— SKINCARE
— DIY
Overly Ripe Avocados? Try This Homemade DIY Avocado Face Mask
The skin care industry is constantly surprising us with new ways to treat our skin. Whether you’re trying to add some hydration, treat any breakouts, or reduce visible signs of aging, there are many secret ingredients and special techniques that can target any “imperfections” you might have. But there’s one surprising ingredient that’s making a comeback in the beauty world: avocados. That’s right! The fruit usually reserved for toast, guacamole, and salad dressing can be used on your face to promote a healthier, younger-looking appearance. Keep reading to learn more about using avocado in your skin care routine and how to make an easy, at-home DIY avocado face mask.
Why Avocados?
Avocados are super popular in the health and wellness industry. Not only are they a tasty snack, but avocados are also a great source of vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants (there’s a reason they’re a staple in so many kitchens around the world!). Because of these added nutrients, regularly eating avocados has even been known to help promote a healthy body weight, improve heart health, and regulate gut health. But the benefits don’t stop there. Avocados also have the power to improve the appearance of your skin. Keep reading to find out more!
Avocado For Skin
Similar to how avocados give a nice nutrition boost to your body, they also help improve the appearance of your skin for an overall healthier look and youthful glow. In fact, registered dietitian and nutritionist Steve Theunissen believes, “If you want to give your skin the best natural treatment, to ensure [long-lasting] youthfulness and glow, then nothing is better than avocados.” Now, there are many benefits of using avocado skin care, but here are just a few you should know about:
Benefit #1: Avocados Help Protect Skin Against UV Damage
We all know sun damage and other environmental factors play a huge role in the appearance of our skin. If you spend too much time in the sun, your skin may be left dry and discolored with rough texture and wrinkles — which may result in an older appearance. But avocados are chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants that can help prevent this visible damage. Theunissen explains, “Overexposure to the sun can result in a wrinkled face at a younger age. But avocados can help you turn the clock back, as it comes with profuse antioxidants like vitamins E and C. These antioxidants help to fight the free radicals that cause damage to the skin.” So, the next time you plan to spend an extended amount of time in the sun, try using an avocado face mask before heading out the door to ensure your skin is better prepared (and don’t forget your sunscreen!).
Benefit #2: Avocados Help Hydrate Your Skin
As you age, your skin begins to lose water content. So, it’s essential you use skin care that boosts hydration for a supple look and feel that lasts. Avocados are just one ingredient that ensures your skin is getting the moisture it needs. Esthetician Melissa Gilbert explains, “Moisturizing is extremely important for a good complexion, and a product including avocado oil in its formula is great for that purpose. Some products with avocado oil can help your skin preserve moisture and minimize water loss, making it look softer and hydrated.” And that’s because avocados contain potassium (they actually contain more than bananas!). Potassium is a mineral that attracts water. If you don’t consume enough of it, your skin may be left with visible signs of dehydration, like dullness and dry spots. So, if you’re someone who experiences a lot of dryness that won’t go away no matter how you treat your skin, an avocado face mask might be the solution. Health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics, Caleb Backe advises, “It is a great idea to use skincare products with avocado in them as the avocado infuses these products with its natural oils that moisturize skin. What’s more, the natural oils in avocado [are also] a great source of biotin which is known to help prevent dry[ness].”
Bonus Benefit: Avocados Can Help Diminish Other Visible Signs of Aging
Along with adding hydration and helping protect your skin from outside aggressors like sun exposure, avocados also contain powerful nutrients and healthy chemicals that nourish skin for an overall younger look. Naturopathic doctor Kim Harris shares, “Avocados have a chemical named lutein, a carotenoid that promotes skin elasticity. [They also contain] oleic acid and chlorophyll which help to reduce redness and inflammation.” So, regularly using an avocado face mask will not only help your skin remain hydrated — it can leave you with more even-toned, plumper-looking skin, too.
How to Use an Avocado Face Mask
Now that you know why you should use avocado skin care, it’s time to start mixing up your avocado face mask! There are many recipes you can try to pamper your skin, but we’re breaking it down for you. Here are 4 DIY avocado face masks to try now:
Mask #1: For a Quick & Easy Boost
If you’re someone who prefers simplicity in your skin care, this first mask is a great option. It only requires one ingredient, but you’ll still be left with hydrated, plumper-looking skin after just one use.
