Already the Aztecs cultivated avocado for its nutritional properties and appreciated it so much that they created legends around this fruit, such as the fable about the origin of the Orion constellation. A long time ago, when there were still no stars in the sky, there lived a farmer who, together with his wife, cultivated avocado trees. One day, however, his wife fell in love with another man and the two lovers ran away carrying only a basket full of avocados. The farmer ran after the two fugitives following the trail of young avocado trees born from avocados that gradually fell to the ground during the race. He finally caught up with them but the two jumped over the edge of the world. The farmer followed them and it is said that he is still doing it, in the sky, where we can see him in the form of a constellation, the constellation of Orion, his wife instead is represented by the Pleiades and her lover by the cluster of stars called Iadi, which seem to chase each other in an endless race. But the Aztecs did not use avocado only as a food. They had noticed, in fact, that its pulp, if applied to the skin, could be moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. So, let's let ourselves be taken by the hand by centuries of wisdom and see how to use avocado, and in particular the oil obtained directly from its pulp, as a powerful cosmetic for the skin.
Avocado oil, cosmetic properties
Avocado oil is a precious source of monounsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, present in very high quantities, but also linoleic and linolenic acid, as well as beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant, minerals and vitamins, such as A, C, D and E (de Oliveira et al, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013). Thanks to its composition, avocado oil intensely nourishes the skin and is an excellent remedy for dry and irritated skin (Lin et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2018). Not only that, this vegetable oil stimulates the production of collagen, helps fight wrinkles and promotes skin renewal processes, leaving it more elastic, fresh and rejuvenated (Naeimifar et al, J Cosmet Dermatol, 2020). Not to forget that avocado oil has also been included in treatments against psoriasis, bringing interesting benefits (Stuecker et al, Dermatology, 2001). Finally, avocado oil, thanks to its regenerating action on the epidermis, helps in case of wounds and stretch marks, accelerating the healing processes and making the skin more toned and elastic (de Oliveira et al, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013).
How to use avocado oil for your beauty
You can use avocado oil as a powerful serum in the evening. In this case, however, it is better not to use avocado oil alone but always mixed with other oils, as studies have observed that the topical application of pure oil has created irritation in predisposed skins (Moore et al, Front Pharmacol , 2020). Then take a bottle and pour half avocado oil and half jojoba oil, use a few drops on damp skin. Alternatively, you can use products and creams containing avocado oil. Finally, you can also make a DIY face mask. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of clay, green, white or red depending on the type you have at home, and 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, which counteracts inflammation and aging processes (Pazyar et al, Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, 2012). Pour as much water as you need to get a cream and finally add with a teaspoon of avocado oil, mix. Apply to cleansed face and leave on for ten minutes, then rinse and complete with your treatment.
