What are the dangers of avocado oil?

Theavocado vegetable oil is extracted by cold pressing the kernels of the avocado fruit, a tree native to South America and belonging to the Lauraceae family. From an organoleptic perspective, it presents itself as a fairly thick liquid, ranging in colour from yellow to brown, which can solidify when exposed to temperatures below 20°C. Its characteristic and highly appreciated fruity and light aroma is distinctive.

In addition to its olfactory properties, theavocado oil has numerous benefits for the skin and hair, due to its biochemical composition rich in fatty acids and vitamins.

• Anti-inflammatory : Thanks to the phytosterols present in its composition, avocado vegetable oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds indeed have a regulatory activity on certain inflammation processes. This vegetable oil can thus be used to soothe itching or certain redness.

• Antioxidant : Particularly rich in Vitamin E and carotenoids, avocado oil is an excellent antioxidant treatment to protect the skin against the damaging effects of free radicals. These reactive and unstable molecules are notably responsible for premature skin ageing. Thus, avocado vegetable oil is an ideal ally to prevent the onset of wrinkles and the weakening of the hair follicle.

• Softening : according to a study, theavocado vegetable oil would have benefits on the flexibility and firmness of the skin. Indeed, volunteers aged between 30 to 60 years applied a cream based on avocado oil to their face daily for 12 weeks and the researchers observed several benefits. They particularly noticed a reduction in the depth of some wrinkles, as well as a global increase in the elasticity and firmness of the skin.

• Nourishing : Linoleic acid found in avocado oil helps to stimulate cell renewal, thus contributing to the restoration and maintenance of the protective corneal layer of the epidermis. Avocado oil can also be used in hair application to nourish and strengthen the hair fibre. It thus protects fine and fragile hair and makes it shinier.

• Protective : naturally present in the hydrolipidic film of the skin, the saturated fatty acids in avocado oil form a protective veil on the epidermis. This film acts as a shield on the skin and notably helps to protect it from UV rays, pollution, and dehydration.

As of today, there are no known contraindications to the use of avocado oil. Its topical application is suitable for young children, as well as for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Moreover, this botanical extract is suitable for sensitive skin and will be particularly appreciated by dry skin lacking in lipids. Its composition, rich in saturated fatty acids, allows it to be easily absorbed by the epidermis, as the structure of these molecules is similar to those of the compounds found in the skin.

It is also worth noting that avocado oil is non-comedogenic, meaning that its application does not cause an occlusive effect on the skin, a phenomenon that promotes the appearance of comedones. Therefore, it is very well tolerated by oily skin types, which are often prone to blemishes.

Avocado oil can be applied neatly to the skin or used to dilute an essential oil. The latter typically represents 2 to 5% of the final concentration of a skincare product. To prevent the avocado oil from oxidising and losing its benefits, it is recommended to store it in a tightly sealed bottle away from light.

Furthermore, ensure that your oil is derived from a cold pressing process. This traditional method does not require the use of high temperatures, which could potentially destroy some of the fatty acids in avocado oil, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Finally, after opening the container, it is advisable to use the vegetable oil within six months.

If this is your first time applying avocado oil to your skin, it is advisable to conduct a tolerance test. Indeed, although this extract is usually very well tolerated, some individuals react to its contact and develop redness. To ensure that you are not one of them, apply a small amount of oil to the inside of your elbow and wait for 24 hours. If you observe no reaction, you can use this treatment.

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