What are the benefits of avocado?

Native to Central America, the avocado is the fruit of the avocado tree (Persea americana), a tree in the Lauraceae family. It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Kenya. Cultivated for thousands of years, the avocado was already prized by pre-Columbian civilizations for its rich and nutritious flesh.

The avocado tree can grow up to 20 meters tall and produces fruits of various shapes and sizes, depending on the variety. The most common variety in stores is the Hass, recognizable by its thick, bumpy skin, which effectively protects its flesh.

Harvesting takes place when the fruit has reached physiological maturity on the tree, but it only fully ripens once picked. This allows for better control over storage and transport, while ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture when eaten. Once ripe, the avocado reveals pale green, soft, and creamy flesh, protected by a thick skin and a central pit.

In addition to its delicate flavor, the avocado is also known for its exceptional composition of high-quality fats, making it a sought-after ingredient in food, as well as in natural skincare products thanks to its oil.

For health

Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-9, avocado contributes to a healthy nutritional balance. It also contains fiber, vitamin E, potassium, and antioxidants, which are beneficial for the body’s proper functioning. As part of a varied diet, it helps limit oxidative stress and maintain vitality on a daily basis.

Their natural phytosterol content has also attracted researchers’ attention due to their ability to modulate the absorption of dietary cholesterol. These plant compounds may also help maintain cardiovascular health, support weight management as part of a balanced diet, and contribute to healthier aging through their role in lipid regulation and oxidative stress [2, 3, 4, and 5].

For the skin

Used in skincare, avocado oil is known for its softening, nourishing, and protective properties. It restores elasticity and comfort to dry, mature, or delicate skin and supports skin regeneration thanks to its high content of phytosterols, carotenoids, and vitamin E. It integrates easily into facial, body, or eye contour care routines, as well as into targeted formulations such as balms or protective creams.

Regular consumption of avocados may also help improve skin quality from the inside out. A 2022 study conducted on healthy women showed that daily consumption of one avocado for eight weeks was associated with improved skin elasticity and firmness compared to a control group [5, Henning et al., 2022]. These results reinforce the benefits of using avocados both topically and as part of the diet.

For the hair

Known for its high content of lipids and protective active ingredients, avocado oil is a treatment suitable for dry, damaged, split-ended, or frizzy hair. It deeply nourishes, coats the hair shaft, and helps restore shine and suppleness. It is also known to stimulate growth and strengthen fragile hair.

It can be used as an oil treatment before shampooing, as a leave-in treatment on the ends, or incorporated into homemade preparations such as hair masks, balms, or creams. It blends well with other plant-based ingredients to create personalized treatments tailored to your hair type.

On Your Plate

Avocado offers numerous benefits for daily nutrition:

1. It contributes to nutritional balance, thanks to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, primarily omega-9.

2. It supports digestive comfort, thanks to its fiber content.

3. They contribute to the body’s proper functioning, as they provide vitamins E, K, and C, as well as potassium.

4. It helps limit oxidative stress, thanks to the natural presence of antioxidant compounds.

5. It can replace certain animal fats, thanks to its melt-in-your-mouth, creamy texture.

In Cosmetics

Avocado is also recognized for its benefits in skin and hair care:

• It nourishes and protects skin tissue, thanks to its fatty acids and vitamin E content.

• It helps preserve the skin’s elasticity by supporting the skin’s barrier function.

• It soothes dry or fragile skin, enhancing its comfort.

• It supports skin regeneration by helping to rebuild the lipid barrier.

• It revitalizes dull or brittle hair, restoring softness, shine, and suppleness.

• It is said to promote hair growth, particularly in fortifying treatments.

• It is suitable for the whole family, even as an after-sun treatment or to prevent winter dryness.

• It coats, nourishes, and protects hair, even if it is very dry, curly, or damaged.

In Raw Use

Versatile and accessible, avocado is used equally well in the kitchen and in homemade skincare. In cooking, its creamy flesh works well in both savory and sweet dishes: open-faced sandwiches, salads, sauces, smoothies, or plant-based desserts. It can replace certain fats to add creaminess, while providing a good amount of unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins.

In cosmetics, avocado pulp can be used as is, as a quick face or hair mask. Mixed with a little honey or yogurt, it forms a nourishing paste that restores softness and suppleness. Easy to apply and 100% natural, this option is ideal for minimalist skincare, dry skin, or damaged hair.

