado, mixing it together, and applying the compound on your face can be a tricky and messy business. Extracted avocado oil is an easy way to bring the benefits of avocado oil to your skin without the mess. But, for those of us who enjoy our own DIY recipe, you can check out The Best Avocado Face Mask Recipe.

Smoothening of the Skin

Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps in smoothening and moisturizing your skin. Through applying the oil directly to your skin or through consuming avocado oil-rich foods, your skin will be able to maintain a silky, healthy, and softer tone. The antioxidants present in avocado oil are also used in treating sunburns, inflammations, and itchiness.

As a Moisturizer

Avocado oil has been a leading moisturizer on the market due to its ability to soothe dry and itchy skin.

One reason why avocado oil is so wonderful for dry skin is the presence of humectancy. This property is the reason why avocado oil penetrates deeper into your skin, as compared to other oils. As a result, dry skin stays moisturized for more extended periods, giving you healthy, softer skin.

The Omega fatty acids found in avocado oil are ideal for moisturizing dry, dehydrated, and damaged skin by penetrating deep inside to increase elasticity and rejuvenate cells.

For Anti-Aging

Avocado oil contains antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamin E that help reduce collagen destruction by inhibiting free-radical damage. The phytosterols present in avocado oil may help lump the skin by producing hyaluronic acid, a necessary component of youthful skin.

Protects from Sun Damage

Avocado oil can help protect the skin from sun damage in multiple ways – through antioxidant protection, as well as through lipid hydration. One study tested the ability of unique lipid molecules, polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFA), extracted from avocado to reduce UVB-induced damage and inflammation in the skin.

How to use Avocado Oil for your Skin

External use: As long as you are not allergic to avocados, you can freely apply the oil to your skin.

Avocado oil can be used on its own and massaged into the skin, added to face masks, or to lotions, creams, shower gels, or bath oils. It is safe to use daily.

Internal use: Avocado benefits can also be achieved by consuming the fruit in its raw form. You can decide to extract juice from the fruit or make a green smoothie. Research has revealed that through consuming avocado in its natural form, it helps against heart disease, regulating blood sugar levels and prevents the growth of cancer cells in your body.

The Best Organic Avocado Oil to buy

So what is a great, organic avocado oil you can buy? There are many brands out there but what is best? You want to be sure you purchase an organic, cold-pressed oil, this way you are getting the nutrients extracted from the fruit without compromising on quality or damaging the delicate proteins and antioxidants found in the fruit.

Another important consideration is to buy your oils in dark glass bottles. This way it will not spoil and will keep longer. Light can break down the beneficial structure of the oil. You do not want to buy a product that will not work as well as it should.

I am very familiar with the brand Renewalize. I use their products regularly, and they produce excellent cold-pressed and organic oils. Their avocado oil comes in a dark glass bottle and an easy application with the eyedropper. You can read the fantastic reviews for Renewalize avocado oil on Amazon.

Products Containing Avocado Oil:

Conclusion

As you can see, avocado oil is an excellent oil for use on dry skin. It’s fatty acids, antioxidants, plant sterols, and vitamins all help contribute to moisturized and healthy skin.

More References:

Has avocado oil helped your dry skin? Let us know in the comments below!

Avocado Oil for Dry Skin – How and Why Does it Help

What is Avocado Oil?

Fatty Acids in Avocado Oil

How do These Fatty Acids Benefit the Skin?