Avocado oil

What is avocado oil anyway?

• INCI: Persea Gratissima Oil

• Extracted from the pulp of the avocado (not the pit).

• Rich in:

  • Oleic acid (Omega-9), as well as palmitic acid, linoleic acid, etc.

  • Vitamin E (tocopherols) and other antioxidants

  • Phytosterols (especially β-Sitosterol), which are similar to and support the skin barrier.

That's why avocado oil is found in many rich creams, ointments, and facial oils.

Main effects on the skin (external application)

1. Moisture & Barrier

Avocado oil is a classic emollient:

• forms a lipid film,

• reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL),

• supports the skin's hydrolipid film.

→ very good for dry, mature, sensitive skin, also for "winter skin".

2. Regeneration & Wound Healing (minor lesions)

Animal and cell studies as well as initial clinical data show:

• Avocado oil-containing creams accelerate wound healing,

• promote collagen synthesis and re-epithelialization,

• reduce inflammatory cells in the wound area.

Clinically relevant rather as support for:

• dry, chapped skin areas,

• minor irritations, abrasions,

• after sun exposure, cold, irritation.

Not a substitute for medical wound care for deep or infected wounds.

3. Soothing for dry dermatoses

Through fatty acids + antioxidants + phytosterols, avocado oil has:

• anti-inflammatory effects,

• itch-relieving effects,

• skin-calming effects.

There are:

• an older study: Vitamin B12 cream + avocado oil showed good and longer-lasting effects in psoriasis compared to classic vitamin D therapy.

• indications that avocado oil can be useful for eczema/neurodermatitis due to its barrier and soothing effect (emollient component in the care concept)

→ In the pharmacy, you can refer to it as a supportive care factor for dry dermatoses – always clearly distinguish it from actual drug therapy.

4. Antioxidant & "Environmental Stress" Protection

Due to vitamin E, carotenoids, and unsaturated fatty acids:

• avocado oil scavenges free radicals,

• helps to somewhat reduce UV and pollution-induced oxidative stress.

This is why it is often found in "anti-age" formulations: rather as support for elasticity, smoothness, and an overall well-groomed skin appearance.

5. Skin feel, comedogenicity & skin types

• Avocado oil is usually classified as non-comedogenic or low-comedogenic in cosmetics.

• For a "rich" oil, it absorbs relatively well, but for very oily skin, it can be too much if applied pure and thickly.

Well suited for:

• dry, mature, sensitive skin

• skin with impaired barrier (e.g., after irritations, cold, soap, frequent disinfection)

• body care (shins, hands, feet, elbows)

Use with caution for:

• very oily, acne-prone skin → rather in low concentration in creams, not as pure oil in a thick layer.

Safety & Precautions

• Allergy: Avocado is classically part of the latex-fruit syndrome – cross-reactions in case of latex allergy are possible (mostly when consumed, but worth mentioning for safety).

• In case of known avocado allergy: better no avocado oil on the skin.

• As always: prefer a patch test (small area) for very sensitive skin.

• Oxidized, rancid oil can be irritating → pay attention to quality and shelf life, ideally: cold-pressed, stored in the dark.