What is "Persea Gratissima Oil" and what is its utility?

Originally from Mexico but now also cultivated in other countries such as Peru, Spain, the Dominican Republic... the avocado is a berry highly valued for its nutritional benefits as well as its cosmetic properties. Extracted by cold pressing the seeds, its light, slightly coloured and particularly nutritious oil is a true ally for the skin and hair.

Rich in essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid (omega-6), oleic acid (omega-9), palmitic acid and stearic acid, avocado oil is particularly nourishing for the skin. Its supple texture, which is lightly scented and non-comedogenic, is quickly absorbed by the epidermis. It also contains numerous vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, H, K and PP) as well as carotenoids (beta-carotenes) and phytosterols (beta-sitosterol).

A natural product with low sensitivity to oxidation, avocado oil can be easily preserved, preferably in a cool and dimly lit place.

Theavocado oil contains numerous vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. The ingredients found in this oil are also present in the skin's structure. This makes it an ideal ingredient for skincare:

• An ally against skin ageing.

  The skin is daily assaulted by free radicals, these reactive oxygen species naturally produced by the body. This phenomenon is normal, but stress, pollution, sun exposure, smoking, and of course, an unbalanced diet, promote their excessive production. The skin loses its elasticity and suppleness. Wrinkles form on the surface. Avocado oil contains anti-radical compounds such as vitamin E or carotenoids that stabilise and neutralise free radicals. It is thus antioxidant and helps to combat premature skin ageing.

• A firmness asset.

  Collagen is a fibrous protein that makes up the connective tissue found in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin. It ensures the firmness of the skin, its plump appearance, and the regularity of the facial oval. As we age, collagen synthesis slows down and its content decreases. This leads to skin sagging and deepening wrinkles. Researchers have demonstrated the ability of avocado oil to inhibit the activity of lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen by substitifying a carbonyl group for an amine group of a lysine residue. Avocado oil thus limits collagen degradation and maintains skin firmness.

• Moisturising and nourishing properties.

  The skin has a natural protective barrier known as the hydrolipidic film. It shields against external aggressions and slows down insensible water loss. Avocado oil, rich in omega-6 and omega-9, preserves this hydrolipidic film. The skin then retains its hydration, becoming more supple and radiant. This is a treatment particularly recommended for dry and dehydrated skin.

Hair also suffers from the assaults of pollution, climate, as well as dietary deficiencies or excesses, tobacco... Its quality changes with age, hormonal shifts, dyes... Hair that breaks, splits, dulls are the major inconveniences. Just like the skin, it needs to be nourished, protected and strengthened.

The minerals found in avocado vegetable oil, such as potassium and magnesium, help to seal hair cuticles, thereby preventing breakage. The texture of this oil, much lighter than other vegetable oils, deeply penetrates hair fibres to nourish them without weighing them down. Antioxidant molecules, carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin E have a particularly protective action. Finally, avocado oil has beneficial fungicidal and antibacterial activities that soothe irritated scalps prone to itching and/or dandruff.

Typology has developed arestorative hair maskbased on biomimetic ceramides and avocado oil. This treatment deeply repairs and nourishes the hair fibre, smooths and softens the hair, and prevents the appearance of split ends.

• NEEMAN I. & al. The effect of various avocado oils on skin collagen metabolism.  Connective Tissue Research (1991).

• 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).