Avocado Oil for Very Dry Skin

Can avocado oil help with issues of very dry skin?  The fruit from an avocado tree, Persea americana Mill, belonging to the family Lauraceae, is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, D, and E.  These have the ability to help deeply moisturize the skin (Miller, 2014).    The Vitamin E in avocado oil can also help reduce itching and inflammation (Miller, 2014).  Oleic is the major fatty acid present, and it also includes linoleic, palmitic, and palmitoleic (Werman & Neeman, 1987).  The unique outer green and inner yellow color of avocado comes from the healing constituents of carotenoid and chlorophyll (Ashton et al, 2006).  Here are a few studies backing up the skin healing capabilities of avocado oil:

• Vitamin B 12 cream infused with avocado oil can be a long term effective and safe therapy for psoriasis (Stucker et al, 2001).
• The sterolin constituent of avocado oil is a good source for softening the skin and reducing age spots while the lecithin and potassium components are also very nourishing to the skin (Kulkarni, Bhalke, Pande, & Kendre, 2014).
• The humectants in avocados are also very healing to the skin (Sagiv, Dikstein, & Ingber, 2001)
• Avocado Oil was shown to be a good ointment for wound healing in rats. (Nayak, Raju, & Rao, 2008).

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Avocado Oil Recipes for Dry Skin

Avocado & Egg Dry Skin Mask

• 1/2 of an avocado
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of ground oatmeal

Smash the avocado, mix in the egg, then add the oatmeal.  Apply to dry skin areas and allow to harden for about 15 minutes.  Rinse off.  Works great for hands, feet, face, elbows, and other very dry areas.

Avocado Lotion Whip for Very Dry Skin

• 1/2 cup of avocado oil
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of shea butter
• 1/8 cup of bees wax
• 20 drops of lavender essential oil
• 20 drops of German chamomile essential oil

In a double boiler, melt the shea butter and bees wax in with the avocado and coconut oil.  Once melted, combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, add the essential oils, and mix on low to medium for about 3-5 minutes until the lotion is nice and whippy.

References

• Ashton, O. B., Wong, M., McGhie, T. K., Vather, R., Wang, Y., Requejo-Jackman, C. & Woolf, A. B. (2006). Pigments in avocado tissue and oil. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 54(26), 10151-10158.
• Kulkarni, S. S., Bhalke, R. D., Pande, V. V., & Kendre, P. N. (2014). Erbal plants in photo protection and sun screening action: an overview. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(2), 1104-1113.
• Miller, Pamela.  (2014). Is avocado oil good for the skin.  Retrieved on 10/21/15.  Retrieved from www.livestrong.com.
• Nayak BS, Raju SS, Rao CV. (2008).  Wound healing activity of Persea americana (avocado) fruit: A preclinical study on rats. J Wound Care. 17:123–5.
• Sagiv, A. E., Dikstein, S., & Ingber, A. (2001). The efficiency of humectants as skin moisturizers in the presence of oil. Skin Research and Technology, 7(1), 32-35.
• Stücker, M., Memmel, U., Hoffmann, M., Hartung, J., & Altmeyer, P. (2001). Vitamin B12 cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis. Dermatology, 203(2), 141-147.
• Werman, M. J., & Neeman, I. (1987). Avocado oil production and chemical characteristics. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 64(2), 229-232.

By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT, RYT

Last Updated: 12/8/18

The listings of research represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.