Avocado Oil in Skincare: Benefits, Uses, and Comparisons

Avocado oil in skin care

Avocado oil (Persea gratissima) is extracted from the pulp of avocados through multiple kinds of organic pressing processes.

It is used in skin care for its hydrating fatty acids, skin lightening properties, and antioxidant capabilities.

The unique fatty acid composition of avocado oil makes it useful and common in many skin and hair care products like these.

What kind of oil is avocado oil?

There are many different classifications of oils in skin care, and avocado oil falls into a couple of categories of them.

Avocado oil is primarily, but not exclusively, composed of unsaturated fatty acids, which means it could be classified as a “dry oil.”

Though it is derived from plants, avocado oil is too thick to be considered an essential oil; it is instead considered a carrier oil by those classifications.

The active compounds in avocado oil are great for hydrating skin, aiding with ingredient absorption, and treating dark spots. Here are some of my favorite avocado oil products:

Active compounds of avocado oil

The most significant compound in avocado oil by concentration is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. (39)

Oleic acid creates tiny perforations on the skin which helps other ingredients sink in and absorb fully into the skin. Avocado oil has nearly as much oleic acid as olive oil does.

Avocado oil also contains significant concentrations of saturated palmitic acids. Palmitic acids are great for moisturizing the skin and give avocado oil some of its occlusive thickness. This fatty acid can also clog the pores of some particularly sensitive skin types.

Avocado oil even has desirable, anti-inflammatory linoleic fatty acids. Linoleic acid is great for soothing redness and is very good at hydrating the skin..

Antioxidant properties are associated with many of these and other active phenolic compounds like ferulic acid present in avocado oil.

Benefits of avocado oil

Benefits

Because of its fatty acid composition, there are many possible benefits in using avocado oil in your skin care regimen.

The oleic acid in avocado oil works great in combination with ingredients like retinoids to help them absorb more quickly and deeper into the skin.

The moisturizing fatty acids in avocado oil are good for use with other hydrating and soothing ingredients in products like barrier repair moisturizers.

The overall structure of the oil makes it a good occlusive, meaning it could be used in treatments like skin slugging.

It does not contain comedogenic fatty acids like lauric acid, so it is not likely to clog the pores of sensitive skin.

Antioxidants, like those in avocado oil, are used in anti-aging regimens for eliminating free radicals on the skin. (33)

Side effects

Avocado oil does not have any notable potential side effects in skin care besides using it on the wrong skin types. (34)

If your skin is extremely dry, overuse of avocado oil can cause irritation and redness on applied areas due to its high concentration of oleic acid. Its low concentration of palmitic acid can also clog the pores of acne prone skin types.

Is it safe?

Avocado oil is extremely safe to use in skin care in terms of toxicity and odds of allergy.

The EWG rating for avocado oil is “1.” There are no commonly associated concerns surrounding the use of avocado oil.

In skin care, most of the avocado oil used is organically processed because chemical processing removes many beneficial fatty acids. (33)

To find out if avocado oil is right for your skin, take our questionnaire and shop by your skin type!

Take the Quiz

Is avocado oil safe

For specific conditions

Avocado oil is an effective occlusive, moisturizer, and antioxidant used in many skin care products targeting specific conditions such as:

Acne

Avocado oil is safe for use in acne treatments because it is not particularly comedogenic,(12) however specific studies still need to be conducted regarding its effect on acne causing bacteria.

Oily skin types do not usually need to use many, if any, oils in their skin care routine.

Avocado oil might appear in acne products alongside natural antimicrobial ingredients like these five oils:

Bergamot oil

Coconut oil

Jojoba oil

Tea tree oil

Marula oil

Many oils are not good to use on acne-prone skin, so shop by your skin type to help avoid acne breakouts!

Dry skin

Avocado is very commonly used in moisturizers for many skin types.

As an occlusive, many moisturizers benefit from its ability to inhibit transepidermal water loss.

Avocado oil has a high amount of hydrating fatty acids, but its high oleic acid concentration can damage extremely dry skin.

Extremely dry skin types should avoid products with high amounts of oleic acid because it can irritate the skin barrier. (29)

The best oils for dry skin have high linoleic acid concentrations and very low oleic acid.

Five of the best oils for dry skin are:

Borage seed oil

Evening primrose oil

Grape seed oil

Rosehip oil

Sunflower oil

Dark spots

Another common use for avocado oil in skin care is as an ingredient in dark spot treatments, but should be combined with skin lighteners for best results.(34)

As avocado oil is primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids, it has tyrosinase inhibiting functions that treat dark spots.

Tyrosinase inhibitors are used to treat all kinds of hyperpigmentation like melasma or PIH.

Weak, natural tyrosinase inhibitors are best used in combination with other skin lightening ingredients like hexylresorcinol or licorice extract.

Wrinkles

Natural ingredients with high amounts of antioxidants, like avocado oil, are used in many wrinkle and anti-aging products. (37)

Antioxidants eliminate free radicals on the skin which contribute to skin aging.

Avocado oil is most effective for anti-aging regimens when used alongside more potent anti-aging ingredients like retinoids.

Plant extracts like avocado oil are not typically powerful enough anti-aging ingredients to be used on their own.

Avocado oil vs coconut oil

Coconut oils are primarily composed of saturated fatty acids, while avocado oil is primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids.

The unsaturated fatty acids in avocado oil are tyrosinase inhibiting, they slow the skin’s production of melanin.

Avocado oil is less comedogenic,

The saturated fats in coconut oil are tyrosinase activating, they can assist in the production of melanin and increase the tanning of skin. (35)

Coconut oil does not contain a significant concentration of oleic acid, so it is safe for use on dry skin types.

However, coconut oil contains high concentrations of comedogenic lauric acids, which are great for eliminating bacteria but bad for acne-prone skin.

For hair care, coconut oil is generally used for its protective, heavy, and moisturizing qualities, while avocado oil is light and does not damage curls.

Coconut oil and avocado oil serve very different purposes in skin care based on their drastically different fatty acid compositions.

Which types of products contain avocado oil?

Avocado oil can be found in various product including but not limited to:

Dark spot treatments

Eye rescue serums

Moisturizing creams

Sunscreens

You can check out our full collection of avocado oil products here!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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