Eating them:
The world’s obsession with avocados is one of those win:win situations - they are not only delicious but have the added bonus of being naturally good for our health. They’re one of those foods that can do no wrong - high in healthy monounsaturated fats (around 70% of the fat content), with significant amounts of fibre, potassium, magnesium, vitamins B, C, E and K, carotenoids, phenolic antioxidants and phytosterols. Avocados have also been shown to boost absorption of carotenoids from the gut, so inclusion of avocado in your salad increases your uptake of carotenoids from other foods. They have been shown to help protect against cardiovascular disease and weight gain, and may protect against some cancers and osteoarthritis. To top it off, your avocado comes packaged in a tough skin, which provides resistance to disease and insect attack, allowing it to be grown and sold in ethical and environmentally friendly ways. We also love using this truly remarkable fruit in our all natural certified organic skin care.
Avocados in your skin care:
At Mokosh, our love of avocados extends to its oil, which is a highly nutritious skin food - particularly for normal and dry skin types. Unlike most plant oils, which are extracted from seeds, avocado oil is obtained from the edible flesh of the fruit. This natural oil retains many of the nutrients of the fruit, the exceptions being the fibre and the water-soluble vitamins B and C. The water-soluble components of a fruit or seed are not retained in its extracted oil, so for example rosehip oil contains none of the water-soluble vitamin C, even though vitamin C is abundant in the whole rosehip fruit. Our avocado oil is particularly special - it is biodynamic, certified organic and cold-pressed, so it retains the precious beautifying nutrients which may be lacking in highly refined versions.
The monounsaturated fatty acid that is predominant in avocado oil is oleic acid (around 70%), an omega-9 fatty acid, which is complemented by lesser amounts of the omega-6 essential fatty acid linoleic acid (around 15%) and the saturated palmitic acid (around 15%). This profile makes it highly suitable for normal and dry skin because it offers the protective benefits that are essential for optimal care of these skin types.
Avocado oil is also rich in vitamin E and carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants for the skin, helping protect against the ageing effects of free radicals generated by UV light and toxins in pollutants. Avocado oil also contains a good level of phytosterols, plant-derived compounds which, following topical application, have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Intriguingly, topical application of phytosterols was shown to inhibit the damaging effect of UV light on collagen, and also stimulated the synthesis of collagen in skin.
You can find our precious avocado oil in three of our all natural 100% certified organic skin care products: Rich Face Cream (for normal and dry skin), Raspberry & Pomegranate Beauty Serum (for normal and dry skin) and Sesame & Frankincense Body Oil (for all skin types).
Adding avocado to your skin care at home:
You can enjoy the additional benefits of the water-soluble nutrients in fresh avocado by making your own organic avocado mask.
Nourishing avocado mask
This is something you can do in a quiet moment using as little as a quarter of an avocado. The fresh fruit provides the benefits of both the fatty acids and water-soluble components, particularly vitamins B and C. Simply mash it with a fork and apply to your face for around 15 minutes.
You can spice it up further with the following additions:
Exfoliating and Nourishing Avocado + Paw-Paw Mask
Paw-paw contains both alpha-hydroxy acids and the enzyme papain which will provide exfoliation and brighten the skin. It also contains vitamins A, C and E. Take equal amounts of avocado and paw-paw, approximately half a tablespoon of each, mix together and apply. Remove if tingling occurs. People with latex allergies should avoid paw-paw.
Soothing and Nourishing Avocado + Aloe Vera mask
If you are lucky enough to be able to get hold of fresh aloe vera, preferably from your own garden so you always have it on hand, you will love using it for minor burns or abrasions and to treat yourself to one of the most hydrating, nourishing organic face masks available. In addition to its anti-inflammatory, soothing properties, it is rich in vitamins and minerals and contains humectants which help plump the skin.
Simply cut the leaf along the stem and scoop out the gel. Mix with equal amounts of avocado and apply for around 15 minutes.
Other mask ideas
You might like to try mixing avocado with organic unrefined honey for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, or natural dairy yoghurt for its content of lactic acid: an alpha-hydroxy acid which provides exfoliation. A note of warning: lemon juice and avocado are great for eating, but don’t use lemon juice on your face - it contains photosensitising chemicals that may blister the skin following exposure to sunlight some time after application.
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