AVOCADO OIL
What Is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is a kind of oil made from avocados. Its use in skincare and cosmetic products has recently grown in popularity. The availability of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C, B6, A, and K, folic acid, niacin, magnesium, sodium, and potassium has contributed to its increased popularity. Avocado oil is also thought to have strong antioxidant properties, which may aid in the protection of the skin from free radical harm.
Avocado oil must be used as a cold pressed or unrefined product because when avocado oil is refined or extracted with heat, the vitamins and minerals contained in the oil are damaged, reducing the avocado oil's benefits. Avocado oils' vitamin and mineral content can vary depending on the area and soil in which they are cultivated.
How Avocado Oil Works?
Avocado oil is a natural emollient and antioxidant that may have anti-inflammatory properties for the skin. Avocado oil can aid in the maintenance of the skin's natural moisture levels, the support of the skin's natural barrier, and the protection of the skin from free radicals.
What Avocado Oil Does To The Skin?
Avocado oil is a natural product that can assist the skin in maintaining its health through various properties:
- Moisture-Maintaining Properties: Avocado oil has emollient and occlusive properties, which ensures it serves as a protective shield on the skin's surface. This membrane protects the skin from transepidermal water loss, also known as TEWL. When the skin's natural membrane is unable to maintain normal water levels, TEWL happens. This commonly occurs when we mature, or when the skin barrier is weakened by toxic products or skin conditions such as dermatitis or eczema. Skin water is lost to the atmosphere, resulting in dehydration and dullness.
- Collagen-Maintaining Properties: Recent research suggests that avocado oil can help to slow the breakdown of collagen in the skin. According to preliminary research, avocado oil can inhibit the enzyme lysyl oxidase, which breaks down collagen. Avocado oil can also increase the levels of soluble collagen, according to the research.
- Antioxidant Properties: Avocado oil is believed to have natural antioxidant properties due to the vitamins found throughout it. Antioxidants aid in the prevention of free radical disruption. While free radicals are formed naturally in the body by a process known as oxidative stress, environmental factors such as UV rays, smoking, diet, and pollution may increase the amount of free radicals in the body. This rise may be harmful because free radicals have been related to cell damage and research shows that they could be linked to ageing. Avocado oil's potential to act as an antioxidant can provide additional protection to the skin.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Avocado can also have certain anti-inflammatory properties for the skin. This may be good for acne-prone skin. Although acne-prone skin is frequently advised against using protective ingredients, avocado oil can be beneficial in the short term for inflamed acne since it may help preserve moisture levels and soothe inflammation and redness.
Reference Sources
- Lin, T, Zhong, L, & Santiago, J, 2017. ‘Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils’, International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- Flores, M, Saravia, C, Vergara, C, Avila, F, Valdés, H, & Ortiz-Viedma, J, 2019. ‘Avocado Oil: Characteristics, Properties, and Applications’, Molecules, vol. 2.