What are the benefits of avocado oil on the skin?

The linoleic acid found in avocado vegetable oil stimulates cellular renewal, and helps restore and maintain the skin's natural protective barrier. This active ingredient belongs to the omega-6 family and is considered essential because it cannot be synthesized by the body.

It particularly reacts with ceramides, lipids naturally present in the skin that ensure good cohesion between the cells of the stratum corneum. Indeed, when linoleic acid comes into contact with ceramides, an esterification reaction occurs, during which the linoleic acid and lipids bind, forming the skin's impermeable barrier.

A deficiency in linoleic acid leads to the weakening of the epidermal barrier and an increase in insensible water loss (IWL). This results in the skin becoming drier and more prone to irritations. The loss of skin hydration also promotes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, making them more visible. Applying a skincare product containing avocado oil is thus beneficial for individuals with dry skin as it nourishes the epidermis while making it less susceptible to dehydration.

Particularly rich in vitamin E and carotenoids, avocado vegetable oil is an excellent treatment antioxidant to protect the skin from free radicals. These are reactive oxygen species naturally synthesized by the body. When subjected to stress, such as prolonged exposure to UV radiation, pollution, or tobacco, cells tend to produce them excessively.

Several studies have shown that avocado vegetable oil acts against free radicals, which are responsible for premature skin aging, by providing them with an electron. This mechanism notably transforms hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which causes damage to DNA and cells, into water (H₂O). Therefore, avocado vegetable oil is an excellent ally for preventing skin aging.

The oleic (omega-9) and palmitoleic (omega-7) acids found in avocado vegetable oil have a protective effect on the skin. Indeed, these compounds are naturally present in the hydrolipidic film. This film is located on the surface of the epidermis and notably helps to protect it from UV rays, pollution, and dehydration. It acts as a shield for the skin. The topical application of avocado vegetable oil thus has beneficial properties for skin protection, as it helps to strengthen this hydrolipidic film.

A study on willing male participants has indeed demonstrated that avocado vegetable oil has a occlusive effect on the skin. In fact, insensible water loss (IWL) was measured before and 30 minutes after the application of this botanical extract, and researchers observed a significant decrease in water evaporation. This means that avocado vegetable oil has helped to protect the skin from dehydration.

According to a study, avocado vegetable oil may have benefits for skin flexibility and firmness. Indeed, volunteers aged 30 to 60 years applied a cream based on avocado oil to their face daily for 12 weeks and researchers observed several benefits. They particularly noted a decrease in the depth of crow's feet and perioral wrinkles, as well as a global increase in skin elasticity and firmness.

It is hypothesized that theavocado vegetable oil works by inhibiting the activity of lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen by substituting a carbonyl group for the amine group of a lysine residue. As a reminder, collagen is a fibrous protein in the dermis that contributes to the structure and firmness of the skin.

Within avocado vegetable oil, we find sitosterols and campesterols, molecules that belong to the phytosterol family. These compounds have a anti-inflammatory activity and regulate certain inflammation processes. However, the mechanism by which these molecules act has not yet been fully elucidated and further research is still necessary. Avocado oil can thus be used to alleviate certain redness and itching.

Rich in oleic acid, avocado vegetable oil promotes the repair of skin lesions, such as stretch marks for example. Indeed, a study conducted on rats showed that its application increased the synthesis of collagen fibers and accelerated the epithelialization process, which is the regeneration of the skin epithelium. This study was conducted on rats, so caution is advised. However, we can hypothesize a similar mechanism on human skin and an effect of avocado oil on certain wounds.