When you think of avocados, you probably think of them all smashed up, tossed with some tomatoes and onions, splashed with salt and lime, ready to be devoured with a crunchy tortilla chip. And although this is may be one of the tastiest ways to enjoy an avocado, this little green fruit is packed with benefits that go way beyond guacamole.

When you think of skin care, you probably don’t think about avocados, but you should.

The oils from this hidden gem of the skincare world are full of nutrients and can do wonders for dry or damaged skin.

In fact, people all over the world have been using natural oils on the skin for centuries, and with pretty impressive results. Here in the United States though, it is still a relatively new concept, and people are starting to let go of the fear that adding oil to your skin will only clog pores and cause breakouts, and are taking advantage of the many age defying benefits it provides.

Avocado Oil: How It Works
When you apply avocado oil onto your skin, a lot of things start to happen. First, avocado oil naturally triggers the production of collagen which is responsible for tightening your skin and preventing wrinkles and other signs of aging. Secondly, with the avocado’s super ability to hold in moisture, the oil is a lifesaver for those with dry skin. Using avocado oil on your skin helps to lock in the moisture that some lotions and cosmetics can suck right out of you. It can act as a natural moisturizer and can relieve itchy and irritated skin, even in cases of eczema or psoriasis. Also, avocado oil isn’t just for adults! Babies who have painful diaper rashes can find relief from the burn with just a little touch of avocado oil to the sensitive area.

Avocado Oil For Acne
Acne can be one of the most frustrating and embarrassing skin issues to deal with, especially when you thought it was only going to be a puberty thing! Because avocado oil is so rich in nutrients like vitamins A, B, E, and D, it is an excellent natural resource to help not only fight acne, but treat the scars years of acne have left on the skin. A popular way to use avocado oil to treat acne is to mix about a teaspoon of cold pressed avocado oil with a similar amount of castor oil in a small bowl. Massage the mixture into your skin with clean hands, and apply a very warm washrag to your face. After a few minutes, rinse the oil off of your skin with cold water to help close the pores.

Avocado Oil for Skin Damage
Avocado oil is quickly becoming one of those “must haves” for purses, glove compartments and diaper bags across the country. The ability for the oil to quickly treat wounds, burns, itchy skin, blisters, bug bites and stings, rashes and sunburns is a welcome relief to all skin types. After cleaning the area, it just takes a drop or two of the magical avocado oil to start the healing process, and can help minimize the appearance of scars afterwards.

Avocado Oil for Sun Exposure
As we reach the final long days of summer, many people are maximizing their time under the sun. Next time you go out, along with your sunglasses, sunscreen, and floppy hat, remember to throw some avocado oil in your beach bag. It’s useful for repairing the skin after the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. Avocado oil has been shown to have the ability to repair damaged DNA caused by the sun, which in turn helps to prevent many sun-related cancers and age spots.

Coconut Oil vs. Avocado Oil
The list of benefits of this amazing oil goes on and on, and we even dare to ask, is avocado oil the new coconut oil? Avocado oil is becoming much more mainstream, and people are excited about everything it can do for their dry, damaged, itchy, burnt, wounded, aging skin. But don’t feel like you have to decide between coconut oil and avocado oil, as both oils have their varying benefits. Coconut oil may be working for you now, and avocado oil may become your go-to skin care product years down the line.  

Your skin is not the same as your sister’s skin, and your skin today will not be the same as your skin 10 years from now. From a bio-individuality standpoint, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin regime, wellness plan, and diet is fluid and ever-changing, and what works for one person may not work for the next. What does work, however, is trying and experimenting with different, natural ingredients, like avocado oil, to find the best product for your skin care needs.

Overall, avocado does a lot more than pair well with a margarita and some tortilla chips, and in oil form, it’s quickly becoming a make-up bag staple. It’s important to remember that when it comes to avocado oil, a little goes a long way, and it only takes a drop or two to get the job done; whether that job is preventing acne, reducing age spots and wrinkles, or protecting your precious skin from the sun.

What’s your favorite way to use avocado oil? Share in the comments below!