Avocado Is Great For Your Skin

Avocado is also known as Alligator Pear originated in southern Mexico. It has become a useful ingredient for our daily skin care routine. It is rich in fat as well as protein. These fats are monounsaturated which is good for a healthy heart. The provision of vitamin E in avocado helps the heart to remain fit. It is also known to supply 60% more potassium in comparison to banana. It is also rich in fiber, foliate (folic acid), vitamin B6, iron, copper and magnesium.

Other than applying avocado on your skin, consuming it in salad form can also be beneficial for your skin. Avocado contains vitamins like A, D, and E which has penetrating qualities to improve your skin. Avocado oil is also very useful for skin care. The oil is useful to remove any sun damage or age spots. It also softens the skin and provides a moisturizing effect and can do wonders on damaged, undernourished and dehydrated skin.

Avocado oil is a deep red or deep green oil with a characteristic pleasant taste, which is obtained from the dried slices of the pressed, almost ripe fruit of the avocado tree. The oil should be obtained by the cold pressing method, and should be dark (deep red or deep green) to mid-green in colour. It contains very low levels of acidity and oxidation products, whilst retaining the vitamin E content.

It is well-known that avocado as an oil is suitable for oily skin types, but can be used with equal effectiveness on dry and irritated skins also. It contains Vitamins A, C and B and the minerals potassium and magnesium, but contains no cholesterol.

Benefits of avocado oil to the skin
* Avocado oil is also high in sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots, help heal sun damage and scars. It is the sterolins (also called plant steroids) in the oil that helps to soften the skin and imparts a superior moisturizing effect.
* For this reason it is an ideal ingredient to include when formulating for people with dehydrated, sun or climate damaged skin, as it is an extremely good moisturizing and nourishing compound, assisting in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin.
* Avocado oil significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin - which normally is under attack as we grow older.
* Avocado oil is easily absorbed into deep tissue, and with its wonderfully emollient properties, makes it ideal for mature skins. It also helps to relieve the dryness and itching of psoriasis and eczema.
* It is often used for clients with dry or mature skins, or people suffering from eczema or psoriasis, and is very useful when treating sun or climate damaged skin that is dehydrated and undernourished, as it is said to help with regenerating the skin and softening the tissue.

Beauty benefits of avocado
1. Avocados contain a high amount of the carotenoid called Lutein. Lutein has an antioxidant effect that may protect your skin from UV-B-induced damage. This may possibly help delay the onset of sunburn.
2. Avocados contain antioxidants called polyphenols. Eating a healthy amount of antioxidants is vital for great skin. They can help kill free radicals that cause cell damage and possibly prevent premature skin ageing.
3. Vitamin C may improve the health of your skin, as well as prevent the premature formation of wrinkles. It improves the integrity of collagen by increasing its synthesis within your skin.
4. The fat Oleic Acid found in avocado may improve the function of your skin. This is due to Oleic Acid being a major part of human sebum, which is the fat your skin produces to help keep it soft and moist.
5. Avocados contain the amino acid Glutamine. This may help eliminate waste products from your skin, keeping it free from toxins that can cause premature ageing.
6. The Folic Acid found in avocados is important in keeping you healthy. Folic Acid may improve the visual appearance of pale, washed-out skin, which can be a symptom of Folic Acid deficiency.
7. The fats that are found in avocado are beneficial for many reasons. Linoleic Acid is one of these, and may help keep your skin healthy as well as minimise damage.
8. Avocados contain Vitamin E, which may help your skin's overall health. Vitamin E may increase the elimination of cellular waste from your skin and increase the growth of new skin cells. It may even protect the fats within your skin, especially sebum. Not to mention improve your skin's blood circulation.
9. Avocados contain Vitamin E, which is great for healthy hair. It may improve your hair condition and will help increase its feel and appearance.

Masks have an deep cleansing action on the skin, removing impurities, wastes and dead skin cells. Face masks are good for a variety of reasons. They can tighten your pores, remove excess oil from the skin, or moisturize and replenish dry skin.

Homemade Avocado Face Mask Recipes:
* For dry skin (avocado and honey face mask) - 2 tablespoons of avocado, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 egg yolk. Mash up the avocado, add the honey and egg. Mix it all together. Apply to face.
* Puffed Eyes - Cut avocado into slices and place it under each eye and relax with it for next 20 minutes. The changes would be remarkable.
* Eye Cream - Make an eye cream by mixing 5 drops of almond oil in 3 ripe slices of avocado. Blend this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it for five minutes then rinse. Another method of making the eye cream is by using 1/4 cup avocado oil with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. You could also use apricot kernel, grape seed or sesame oil.
* Facial Mask - This facial mask is useful for dry skin. Mash half avocado and apply it leisurely on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water. This masque is very good for dry skin.
* Smooth and Beautiful Hands - Make a paste by mixing 1/4 peeled avocado and apply to your hands.
* Facial Scrub - You would need 2 tbsp. flax seeds, 1/2 mashed banana and 1/2 avocado peel. Use a small bowl to mix flax seeds and banana. Scoop the banana and flax seed by using avocado peel. Massage this scoop on your face in circular motion, slowly and gently. Rinse it with warm water.

Finally the most important recipe for our skin - drink lots of water, exercise, eat loads of fruit and veg, don't smoke, get plenty of sleep, always wear sunscreen, and oh yeah - try not to stress!