Whether your skin is dehydrated from being in a cold climate, or too much time in an air-conditioned environment (offices, buses, planes, etc), or your simply want to pamper yourself with a little DIY home spa mask, avocado is your go-to ingredient.
Avocados are a fantastic yet so simple way to revitalizing, nourishing and hydrating your skin.
By rehydrating your skin, you also plump any fine lines that may be forming – next to sun damage and smoking, dehydration is one of the major causes for prematurely aged skin.
Plus, you skip all the chemical ingredients and synthetics that store-bought beauty products usually contain.
This makes your treatment less irritating for your skin, and friendlier for both your wallet and the environment.
And the best part: any leftover avocado can go straight onto your dinner plate, and nourish you from the inside(see bottom of page for details) with its healthy fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins – be it in a guacamole, a smoothie, key lime pie or chocolate mousse!
Basic MOISTURIZING MASK for NORMAL to DRY skin
You will need:
1/2 avocado
face cloth or small towel
warm water
Method:
Remove the stone from the avocado.
Puree the meat of the avocado using a fork.
Cleanse, gently exfoliate & open the skin’s pores by dipping the face cloth in warm water, and softly wiping your face with it.
Apply the mask and leave it on for 15-20 Minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.
Finish with a splash cold water to close the pores.
Basic MOISTURIZING MASK for SENSITIVE, EXTREMLY DRY or CHAPPED skin
This mask is deeply nourishing and moisturizing, excellent for extra dry, chapped or peeling skin.
In addition to avocado, you will also be using honey and cold pressed coconut oil.
Honey is antioxidative, protective and healing. It retains moisture in your skin while absorbing impurities and gently cleansing your pores. Honey also has antiseptic qualities and is an excellent choice to treat wounds, burns, acne and eczema.
Coconut oil actually has a ton of uses in your beauty cabinet, be it for your face, hair or body. In this mask, you will benefit from its antibacterial, moisturizing and softening abilities as well as its anti-aging capabilities – it can help keep your skin smooth longer through antioxidant Vitamin E.
You will need:
1/2 avocado
face cloth or small towel
warm water
1/2 avocado
2 TBSP honey
1/2 tsp cold pressed coconut oil
Method:
Remove the stone from the avocado.
Puree the meat of the avocado using a fork.
Blend in the other ingredients.
Cleanse, gently exfoliate & open the skin’s pores by dipping the face cloth in warm water, and softly wiping your face with it.
Apply the mask and leave it on for 10-15 Minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.
Finish with a splash cold water to close the pores.
Basic MOISTURIZING MASK for OILY skin & ACNE
This mask contains nourishing avocado, antibacterial and healing honey as well as lemon.
Lemon is a natural astringent, and helps keep the oil your skin produces in balance.
You will need:
face cloth or small towel
warm water
1/2 avocado
1/2 TBSP kaolin clay
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
optional: 1 tsp honey
Method:
Remove the stone from the avocado.
Puree the meat of the avocado using a fork.
Blend in the other ingredients.
Cleanse, gently exfoliate & open the skin’s pores by dipping the face cloth in warm water, and softly wiping your face with it.
Apply the mask and leave it on for 10-15 Minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.
Finish with a splash cold water to close the pores.
EATING FOR BEAUTY – AVOCADO IS A GREAT SOURCE OF:
Antioxidant carotenoids:
Antioxidant carotenoids such as alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Antioxidant carotenoids improve your skin’s density, tone and general appearance. They also protect your skin from signs of aging by fighting free radicals and environmental damage.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is a water soluble antioxidant, also necessary to create collagen and elastin which help keeping firmness and structure of your skin by bind your skin cells together.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant, prevents free radical damage, can reduce the effects of UVA and UVB radiation from sun exposure.
Oleic Acid:
Oleic acid – this monounsaturated omega 9 fatty acid is highly moisturizing and softening for your skin. It also helps regenerate damaged cells, reduce irritation and redness.
