Ricky RapsHaving chronically dry skin is no fun, particularly during the winter months, when harsh winds and low humidity can quickly strip away any moisture your skin does have.
Thankfully, there are a number of natural remedies for dry skin – including avocado oil! Read on to learn more about how avocado oil can help heal dry skin, as well as how to go about using it to this effect.
First Things First
There are several potential medical causes for dry skin. These include eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, dehydration, and hypothyroidism. (1)
Whether you have one of these medical conditions or not, it’s worth speaking to a dermatologist before trying to combat your dry skin.
A medical professional will be able to help you figure out whether or not you have an allergy that might make avocado oil an unsuitable remedy for your dry skin.
For most people, though, avocado oil is a fantastic solution to dry skin – all thanks to the following documented benefits.
#1 – Avocado Oil Moisturizes Dry Skin
Researchers behind a 2018 study hailed avocado oil as an “excellent source of enrichment for dry, damaged, or chapped skin.” (2)
This characteristic comes thanks to the vitamin E, potassium, lecithin and other nutrients that work wonders for you skin.
Your skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, absorbs these nutrients very easily, which even helps you generate new, healthy skin.
#2 – Avocado Oil Repairs Damaged Skin
If you suffer from psoriasis or eczema, avocado oil contains antioxidants and vitamins that could prove super useful to you. Also, compounds within avocado oil support collagen synthesis and the wound healing process. (3)
If you’ve ever suffered through eczema or psoriasis, then you know that support skin repair is critical.
But if you want to use avocado oil topically to combat either of these ailments, speak to a dermatologist first. They’ll likely recommend that you try the oil on a small patch of the affected skin first to make sure it doesn’t exacerbate your symptoms.
#3 – Avocado Oil Accelerates The Healing of Wounds
Avocado oil contains oleic acid and essential fatty acids that help your body produce collagen. This process is key when trying to heal damaged skin, which makes avocado oil a very helpful aid for damaged skin, which can make dry skin even more painful. (4)
The essential fatty acids in avocado oil also offer anti-inflammatory benefits, which can tame the inflammation you experience during the healing process.
#4 – Avocado Oil Reduces Dandruff
One major, noticeable problem people experience along with dry skin is a dry scalp and – consequentially – dandruff.
Few things are as nerve wracking as hoping that others don’t notice your flaky scalp. I’m sure you’ll agree that you’d prefer no flakes in your hair while having a real up-and-close conversation.
Thankfully, if you apply avocado oil to your hair as a hot oil mask, you should experience relief from dandruff. Or simply massage it in a few or more times a week. (5)
#5 – Avocado Oil Fights Signs of Aging
Avocado oil contains lots of carotenoids, including lutein. This antioxidant prevents age-related eye degeneration. Research also suggests that lutein can protect your skin form UV rays. (6)
What’s more, avocado oil contains chlorophyll – another antioxidant. Chlorophyll abolishes free radicals in your skin. Free radicals are the root of oxidative damage. Many scientists propose that free radicals are actually at the root of aging itself.
A Note of Caution:
Do you have a latex allergy? Or have you had any reaction to avocados? Well then, you should use avocado oil with caution and only after speaking with a trusted healthcare provider. Avocados share compounds with latex that could cause problems for you. (7. 8)