Zoom In On Aroma-Zone Products Made With Avocado

Nourish and regenerate dry skin

Organic Avocado Vegetable Oil is a gentle, natural skincare product, particularly suited for dry, mature, or sensitive skin. It restores elasticity and comfort to the skin and can be incorporated into reparative creams, preventive treatments for stretch marks, or targeted formulations for delicate areas such as the eye contour or neck. When used on hair, it promotes shine and vitality and helps strengthen dry, brittle strands. Stable against oxidation, this oil can be used pure or in combination with other natural ingredients: vegetable oils, butters, waxes, or Aroma-Zone neutral bases. It can make up to 95% of a skincare oil formulation or be added at a concentration of up to 5% in emulsions or foaming products. It is also suitable for making very gentle soaps.

This vegetable oil should be stored away from heat and light, in a tightly sealed container. It is stable and does not require any special precautions during application, but as with any cosmetic ingredient, it is recommended to test for tolerance on a small area of skin before regular use.

Discover Organic Avocado Oil

Protect hands from dryness

Formulated with organic avocado oil, oat oil, and shea butter, this nourishing cream protects dry and damaged hands. Its creamy texture, enriched with natural hyaluronic acid, provides immediate relief and leaves the skin supple, soft, and pleasantly scented with vanilla. Non-greasy, it can be used at any time of day.

Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Store at room temperature, making sure to close the tube tightly after use. Use morning and night, or whenever your hands show signs of dryness.

Discover the Organic Hyaluronic Acid & Avocado Hand Cream - Vanilla

Soothe and soften the feet

This certified organic cream combines avocado oil, exfoliating succinic acid, and hyaluronic acid to intensely nourish and promote the repair of dry, rough, or cracked feet. It softens calluses, soothes discomfort, and helps restore the skin barrier. Its enveloping balm-like texture leaves a soft, velvety finish, with no added fragrance.

It can be applied morning and night, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Suitable for sensitive skin, it should be stored away from heat and light. Before regular use, it is recommended to test a small amount on the skin.

Discover the Foot Cream - Avocado & Succinic Acid

Intensively nourish fragile skin

Made from organic avocado oil free of hydrogenated oils, this plant-based butter with a creamy texture is a top choice for nourishing, protecting, and revitalizing the skin. Rich in phytosterols, natural antioxidants, and emollients, it helps prevent dehydration, softens dry areas, and supports skin regeneration. It can be used in balms, creams, lip balms, or reparative treatments, and is also suitable for dry, curly, or damaged hair.

Store this butter away from light, heat, and humidity. It blends easily as an emollient in your homemade face, body, or hair care products. Before frequent use, it is recommended to perform a skin tolerance test.

Discover Avocado Butter

Avocado is generally well-tolerated, both as a food and in cosmetics. However, certain precautions are advisable to ensure you can enjoy its benefits safely.

When applied to the skin—whether as oil, butter, or in ready-to-use skincare products—it is recommended to perform a patch test on the inner elbow 24 hours before first use, especially for those with very sensitive or reactive skin. 

In cooking, avocados are naturally high in fat. It is therefore advisable to consume them in small quantities as part of a varied and balanced diet. Additionally, they are among the foods moderately high in FODMAPs, fermentable sugars that can cause digestive discomfort in some people, particularly those with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or an imbalance in gut microbiota. A moderate portion (about 60 g) is often better tolerated. It is recommended not to consume the pit or the skin, which are not edible.

Finally, whether used in cosmetics or cooking, it is best to store avocados or avocado-based products away from light and heat. Aroma-Zone products made with avocado are intended exclusively for external use and must not be ingested.

Avocado is a fruit rich in unsaturated fatty acids and essential nutrients, but it is also naturally high in calories. To reap all its benefits without overindulging, it’s best to incorporate it into a varied and balanced diet, alternating with other plant-based sources such as nuts or legumes.

When it comes to skincare, a small amount of oil or butter is enough to effectively nourish the skin or hair. It’s best to choose high-quality products and tailor your use to your needs to combine effectiveness, simplicity, and self-care.

Coralie Técher has spent seven years working as a journalist specialising in women’s issues. With a particular passion for beauty and well-being, she is committed to exploring natural approaches to self-care. She keeps up to date with current research and trends and enjoys sharing relevant, reliable information with her readers.