INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: AVOCADO OIL
While in Mexico we have been exploring indigenous ingredients of the region and have a new love for Avocado Oil both for external and internal use. Avocado oil is derived from the flesh of the fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical zones of Central America and California. In skin care it is commonly used as a base or carrier. (A CARRIER OIL IS A BASE OIL OR VEGETABLE OIL USED TO DILUTE ESSENTIAL OILS BEFORE THEY ARE APPLIED TO THE SKIN FOR SAFETY AND EFFICACY SINCE THE CARRIER OIL CAN ASSIST TO DRIVE THE ESSENTIAL OILS DEEPER INTO THE SKIN.)
Now that I hit forty years of age I like using a dynamic duo of both essential oils w/ a carrier for multiple benefits. Dry, aging skin for one is always thirsty for moisture and I spend a lot of time in the Sun currently residing in Mexico. I like to SLATHER carrier oils on. Plus this helps me extend the quantity of my precious and more expensive essential oils. fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical zones of Central America and California. We have used Avocado oil as a base in a few of our products from the "DESERT QUEEN" collection. Here are some of the unique properties of avocado oil:
OLEIC ACID
Avocado Oil is a great carrier oil because it is highly moisturizing due to the omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and has a longer shelf life than most carriers so it doest go rancid as quickly. The fatty acids found in avocado oil are monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is known to lower risk of some cancers, prevent flare-ups of certain auto-immune diseases, speed cell regeneration, aiding the body in repelling microbial infections, and reducing inflammation inside and out.
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
The high concentration of oleic acid in avocado oil can help you lose weight – especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Avocado oil is thick and full of powerful nutrients, meaning that it will make you feel fuller faster and keep your appetite satisfied longer. Also, because the vitamins and EFAs in avocado oil improve digestion. Avocado oil has an unusually high concentration of beta-sitosterol, a type of cholesterol which our bodies can use to convert less healthy fats into forms which are more usable and less damaging to cells.
VITAMIN E
Avocado oil is among the top five foods highest in vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin is known for improving skin and eye health, bolstering the immune system, providing defense against oxidative damage to cells caused by free-radicals, improving memory and mental acuity, as well as increasing the overall efficiency of the digestive tract.
DETOX
Avocado oil is loaded with chlorophyll – a natural source of super-healthy magnesium and one of the best-known natural substances for removing heavy metals like mercury and lead from the liver, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
CELL REGENERATION
The vitamin E, potassium, and lecithin which are the primary skin-feeding nutrients in the oil are all easily absorbed through the epidermis – the outermost layer of the skin – and into the dermis. Due to its high concentration of anti-inflammatory oleic acid, avocado oil can be applied topically to ease discomfort caused by all manner of skin conditions and help w/ wound healing. In fact, this oil increases cell proliferation and during would healing this leads to an increase of the numbers of fibroblasts which lead to smooth, unwrinkled skin. It may reduce scars, soothe eczema and is even a light UV filer for Sun protection. Avocado oil is also nourishing for your hair and can help w/ a dry, itchy scalp.
I remember running into one of the most beautiful women at a grocery store when I was younger. I was so in awe of her beauty in fact that I complimented her. She was at that moment unloading a basket full of avocados. She responded, "Thank you but it's all due to these avocados".