What you’ll need:
- ½ of a ripe avocado, peeled
What to do:
- Take your half avocado and place it into a bowl
- Using a fork, simply mash the avocado until you get a thick, creamy consistency
- Then, use your clean fingers to gently smooth the mask onto your face
- Let the avocado mask sit on your skin for 15 minutes
- Thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water and use a soft towel to gently pat it dry
Mask #2: For Extra Soothing Power
Combining several powerful ingredients, this homemade avocado face mask goes a bit further. The added turmeric helps reduce redness while the aloe vera soothes your skin for a more even-toned appearance.
What you’ll need:
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera
- A generous pinch of turmeric
What to do:
- Mix your avocado, aloe vera, and turmeric into a bowl and mash everything together with a fork
- Using your clean fingers, smooth the mask over your face in a thin layer
- Let the mask sit on your face for 15 minutes
- Thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water and use a soft towel to gently pat it dry
Mask #3: For Added Radiance
This avocado face mask combines yogurt’s brightening powers with the rich moisturizing effects of raw honey for even more hydration. Not to mention, the added coconut oil can also give fine lines a tighter look.
What you’ll need:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey
What to do:
- Mix your avocado, coconut oil, plain yogurt, and raw honey into a bowl and mash everything together with a fork
- Smooth the mask onto your face in a thin layer
- Let it sit on your skin for 15 minutes
- Thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water and use a soft towel to gently pat it dry
Mask #4: For Exfoliating
If you’re wanting some extra exfoliation in your skin care routine, look no further than this oatmeal-avocado face mask. The texture of the added oatmeal will help get rid of dead skin cells on your face, making room for skin that looks more even, smooth, and radiant.
What you’ll need:
- ½ of a ripe avocado, peeled
- 1 tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal*
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey
*If you don’t have colloidal oatmeal, you can use regular oatmeal and pop it into a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor. Then, grind it down to a smooth, fine powder.
What to do:
- Place your ingredients into a bowl and mash everything together with a fork
- Use your fork to smooth the mask over the face, and let it sit for 15 minutes
- Prior to rinsing your face, gently massage the mix into your skin for about 1 minute (this is great for exfoliating!)
- Thoroughly rinse your face with lukewarm water and use a soft towel to gently pat it dry
Pro tip: Before applying your mask, you should do a patch test on your skin to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction to any of the ingredients (even if you eat avocados often, it may irritate your skin when applied topically). To do a patch test, simply apply a little bit of the mask to a small area of your skin. (The inside of your elbow is a great spot to try it out!) Then, wait a few minutes and look for any signs of redness or irritation that may appear. If everything looks and feels good, then you’re good to add the mask to your face.
One Last Step!
No matter which avocado face mask you choose, it’s essential you pair it with skin care products designed to treat and soothe your skin. So, after rinsing off your mask, be sure to finish your skin care routine with products that also promote an overall youthful appearance. No matter what your skin care routine looks like, you should always use a moisturizer (like a hydrating gel) after washing off your mask. (If you mask up in the daytime, remember to apply sunscreen too!) And for an added boost, using a firming serum or an under-eye cream that targets aging skin will help to ensure your skin looks and feels better than ever.
The Takeaway
Not only will using an avocado face mask help you get the healthy, younger-looking skin you deserve, but it’s also a nice way to take a moment for yourself to sit back and relax. Once you rinse the mask away, your skin will be left looking more even-toned, hydrated, and plumper — and you’ll feel so much better. So, the next time you pick up an avocado at the grocery store for your toast, make sure to grab an extra one for your skin too!
Know someone who would love to try a DIY avocado face mask? Be sure to share this blog with them!
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27213821/
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/electrolytes-for-your-skin-the-facts-behind-the-beauty-hype
https://www.healthline.com/health/avocado-benefits-for-skin
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/avocado-nutrition
https://www.healthline.com/health/coconut-oil-for-wrinkles
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/aloe-vera-for-face
