Play with your food: Avocados

Avocados are delicious and they are good for you too!  Not only do they provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs, but it is also fun to put on your face.  Yes, you heard me right…put on your face!!

The avocado is rich in beneficial oils that help rejuvenate the skin, moisturize and help give a radiant glow.  You can use avocados alone or mix with other natural ingredients for a wonderful all natural do it yourself mask.  When choosing your avocados pick organic or avocados grown close to your region, you can find these at your local grocery store or Farmer’s Market. 

Before you start clean your face and use a gentle exfoliator, then pat your face dry and apply your avocado mask.

Avocado and Olive Oil Mask (for dry skin)

• ½ avocado
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Mash ingredients together, apply to face, leave on for 20 minutes, remove with warm water.

Banana Avocado Mask (for combination skin)

• ½ banana
• ½ avocado
• 2 tbsp full fat yogurt
• 1tsp olive oil

Puree in blender together, apply to face, leave on 15-20 minutes, remove  with warm water.

Basic Avocado Mask (for all skin types)

• ½ avocado

Mash, apply to face, leave on 20 minutes, remove with warm water

Avocado Almond Oil Mask (for dry and sensitive skin)

• 1 avocado
• 3-4 drops Almond Oil

Mash together, apply to face, leave on 20-30 minutes, remove with warm water

Moisturizing Avocado Mask (for dry skin)

• 1 avocado
• 1 tsp apple vinegar
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 3 tsp olive oil

Mash all ingredients together, apply to face, leave on 20 minutes, remove with warm water

There are tons of Avocado Facial Mask recipes out there, look for recipes using natural ingredients.  Remember; try to pick organic or locally grown avocadoes.  So play with your avocadoes, they are not only good for you, but they are good for your skin too!!

Check the DIY Skin Care Page above for more recipes!!

This was originally published on www.examiner.com on February 21, 2011