Avocado is one great fruit everyone needs in their diet. Apart from the many health benefits, avocado can help you enjoy beautiful glowing skin whether you eat it or apply it on your skin. How does this super fruit make it all happen?
Avocados contains B vitamins that help keep your skin healthy and prevent skin conditions. Biotin is a B vitamin that helps the body grow thick, lustrous hair, long nails and healthy skin. Avocados are rich in this vitamin. Deficiency in this vitamin could lead to dry skin.
Avocados are rich in healthy fats. Healthy fats are good for your skin. Avocados are rich in two types of fat: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids moisturize the skin and keep it soft and supple. Polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the skin from harmful UV rays of the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays damage can cause wrinkles and has been linked to skin cancer.
Avocados contain antioxidants like Vitamin C , Vitamin E and Lutein. Antioxidants are necessary for great skin and good health. Vitamin C helps to prevent breakdown of collagen and elastin. These are structural proteins that keep the skin plump and firm. Vitamin C is also used to treat and prevent inflammation in the skin. Lutein also protects your skin from sun damage, improve skin tone and slow aging. So, getting these antioxidants into your diet will help you have clearer and younger looking skin.
Avocados also contain Vitamin K, copper, pantothenic acid, folate and potassium which are all essential for optimum health.
Eating avocado is one way of getting all these great benefits. One small avocado a day or half if it's a large one will be fine. You can add it to your salads, use it as spreads for toast or add it to to your smoothies.
Get three easy to make avocado smoothie recipes here.
How To Use Avocado On Your Skin
You can also use avocado as part of your skin care regimen by peeling it and using the flesh on your skin or using avocado oil. Avocado oil is oil that has been extracted from the pulp. You can use it directly on your face or add a few drops to your moisturizer. Because of its antimicrobial properties, it is said to be effective against acne.
An easy way to use avocado for skin care is to use it as a face mask. These simple homemade avocado masks can help you hydrate, exfoliate and nourish your skin easily and you will be well on your way to glowing skin!
Home Made Avocado Face Masks
1. Avocado and Honey Face Mask
This mask is great for dry skin.
Ingredients
1/4 medium avocado
1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions
Mix the avocado and organic honey in a bowl.
Apply it to your face and wait for 20 minutes
Wash with lukewarm water and use a towel to pat your face dry.
Do this twice or thrice a week.
2.Avocado and Cucumber Face Mask
This is for you if you have normal skin that is not dry or oily. Use this for glowing skin.
Ingredients
1/2 medium avocado
5 tablespoons of cucumber juice
Instructions
Grate a cucumber and press the juice.
Add 5 tablespoons of cucumber juice to the avocado
Mix well and apply to your face
Wait for 20 minutes before washing with water
Use a towel to pat your skin dry.
Do this twice a week
3. Avocado, Lemon and Oats Face Mask
This mask can give you an instant glow when you need great skin for a special occasion. Do not use this mask everyday.
Ingredients
1/2 medium avocado
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of oats
Instructions
Mix all three ingredients.
Apply to your face and wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
Gently massage your face and neck for 2 minutes.
Wash with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer.
