When applied topically, avocados can be quite hydrating to the skin, as well as hair (and nails). If you suffer from sensitive or dry skin, or would like to give your complexion a post-summer hydration-infusion, here's a quick and easy notch to add to your proverbial skin-care bedpost.
OTHER USES: If eye make-up removers are irritating due to your sensitivity, then avocado oil may work really nicely for you. A drop or two is all you need...just lightly massage the oil into the surrounding eye area, & lashes, and gently wipe the make-up away (swiping INWARD towards the nose). For mascara, using a cotton ball and gently swipe the lashes downward, never pulling at the lashes. Avocado oil is non-irritating to the eyes, however, reserve the eye-oil for your Ayurvedic treatment.
You can also apply pure avocado oil to your locks as an intensive repair treatment. Massage the oil into hair, focusing on your dry ends. Twist your locks up into a bun and allow the oil to penetrate the hair cuticle for 20 minutes. Wash and condition as usual. For very dry hair, add a drop or two of this oil to the palms of your hands and distribute it evenly over your dry hair.
EMOLLIENT CLEANSER: Purée half of a ripe avocado, add a beaten egg yolk and half a cup of whole milk (or full-fat plain yogurt). Combine the ingredients until you have a milky, semi-creamy consistency. Massage the cleanser into the skin, using circular motions, for one minute, then remove with a washcloth and warm water. The lactic acid in the dairy acts as a natural chemical exfoliator and, of course, the avocado oil hydrates. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, this cleanser works well, just 86 the wash cloth.
AVOCADO OIL: Compared to other fruits, avocado oil has the highest vitamin E content. Vitamin E is a POWERFUL antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin. "Antioxidants" are like little soldiers that fight-off and negate the oxidant effect of free radicals. "Free Radicals" are atom-molecules that damage the collagen, deep within the skin, and cause dryness and fine lines....yikes! Moreover, these free radicals have a disproportionate number of electrons, which motivate them to invade and rob the skin of its "good" electrons, from healthy cells (such as those cells that make your skin firm and elastic). This Radical Ku can cause an explosive chain reaction, invading other healthy electrons along its march for destruction! Antioxidants like Vitamin E act like army soldiers, and proactively prevent this Ku from invading in the first place. This is why, when looking for facial serums and creams, always look for those containing antioxidants like vitamins E, C and A.
Avocado oil is also high in Sterolins (plant steroids), which help to deeply moisturize the skin. It has amazing emollient properties, making it über-fantastic for mature skin (which I would classify as skin over 30). This oil is also good for treating dry, itchy skin, psoriasis and eczema. You can purchase pure avocado oil very inexpensively at your local health food store or organic market.
HYDRATING MASK: In a bowl or food processor, purée half an avocado, then add 1/3 cup of "full-fat" plain yogurt and 1/3 cup of raw honey. The lactic acid in the yogurt is an *AHA and acts as a chemical exfoliator. Lactic acid is gentle on the skin and does not cause irritation or peeling....for this reason I would recommend it for sensitive skin. The honey, which has antiseptic properties, is a terrific moisturizer, and the oil in the avocado acts as an emollient, making this mask one of my favorites! Keep a supply in the fridge and apply it to your face in the morning, as you're brewing your coffee. This mask is invigorating, moisturizing, and will leave your skin super soft and supple. The mask will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Spread the mask onto clean skin in an even layer (face, neck & decolletage). You may feel a slight tingle, then a tightening as the mask dries. Once dry, after 20 minutes, rinse the mask off with warm water (I prefer to use a washcloth). Moisturize as usual. Your skin will be über-soft and hydrated!
Spread the mask onto clean skin in an even layer (face, neck & decolletage). You may feel a slight tingle, then a tightening as the mask dries. Once dry, after 20 minutes, rinse the mask off with warm water (I prefer to use a washcloth). Moisturize as usual. Your skin will be über-soft and hydrated!
HAIR MASK: Purée a ripened avocado and add one beaten egg, 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup of "full-fat", plain yogurt. Mix well until you have a creamy consistency. Massage the mask into hair (concentrating on the ends), then twist your hair into a bun and cover in plastic wrap. Allow the mixture to sit on your hair for 20-30 minutes, then rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.
EMOLLIENT CLEANSER: Purée half of a ripe avocado, add a beaten egg yolk and half a cup of whole milk (or full-fat plain yogurt). Combine the ingredients until you have a milky, semi-creamy consistency. Massage the cleanser into the skin, using circular motions, for one minute, then remove with a washcloth and warm water. The lactic acid in the dairy acts as a natural chemical exfoliator and, of course, the avocado oil hydrates. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, this cleanser works well, just 86 the wash cloth.
BODY SCRUB: Mash one avocado, then add 1/2 cup of coconut oil (from mature coconuts), 1/3 cup of fine sea salt and 4-6 drops of essential oil (grapefruit or orange work well). Combine all ingredients...adding more salt if you prefer a grainier scrub. Do not use this scrub on the face, as the salt and essential oil can be irritating to the facial skin. A scrub like this leaves skin super soft, smooth and oh-so-hydrated!
Facial Mask for OILY skin: Purée one ripe avocado, squeeze-in the juice of one lemon, and add one beaten egg white. The lemon acts as a natural astringent, the proteins in the egg white nourishes the skin while tightening, and the oil in the avocado adds a balance to the mask. *Even "oily" skin needs hydration, so don't be intimidated by the oil in the avocado.
EYE MASK: The skin surrounding the eye is the thinnest skin on your body and does NOT contain hair follicles, which means that no natural sebum (the body's natural oil) is dispersed onto this area. *Eye-area hydration is ESSENTIAL in preventing accelerated aging, so be conscious of how you're caring for this delicate skin.
For the eye mask, mix a bit of puréed ripened avocado with aloe vera gel. Spread the mixture around the surrounding eye-skin area and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. For a cooling affect, allow the mask to cool in the fridge before applying, then rinse with warm water. Hydrate with an antioxidant-rich eye cream.
* see my blogs on "the EYES have it", "EXFOLIATE!" and "Skin-Care 101"
For the eye mask, mix a bit of puréed ripened avocado with aloe vera gel. Spread the mixture around the surrounding eye-skin area and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. For a cooling affect, allow the mask to cool in the fridge before applying, then rinse with warm water. Hydrate with an antioxidant-rich eye cream.
* see my blogs on "the EYES have it", "EXFOLIATE!" and "Skin-Care 101"
--Ciao for now ;)
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