Avocados are famed for their rich creamy flavor, whether on toast, or served up in your favorite sushi roll. As it turns out, the oil from avocados is equally as nourishing as the fruit itself - so just what is avocado oil, and how is it used in J-beauty skincare?
Avocado oil has also been making its way into kitchens as a fantastic ingredient for creating flavorful, healthy meals, and avocado oil is just as beneficial and luxurious when used as a skincare product as it is when you eat it. Rich with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, avocado oil is an absorbent oil that has numerous benefits for skincare. Let’s look at how avocado oil can play a role in your skincare routine, what avocado oil is, how it’s produced, and how to select the right type for your skin.
What Is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is a thick, rich, carrier oil derived from avocados. Avocado oil in particular is rich in monosaturated fatty acids such as palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acid, and also contains high levels of vitamins A, E and D.
Avocado oil is obtained by pressing the flesh and fruit pulp of avocados, and then separating the oil from the water. When choosing an avocado oil for skincare, you’ll want to look for one that is cold-pressed, organic, unrefined, and sold in an opaque container to protect it from sun exposure.
Avocado Oil as a Skin Moisturizer
Avocado is high in numerous fatty acids, with a particularly high percentace (63 percent) of oleic acid. Oleic acid allows oil to absorb deeply into your skin, soothing and softening even very dry or chapped skin. It works particularly well on rough patches such as on the knees or elbows.
Add just a few drops of avocado oil into your favorite lotions, or use just a few drops of it on its own. The high fatty acid content of the avocado oil can improve the moisturizing benefits of your other products, and will help restore your skin’s hydroplipidic film.
Prevent UV Damage With Avocado Oil
We all know that vitamins are essential for our health, and avocado is full of numerous vitamins. In particular, vitamin E is found in high quantities in avocado oil, which helps strengthen our skin’s lipid barrier function and is a powerful antioxidant.
The polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFA) and Vitamin E in avocado oil can help fight free radicals, slowing the harmful effects of sun damage caused by UV rays and replenishing the hydration levels of skin. In addition, the fatty acids present as lecithin in avocado oil help seal in moisture by creating a barrier on the skin that protects the skin from harmful outside elements.
Is Avocado Oil Good for Aging Skin?
The healthy fats that are abundant in avocado oil, such as oleic acid, proteins and beta-carotene all help increase collagen metabolism. As we age, our production of collagen slows, leading skin to lose elasticity and suppleness, so the boost of collagen production from avocado oil can help combat these effects.
Avocado oil also contains vitamins A and E that help address age related sun damage that can lead to fine lines and discoloration. Potassium is also found in high concentrations in avocado oil, which helps promote new skin cell growth to keep skin soft, supple, and youthful.
Avocado Oil as a Makeup Remover
Cleansing and makeup removal is a key part of the J-Beauty philsosophy, and using avocado oil as a makeup remover couldn’t be simpler. Just add a small bit of oil to a cotton pad or ball and gently cleanse makeup from your face. If any residue is left over, simply massage it into your skin to take advantage of the numerous benefits of the oil.
Avocado Oil as a Facial Cleanser
Avocado oil is particularly good as a facial cleanser because it absorbs very well into the skin and is perfect for breaking up dirt and other particles on the face, while offering antioxidant protection and soothing moisturizing effects all in one. Cleansing oils like avocado oil actually help to remove dirt and irritants from the skin that can actually clog your pores, leading to skin that is less damaged or prone to breakouts. To use, simply add a small amount of oil to a washcloth and gently wash your face, followed by a rinse with warm water.
Does Avocado Oil Increase Collagen?
Vitamins A, D, and E, along with fats like sterolins, are all found in high concentrations in avocado oil, and have been shown in studies to promote collagen development, as well as the ability to heal wounds and improve skin strength. Since collagen breaks down as we age, avocado oil is a fantastic addition to your skincare routine as your skin begins the aging process.
With all these numerous benefits, it’s clear that avocados and their oil belong not only on your kitchen shelf, but in your skincare routine as well.
