Is Avocado good for your skin and if so what makes it so
beneficial?
While using avocado
directly on the face is a popular natural beauty treatment, many people have
found that just eating avocado regularly can do wonders for their complexion.
Avocados
are rich in healthy fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that can improve
your skin from the inside. Here are four of the best avocado benefits for your
skin and even more reasons to eat one of nature’s healthiest foods.
1. Antioxidant Carotenoids for Healthy Skin
Avocados are a great
source of antioxidant carotenoids like alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta
cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. These free radical quenching compounds
provide significant protection for your skin from the environmental damage
that leads to fine lines, wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
High amounts of
carotenoids in your diet have been shown in. scientific studies to improve your
skin’s density, thickness, tone and general appearance. Butternut squash is
another high antioxidant food that’s also well worth adding to your diet for
better skin.
2. Vitamin C
Many people are
surprised to find out that avocado contains good amounts of vitamin C for
healthy skin. We should ideally have many sources of vitamin C in our diet
every day as it is water soluble and cannot be stored in your body.
As well as having strong
antioxidant properties, vitamin C is needed for the creation of elastin
and collagen, which bind your skin cells together and maintain their firmness
and structure.
3. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another
skin antioxidant, but since it is fat soluble it is used by the body in a
different way. Vitamin E assists in preventing free radical damage from
oxidizing fats in your skin cells that lead to aging skin. Research
studies have also demonstrated that vitamin E can reduce from sun exposure on
skin.
Vitamin E is much better
for you and your skin when it’s obtained from natural sources like avocados.
Here’s 15 other types of foods that are good sources of this important
fat soluble vitamin.
4. Moisturizing Monounsaturated Fatty
Acids
One of the main avocado
skin benefits comes from their high oleic acid content. This monounsaturated
fatty acid maintains moisture in the epidermal layer of your skin,
helping to make it soft and hydrated. An omega-9 fat, oleic acid is also
involved in regenerating damaged skin cells and reducing facial redness and
irritation.