To many Jamaicans, avocado is a great accompaniment for bulla or bread, but it has also become a popular ingredient of skin-care products in spas.

Avocado is rich in potassium and vitamin A and an adequate intake of potassium can help guard against circulatory diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke.

Traditionally, avocado has been used to heal skin problems and the pulp is believed to be both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Also, products such as avocado oils contain emulsifier, lecithin, antioxidants and vitamin A and E that also help to maintain youthful-looking skin. These antioxidant vitamins destroy the free radicals that kill your skin cells and make you look older. It also contains vitamin D which, again, is good for your skin. Antioxidants protect against the effects of the unhealthy ultraviolet radiation found in strong sunlight. Without some form of antioxidant treatment, your skin would rapidly wrinkle and grow old as its cell membranes are ruptured and destroyed.

Due to the immensely beneficial uses of avocado, many beauty products on the market contain the fruit. As a result of economic crisis, many individuals' budgets have been stretched to the limit; the good thing is that household ingredients like avocado can be used to create your own facial and skin-care products. Below are a few examples:

Avocado facial

1/2 cup non-instant oatmeal

1 cup mashed avocado

1 or 2 tablespoons honey

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until a smooth paste is achieved.

2. Apply to your face and let dry for 15 minutes then rinse and pat face dry with a clean towel.

3. This facial is rich in iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. It reduces eye puffiness and rejuvenates dry skin, leaving it soft and nourished.

Avocado deep cleanser

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/2 ripe avocado (pealed)

Method

1. Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy.

2. Add a half cup of milk and the mashed half of a ripe, peeled avocado.

3. Blend together until it forms a thin cream or lotion-like consistency.

4. Apply on squares of cotton as you would any other cleanser. You may also use this deep cleanser after ordinary soap and water, if your skin is normal.

5. It's quite effective against pollution and grime, therefore, it's a very pure method of keeping your complexion free of pollutants that can interfere with normal skin function.

6. Since the formula is perishable, we suggest making it every other day and storing it in the refrigerator between uses.

A range of Jencare's line of avocado-based beauty products including soap, body butter, bath gel, body scrub, milk bath, body oil and facial cleanser. - Photos by Tesi Johnson

Cucumber avocado facial mask

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 cup chopped avocado

1 egg white

2 teaspoon powdered milk

Method

1. Combine ingredients and blend until they form a smooth, paste-like consistency. Apply the mask immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Apply two tablespoons of the cucumber avocado mask to your face and neck in circular, upward motions. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes or until dry.

3. To remove the mask, simply rinse your face and neck with warm water, followed by a cold-water rinse. Finally, pat your face and neck dry.

Sources:

www. recipezaar.com

www.purezing.com

www.pioneerthinking.com