For centuries, ancient Mayan, Aztec, and Incan beauties knew the avocado is also a wonderful beauty aid, rich in beneficial oils that rejuvenate the skin, reduce eye puffiness, heal frazzled hair, and much, much more.
Like many other ingredients in skin care, avocados come in more than just its regular fruit form. Avocado oil is especially beneficial to the skin. A natural moisturizer, avocado oil is perfect for skin that has been damaged by the sun or suffers from age spots and scarring. Filled with plant steroids, avocado oil works within the skin to smooth, soften and promote a lasting moisturizing effect. In anti-aging, avocado oil has been clinically shown to aid in the increase of collagen in the skin, creating a plumper, suppler, more youthful-looking complexion for those with mature skin. Its ideal emollient properties also make avocado oil easily absorbable in skin tissue and can be very beneficial not just to those with mature skin types, but skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and those with dry, itchy skin.
Avocados are perishable, so be sure to use these formulas as soon as you make them. When buying avocados, look for organically-grown firm fruit with a slight “give” to the flesh. To use, cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Cover the unused half with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Here are different recipes to try to our hair, face/skin, hands.
Hair
1. Deep Luxurious Conditioning
Mayonnaise (real not miracle whip)
½ ripe avocado
In a small bowl, mash ripe avocado and mix thoroughly with ½ cup of mayonnaise. Gently massage into clean damp hair. Leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
2. Strengthening mask
1 egg
8 tablespoons of olive oil (extra virgin)
1 ripe avocado
1/3 cup of plain yogurt
favorite shampoo and conditioner
Beat egg well. Combine frothy egg mixture with olive oil, avocado, yogurt. Massage into dry hair. Leave for about 20-25 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water (too warm and you’ll end up with “hair ala scrambled egg”. Shampoo and condition as usual.
3. Just the yolk please
1 egg yolk mixed well with a mashed ripe avocado.
Combine mixture and apply to damp clean hair. Extremely moisturizing and feels really good.
4. Avocado/ Castor oil Mask
8 tablespoons of Castor oil mixed well with a ripe avocado. Apply to dry hair for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo and condition as usual.
5. Coconut/ Avocado Combo
4 ounces Coconut Milk mixed with ripe avocado. Apply to damp clean hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with luke warm water.
Eyes
Aztec Miracle for Puffy Eyes
This works so well it’s almost scary. Just slice a peeled avocado half into quarter-inch crescent-shapes. Lie down with a few slices under each eye and rest for around 20 minutes. You’ll love the results!
Face
Face Mask
Just mash half an avocado and spread evenly on your clean face. Allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. This is best for dry skin types.
Appealing Moisturizer
Turns out we’ve been throwing away (or composting) a valuable part of the avocado!! You can use the inside of the peel as a fabulous humectant and oil-rich moisturizer. Just lightly apply the inside of the peel to your clean face, using gentle upward strokes. You can leave the oil on your face all night or rinse after 15 minutes. Makes a great foundation for your foundation or powder!
Oily-Skin Masque
In a small bowl, thoroughly mash and combine:
1/2 avocado
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 egg white
Apply evenly to a clean face and allow to remain 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and a cloth. Follow with an astringent, if you like.
Hands
Soft, Smooth Hand Trick
This gently exfoliating scrub will make your hands noticeably softer and smoother.
In a small bowl, mash:
1/4 of a peeled avocado
1 egg white
2 tablespoons oatmeal
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Combine well and apply to your hands. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes, then rinse in warm water and pat dry.
Source:
http://www.carefair.com/Beauty/Fruit_Basket_for_Beauty_Avocado_3445.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Beauty-of-the-Avocado-Homemade-Beauty-Recipes
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/avocado-kitchen-cupboard-beauty-tips.html