The humble avocado is quite magnificent, despite the fact that it isn’t the sexiest fruit to look at. It’s about what’s on the inside, right? Right, and both avocados and avocado oil are naturally rich in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and other beneficial antioxidants that reduce free radical damage. Yes, avocados and avocado oil contain heart-healthy nutrients that enhance your diet, but avocado oil can be used in so many ways outside the kitchen.
What’s Avocado Oil Good For?
Pressed from the pulp of avocados, avocado oil is not solely intended for cooking. Whether you want to soften your skin, reduce dark circles under the eyes, or protect hair from becoming damaged, avocado oil is the versatile ingredient you need. Roughly 70% of avocado oil is oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that has been known to improve the health of your scalp. It also contains linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid that increases hair shine. So, as you can see, avocado oil is just as beneficial for cosmetic applications as it is for culinary applications. You can use it in the following ways when you aren’t cooking with it.
Keeps Hair Knot-Free
The last thing you want to do is run a brush through your hair and collide with the knot of all knots. You don’t have to worry about tangled hair when you massage it with a small amount of avocado oil. Not only does it contribute to shinier hair, but it also helps your hair retain moisture, all the while keeping it detangled.
Makeup Remover
You don’t have to do anything to the oil in order for it to remove makeup. When you need to take off makeup at the end of the day, avoid the toxic stuff and use non-toxic avocado oil. Simply dip a cotton ball or cotton pad into some avocado oil and gently rub it over the areas with makeup. Mascara, eye shadow, and blush should easily come off. If you notice leftover residue, massage the oil into your skin to improve skin health.
Get Rid Of Dandruff
Dandruff is a common disorder that involves the excessive shedding of dead skin flakes from the scalp. Skin that is overly oil or dry can contribute to the development of dandruff. Avocado oil supplies the skin with nutrients and moisture, signaling the skin’s oil glands that it doesn’t need to produce more oil. If you suffer from dry, itchy, or flaky scalp, it can be beneficial to regularly massage avocado oil into your scalp.
Soften Cuticles
Similar to coconut oil, avocado oil easily penetrates the skin, making it an excellent option for improving skin elasticity or softening hard or cracked cuticles. A little bit of oil goes a long way when you put it on your cuticles. Instead of dropping avocado oil on the nails and massaging them, you can pour some avocado oil into a little bowl, add a few drops of tea tree oil, and soak your nails in this for about 5-10 minutes. You can do this once a day to improve cuticle health.
A Leave-In Conditioner
If you want to tame your hair and soften it at the same time, use avocado oil as a leave-in conditioner. The great thing about it is that you don’t need a lot of oil! Massage one tablespoon of avocado oil into your hair, starting from your roots and going all the way to your ends. You may need more oil if you hair is very long or thick. Your hair can be damp or dry, but don’t blow dry or straighten your hair while the oil is in your hair.
Aids Hair Growth
Whether you apply it or ingest it, avocado oil works to promote hair growth. The nutrients in avocado oil are especially beneficial for people who have thin or thinning hair because it promotes more volume. You can combine it with some rosemary or peppermint essential oils to create a DIY remedy for thinning hair. The fatty acids that will coat your hair to promote both growth and strength, so apply it today!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
