Awesome Avocado (Persea gratissma) Oil and How it Benefits the Skin and Hair.

If you live in Southern California chances are when you hear the word avocado you're thinking guacamole NOT skin or hair care products. And while it does make a mighty tasty dip, avocado is also amazing for the skin and hair.

Unrefined avocado oil is a chlorophyll rich green liquid with an aroma reminiscent of avocado. The refined oil is paler and does not carry a strong odor. While the unrefined version contains the most nutrients some may not care for its aroma.

Avocado oils benefits are derived by its chemical profile. It is rich in oleic (Omega 9), palmitic, and linoleic (omega 6) fatty acids and has a good range of vitamin E components such as alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol.

So what does this mean for skin and hair? For starters oleic acid is very moisturizing, absorbs quickly, helps skin cells to regenerate, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Palmitic acid forms a protective, occlusive layer on the skin. Linoleic acid (omega 6) soothes dry skin, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and improves the skins barrier function. The vitamin E components support wound healing and are excellent anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories.

In addition avocado oil also contains lutein, a carotenoid with potential UV protectant activity.

So avocado oil and products made with it offer improved moisture retention, occlusive properties to coat and soothe dry skin, and conditioning properties for the hair. It can be used in everything from facial cleaners, creams, lotions, body washes, serums, massage oils, as well as hair and nail products.

So not only can avocado make taco night better, the oil can do wonders for the skin and hair.

We use avocado oil in Be Lola products and in our detoxifying Himalayan salt scrub that we featured recently in a live video on the Be Kekoa Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bekekoa/). These products are available on the Be Kekoa website and Be Kekoa Apothecary website. And right now the scrub is on sale!

For you DIY types give this skin soothing salve recipe with avocado a try -- it makes about 4 oz:

1/2 oz beeswax

1/2 oz cocoa butter

1.5 oz shea butter

1.5 oz avocado oil

two 2 oz jars or one 4 oz jar

Add beeswax and cocoa butter to a double boiler set up. Once melted add in shea butter and avocado oil. Stir gently to blend. If you'd like to add essential oils you can add 10-12 drops per oz directly to the jars, pour the melted mixture over the essential oils and mix. Let cool and use to soothe dry skin,

So avocado will not only make a delicious bowl of guac, it can also do wonders for the skin and hair. Give our handcrafted avocado oil containing products a try and see for yourself.

If you have questions about avocado oil. aromatherapy, or natural wellness comment below or contact Tricia.