Eat your avocados and apply them to your skin too to soothe your range of skin care woes.
Avocados are a popular ingredient not only in food, but in skin care products—and it’s easy to see why. These fruits are loaded with vitamins and minerals, from B-vitamins to potassium. They’re so packed with nutrition that they can be used to care for many different skin types, from acne-prone and oily skin, to dry skin, to aging skin. In this post, we’ll discover the many benefits of avocado for skin, and explore some vitamin and mineral packed DIY recipes for avocado face masks.
Benefits of an avocado face mask
- Avocados contain antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, which make them excellent for aging skin. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals, rogue electrons that accumulate in the skin tissue and contribute to skin damage. By fighting free radicals, antioxidants help to slow down the onset of skin aging. Antioxidants also help to keep your complexion looking bright and refreshed.
- Antioxidants are also rich in fatty acids, which help to bolster the skin’s defensive barrier. Keeping your skin’s barrier healthy and strong will help it to retain moisture, preventing dry skin. It’ll also keep your skin protected from environmental aggressors.
- Avocado also has anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. It can reduce redness and speed up the healing process, helping your skin to recover from breakouts.
When it comes to skin health, it’s best to use pure, whole, organic ingredients, and to avoid synthetic dyes, fragrances, and filler ingredients. By making a DIY face mask with avocado, you’ll experience the benefits of this nutritious fruit, and you’ll know exactly what you’re putting on your skin.
Avocado face mask recipes
Avocado mask for oily skin and acne-prone skin
This homemade avocado mask includes mashed avocado to replenish the skin’s nutrients and help it to recover from breakouts. It also features jojoba oil to moisturize the skin and balance its oil production without clogging pores. Finally, it features tea tree oil to eliminate acne-causing bacteria in the skin tissue.
This mask is intended for use after cleansing your skin (and after exfoliating, if it’s an exfoliating day). Think of it as a multi-tasking, restorative formula to help eliminate the root cause of acne, balance oiliness, and promote skin healing.
To make the mask, mash up ¼ of an avocado until it’s smoothly blended. Then add ½ tablespoon of jojoba oil and 1-2 drops of tea tree oil, and mix to completely combine. Refrigerate the mask for 30-60 minutes, or until it’s slightly cold to the touch. The cold temperature will help to soothe inflammation and relieve redness.
After cleansing your skin and exfoliating (if desired), pat your skin dry and use clean fingers to apply a thin, even layer of the mask to your skin. Leave the mask on for 15-45 minutes, and then gently but thoroughly rinse the mask away. Follow up with the toner, serum, and light moisturizer of your choice.
If you have sensitive skin and think that tea tree oil might not be right for you, consider using another one of these optional ingredients, which all have antibacterial properties: raw honey, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil.
Avocado mask for dry skin
Masks are effective when it comes to restoring hydration to dry skin. This one can be used several times per week to keep your skin healthy and moisturized. Along with avocado, it features honey—a natural humectant that helps to lock hydration into your skin. Avocado and honey are basically the moisturizing dream team, not only delivering hydration but keeping it sealed into your skin. Finally, we’ll add olive oil to nourish and hydrate your skin with its fatty acid, vitamin, and mineral contents.
We recommend using this mask 2-3 times per week, depending on your skin’s needs. Make sure to remove makeup and sunscreen, and cleanse your skin thoroughly before using the mask, and to remove it completely afterward in order to avoid clogging your pores.
To make the mask, mash up ¼ of an avocado into a smooth puree. Then add ½ tablespoon of honey and ¼ tablespoon of olive oil, and stir to mix completely.
To use the mask, cleanse your skin and then soak a clean washcloth in warm water. Gently press the washcloth into your skin for 1-3 minutes in order to open your pores, prepping them to receive the moisture. Apply the mask with clean fingers, let it sit for 30-60 minutes, and then wash your face with warm water to remove the mask. Follow up with a light serum or non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Avocado mask for aging skin
This mask features plenty of antioxidant-packed ingredients that are excellent for revitalizing the skin. Along with avocado, it includes antioxidant-rich sweet almond oil to combat free radicals, and the antioxidant-rich essential oil of your choice. Finally, it features blended egg white to boost the appearance of elasticity.
To make this mask, first mash up ¼ of an avocado until it’s completely blended. In a separate bowl beat 1 egg white with a whisk or mixer until they’ve thickened and become opaque. Add ½ a tablespoon of sweet almond oil and 2-3 drops of your favorite antioxidant-rich oil, such as pomegranate seed oil or rosehip oil. Add the egg white in quarters, gently folding it into the mixture.
To use the mask, first remove any makeup or sunscreen and cleanse your face. Then apply the mask to your skin with clean fingers, and allow it to sink in for up to 45 minutes. Remove it completely, using lukewarm water, and follow up with the toner, serum, and moisturizer of your choice.
Avocado mask for dull complexions
The antioxidant, vitamin, mineral, and fatty acid contents of avocado make it a great, all-around booster for dull complexions. This mask also features natural yogurt, which contains lactic acid to gently exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells to promote radiance. Finally, it includes honey to deeply hydrate your skin and soothe redness.
The radiance-boosting and redness-relieving properties of this mask make it great for use before a big event.
To make the mask, mash up ¼ of an avocado into a smooth puree. Then add ½ tablespoon of yogurt and ½ tablespoon of honey, and stir to completely combine. Store the mask in your refrigerator for 30-60 minutes, until it is cool to the touch. The cold temperature will help to eliminate redness and puffiness, evening your complexion.
To use the mask, cleanse your face thoroughly and then apply a thin layer with clean fingers. Let it sink into your skin for up to 45 minutes, and then rinse away with cool water. If desired, follow up with the toner, serum, and moisturizer of your choice.