Who does not like guacamole? The famous Mexican salsa made with avocado to garnish many international dishes is not only something delicious to have in company with friends and some music. Indeed, the use of Persea Americana is becoming a very popular part of a healthy and balanced diet nowadays. This is so because avocado is considered a good choice in terms of vitamin content, caloric intake, and unsaturated fatty acids presence, like omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 [1]. Those fatty acids are commonly known as the “good” ones since they are a healthy alternative to the saturated ones, known to increase the chance of developing a wide range of diseases, especially cardiovascular. In this article, the main properties of this fruit and its potential application in cosmetic industries and products for skincare will be summarized. Recently, avocado components, such as its pulp, seeds, and oil have been showed to add a plus value if included in pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics formulations [1]. In fact, the seeds can be useful to treat many different skin conditions thanks to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity [2,3]. There are studies supporting seeds as a potential enhancer of keratinocytes growth, DNA repair and seem to decrease the release of pro-inflammatory agents [2]. These biological actions can improve overall skin quality, like stretch marks, redness, hyperpigmentation, and increase skin moisture and elasticity [2].
Fig. 1: Chemical structure of omega 3 and omega 6, common unsaturated fatty acids
Another component that can be of great help is avocado oil. Obtained from its pulp, it has a high content of vitamins A, C, D, E, beta-carotene, and minerals. Its excellent stability facilitates its formulation, and it is easily absorbed, leaving the skin smooth and hydrated [4]. In this way, the oily sensation often left by heavy-moisturizing formulations is an old memory, being a novel strategy for dry skin conditions. Avocado oil seems to wound healing and it is used specific products for tissue and muscle massages due to its fast penetration index [4].
Finally, the avocado pulp also showed interesting properties such as anti-aging and protection against UV radiations. Therefore, it confers a great value when added as an active ingredient into sunscreen formulations [5].
Summing up, the avocado fruit seems to be a good compromise as a natural source of good nutrients as well as to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Fig. 2: Avocado oil
References:
1. Banji Adaramola, Adebayo Onigbinde and Oluwatosin Shokunbi. 2016. Physiochemical properties and antioxidant potential of Persea Americana seed oil. Chemistry International 2(3) 168-175
2. Dabas D, Shegog RM, Ziegler GR, Lambert JD. Avocado (Persea americana) seed as a source of bioactive phytochemicals. Curr Pharm Des. 2013;19(34):6133-40. doi: 10.2174/1381612811319340007. PMID: 23448442.
3. Vinha AF, Moreira J, Barreira SV. Physicochemical parameters, phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of the algarvian avocado (Persea americana Mill.). Journal of Agricultural Science. 2013;5(12):100.
4. Woolf A, Wong M, Eyres L, McGhie T, Lund C, Olsson S, et al. 2 - Avocado Oil. In: Moreau RA, Kamal-Eldin A, editors. Gourmet and Health-Promoting Specialty Oils: AOCS Press; 2009. p. 73-125.
5. Kosińska, A., Karamác, M., Estrella, I., Hernández, T., Bartolomé, B., & Dykes, G. A. (2012). Phenolic compound profiles and antioxidant capacity of Persea americana Mill. Peels and seeds of two varieties. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry, 60(18), 4613–4619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf300090p