Avocados are a well-known source of healthy fats to include in our diets, as most people know. They’re rich in certain mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats that keep our hearts healthy, lower cholesterol, and they even contain fiber and protein to keep us full. Avocados are one of the best anti-aging foods you can eat, but you can also use them in your beauty routine too – not just in the kitchen!

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While you might not have thought to purchase this brilliant green fruit for your natural lifestyle options, you might want to reconsider that. Considering that beauty products contain chemicals that essentially end up toxifying our bodies and burdening our liver, they also likely come from companies that promote animal testing or contain animal ingredients, or cost us a fortune if we buy better brands (with few exceptions).  So why not just go the completely natural way and use nature to give us healthy skin?

Like coconut oil can improve your skin and remedies like apple cider vinegar and even oatmeal masks can reduce breakouts and bacteria, avocados can also benefit your skin by keeping you looking youthful and radiant.

Why Avocados are Superstars for Your Skin

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Basically, avocados are a nutrition firework just waiting to explode! Not just healthy fats, but also chlorophyll to reduce inflammation, water to hydrate, Vitamin E to promote softness and prevent wrinkles, and gentle fibers that can also help a natural mask made from avocados stick together. Avocados can be applied as a mask for your skin and you can either use them plain, or mix them with other healthy ingredients.

Here are three great mask ideas:

1. Avocado Anti-Aging Mask

The oleic acid (a healthy fat) in avocados, helps reduce inflammation, lowering redness and also fighting wrinkles. Apply this avocado mask below to give avocados a shot.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado (should be soft to the touch)
• 1 tsp. coconut oil

Cut open the avocado, remove the pit, and mix all together in a bowl. Apply for 30 minutes. It will soften the skin and doing this nightly may just help you wake up looking more youthful everyday, but don’t forget to take your makeup off with coconut oil first though!

2. Anti-Acne Youthful Avocado Mask

Lemon juice is used here, which contains acids that actually reduce bacteria and lower inflammation. It also smells rather nice too! The avocado will help prevent dryness that can lead to acne and aging, while the oats will help soak up bacteria and also reduce inflammation.

Ingredients: 

• 1 ripe avocado
• juice from one lemon
• 1-2 tbsp. rolled oats

Cut open the avocado, remove the pit, and mix all together in a bowl. Apply for 30 minutes four times a week for best results.

3. Indulgent Spa-Worthy Avocado Mask to Fight Aging

This mask is for those that want a spa-like treat. It features natural exfoliants that will remove dead skin cells, and contains natural sources of caffeine to perk up skin. The avocado keeps your skin soft and supple, while also adding moisture and nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tsp. organic coffee grounds
• 1 tsp. cocoa grounds
• 1 tsp. avocado oil
• 1 tsp. coconut sugar

Cut open the avocado, remove the pit, and mix all together in a bowl (or you might want to blend this one since it contains a good bit of ingredients). Apply for 30 minutes a few days a week and remove with a cloth. (Be sure you get all those coffee grounds off or your friends might wonder why you smell like yummy chocolate and java all the time!) 

Januus Silla/Flickr

Give these masks a try and remember to eat your avocados too. Avocados are a great natural dairy replacement to try, and they’re truly one of nature’s most miraculous foods you can use for so many things. You can even use them as a hair mask and natural conditioner as another beauty aid. And, at least this way, you never have to worry if you have more ripe avocados on your hands than you can handle! Choose between standard Haas (dark green/black) avocados or you can even use the larger, Florida-grown (bright green) avocados when is season. Either way, avocados are a win. And if all else fails, there’s always guacamole, right?

Also see our avocado recipes to eat your way to healthy skin from the inside out!

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

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