How is avocado oil produced?

The avocado tree is a member of the Lauraceae family, originating from Mexico. From its fruit, we extract an oil that has a characteristic sweet smell and a rather rich feel. It presents itself as a thick oily liquid ranging in color from yellow to brown, passing through green. When the temperature drops (below 20°C), the oil solidifies and becomes almost solid.

This natural extract is used in cosmetics for its regenerative and nourishing properties. Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, it easily penetrates skin tissues without leaving a greasy film. It has also been proven that theavocado vegetable oil has a antioxidant power, due to the vitamin E and carotenoids it contains.

Finally, a study has shown that the daily application of a cream based on avocado oil can improve the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Its various virtues make it a key ingredient in skincare. However, avocado oil is also an ally of hair that is dull and fragile. Indeed, it coats the hair fiber to nourish, protect, and strengthen it. It also helps to prevent the appearance of split ends and makes the hair shinier.

To obtain this oil with its numerous virtues, the following steps are followed:

1. Avocado cores are harvested then cleaned, in order to remove all impurities that may be attached to their surface. For this, a cleaner-separator is used, acting like a filter or a sieve.

2. The kernels are then dried for several days. The drying can be done in the sun or in a room, where the temperature is controlled. This step is necessary to remove all the moisture present in the kernel.

3. Once the kernels are completely dry, they are mechanically pressed flat to extract the oil. This is a cold press process, where the kernels are not heated before extraction. The temperature is, in fact, rigorously monitored throughout the process. Indeed, a temperature that is too high can oxidize and degrade the oil. In the context of cold pressing, a screw press is used to push the kernel into a barrel-shaped cavity. The screw compresses the kernel and the oil comes out through the openings, while the pressing residues (cake) remain in the barrel.

4. The obtained substance is then decanted and filtered. Both of these processes are performed without solvents. Thus, avocado vegetable oil is a 100% natural ingredient. The decanting takes place over several weeks to eliminate the largest particles. The filtering then completes this process. The goal is to rid the oil of any remaining traces of impurities.

Let's note that this process leads to the production of a virgin avocado vegetable oil. There are other extraction techniques such as solvent extraction, commonly used in the food industry and involving the use of hexane or acetone. The avocado oil used in Typology skincare products is exclusively virgin and has not undergone any chemical treatment. It is also possible to extract the oil from the fruit's flesh, although this is less common in the cosmetic field.