Avocado Is Good On Everything, Even Your Skin—Yes, Really

So, What Is Avocado Oil?

Before you start slathering avocados all over, let’s break down what avocado oil is and why it’s so beneficial. “Avocado oil is pressed from the fruit itself, which makes it a carrier oil,” says Jessie Cheung, MD, dermatologist at Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness in Chicago. Unlike essential oils, which are distilled from an aromatic part of a plant and don’t go rancid, carrier oils can go bad over time. “Carrier oils are often used to dilute essential oils,” says Dr. Cheung. Because they are gentle in nature, carrier oils, like avocado oil, can also be used to deliver other potent ingredients to your skin.

What Are the Benefits of Avocado Oil For Skin? 

From providing major moisture to calming inflammation and speeding up the wound healing process, there are a variety of reasons you might want to reach for avocado oil. And thanks to a rapid absorption rate and its ability to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface, the avocado oil benefits for skin are real.

“Anyone who has spent any time in the kitchen knows that avocado oil has one of the highest smoke points of any cooking oils, and that same chemical structure helps it hold up extremely well in cosmetic use,” says Ali Tobias, licensed senior esthetician at Just Ageless in New York City. Unlike other oils, which can lose key nutrients during the distilling process, the powerful antioxidants and fatty acids within avocado oil stay strong and make their way to your skin more effectively, all while moisturizing, smoothing away fine lines, and protecting against UV rays in the process.

Avocado oil is also known to speed up your body’s natural healing process. “Linoleic and oleic acids can promote collagen synthesis and decrease inflammation to speed up wound healing,” says Dr. Cheung. So it’s a great option for treating signs of aging and scars, like stretch marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The fatty acids present in avocado oil are also beneficial for those who suffer from certain skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema, as well as those with dry or normal skin types. “It can be used to help soothe and moisturize healthy skin,” says Dr. Cheung. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Although there’s no denying the benefits of adding avocado oil to your skincare routine, those with certain allergies should steer clear of the carrier oil (and the fruit altogether). Not only is it a no-go for someone suffering from an avocado allergy, but there are other allergies that could be exacerbated by use. “People with latex allergies can also be allergic to chestnuts, melons, banana, kiwi, and avocados,” says Dr. Cheung. “Symptoms include swelling, upset stomach, hives, and swelling of the lips or airway.” If you’re allergic to birch pollen, you can also experience an oral avocado allergy. “Symptoms include itching and swelling of the mouth and throat,” adds Dr. Cheung.

How to Use Avocado Oil on Your Skin

Ready to see the benefits of avocado oil for your skin? Try these DIY hacks if you want to add avocado to your daily beauty routine.

As a Face Mask: A quick and easy way to reap the hydrating benefits of avocado oil is with a DIY face mask. “It’s easy to mash up some avocado and apply it directly to your skin,” says Dr. Cheung. “You can add some crushed oatmeal or honey for even more soothing and prebiotic and probiotic effects.” While honey will help calm the skin, the oats work as a natural exfoliator. Cut and mash up half of a medium or large avocado, and combine with two tablespoons of rolled oats and one to two tablespoons of raw honey. Mix together in a small bowl and apply to dry, clean skin. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off using warm water and a clean washcloth.

To Soothe Dry Skin:  The powerful moisturizing ingredients in avocado make it a savior if you’re currently battling dry skin. “Mix avocado, honey, and yogurt to help with dry skin,” says Gina Martinelli, esthetician at SKINNEY Medspa in New York City. Yogurt will provide additional nourishment to the skin and can reduce the appearance of dark spots. Mash up one ripe avocado and mix in three tablespoons of cold yogurt and one tablespoon of raw honey until you create a paste. Mix together in a bowl and apply to clean, dry skin for 30 minutes, then rinse off with cold water. If you have extra left over, you can store the mask in an airtight container for up to five days. “The fatty acids and rapid penetration make avocado oil the tonic that thirsty skin craves,” says Tobias. 

To Moisturize Chapped Lips: When it comes to moisturizing chapped lips, lip oil can work wonders. Our lips lack oil glands, which means they are incapable of producing any natural oils on their own—and that’s where avocado oil comes in, providing a much-needed dose of hydration. While jojoba and grapeseed oils are just as hydrating, these oils are quickly absorbed within the skin, while avocado and almond oil last longer on the surface, providing much-needed nourishment and making them a better choice for soothing chapped lips. Apply a small amount of avocado oil directly on your lips for super soft skin, or mix three drops of avocado oil with one drop of lavender oil to create a nourishing lip moisturizer. 

If you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and hydrate your skin, it might be time to stock up on avocado in the produce aisle. Have you tried any avocado beauty hacks or received any products with avocado oil in your Glam Bag? If so, we want to hear from you! Share a photo and tag us @IPSY. 

Want in on all the Glam Bag fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. And don't forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.