What are the benefits of avocado oil on hair?

The avocado is a fruit renowned for its culinary virtues. Originating from Latin America, it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, often referred to as "good fats". It is also recognised for its content of vitamin E and carotenoids. Its oil, extracted by cold pressing from the fruit's seed, is composed of the same active ingredients and possesses a characteristic fruity aroma.

Non-comedogenic, it is suitable for all skin types, and can be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children. In a cosmetic product, it carries the INCI nomenclature Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil. Avocado oil provides several benefits to the hair, which we invite you to discover.

At Typology, we use a 100% organic avocado oil, extracted from avocados sourced from organic farming.

The vegetable oil derived from avocados is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid and palmitoleic acid. Naturally present in the hydrolipidic film that coats the hair, these compounds act as a protective veil, shielding the hair from external aggressions (wind, temperature fluctuations, pollution, etc.).

Furthermore, avocado oil contains saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid. These molecules have a structure similar to that of the lipids that make up the cuticle of the hair. They are therefore able to integrate themselves where they act as an intercellular cement.

By contributing to the restoration and cohesion of the cuticle, saturated fatty acids also promote its impermeability and the protection of the internal layers of the hair fibre, such as the cortex. This is rich in keratin fibres, giving hair its flexibility and elasticity. Therefore, avocado vegetable oil is an interesting ingredient for dry or damaged hair.

As outlined above, the saturated fatty acids in avocado vegetable oil can strengthen the cohesion between the scales of the cuticle. When the structure of the hair fibre is robust and the scales forming its cuticle are properly bonded, the hair appears more shiny, because it is able to reflect light.

Rich in tocopherols (vitamin E) and carotenoids, antioxidants, avocado oil combats the effects of free radicals. The hair application of this natural ingredient thus helps to protect the hair from exposure to UV radiation or pollution. Moreover, it slows down the appearance of split ends and grey hair, which a study has shown to be correlated with the presence of free radicals. Indeed, it seems that these are capable of triggering a chain reaction leading to the degradation of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour.

Theavocado oil is used in the formulation of various hair care products: conditioners, masks... It can also be used in its pure form, applied directly to the hair. To benefit from the hair-enhancing properties of avocado oil, we suggest you try our repairing hair mask.

This treatment, enriched with biomimetic ceramides (INCI name: Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters) and mango butter (INCI name: Mangifera Indica Seed Butter), deeply repairs and nourishes the hair fibre, softening the hair and preventing the appearance of split ends. The avocado oil contained in this mask allows it to fill the hair cuticles, providing shine and flexibility.

This mask is to be used 1 to 2 times per week. Its creamy texture instantly coats the hair fibre and softens the hair without weighing it down. It should be applied to washed and towel-dried hair from mid-lengths to ends. Allow it to work for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

• ORTIZ-VIEDMA J. & al. Avocado oil: characteristics, properties, and applications. Molecules (2019).

• HEREDIA J. B. & al. Fatty acid profile, total carotenoids, and free radical-scavenging from the lipophilic fractions of 12 native mexican avocado accessions. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (2019).

• KANG T. & al. Fatty acid derivatives isolated from the oil of Persea americana (Avocado) protects against neomycin-induced hair cell damage. Plants (2021).