Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Left: A range of Jencare's line of avocado-based beauty products that include: soap, body butter, bath gel, body scrub, milk bath, body oil and facial cleanser. Product prices are: body butter - $1747.50; bath gel - $932; body scrub - $932; facial cleanser - $932; body oil - $750 +tax, soap - $407.75 and the avocado and walnut shell body scrub service is $3,495.   Right: Peaches Mills, a massage therapist at Jencare Skin Farm, applies Jencare avocado pear and walnut shell body scrub to a client before treatment. The scrub is an exfoliator and hydrates the skin. - Photo by Tesi Johnson

Avocado, sometimes called the 'green gold', apart from being a source of 'good fat', proteins and vitamins A and E, has long been touted to have many properties that make it a wonderful beauty aid. It is said to be rich in "beneficial oils that rejuvenate the skin, reduce eye puffiness, heal frazzled hair," among other things. One can enjoy the beauty benefit of avocado both by eating it and by applying to the skin.

Specifics

Its flesh and oil contain chemicals that stimulate the production of collagen, which helps smooth out wrinkles to give the skin a youthful appearance.

The chemicals in avocado oil aid in protecting the skin from drying and making it more elastic. Some East Asian women rub avocado oil on their pregnant bellies to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

It acts as a scalp conditioner to revitalise dull hair.

It has a natural ability to regenerate connective skin tissue and to inhibit bacterial growth. These properties make it suited for use as a base in topical dressings for use on wounds and skin burns.

Avocado oil has a high rate of skin penetration and thus is highly effective in transporting active substances through the epidermis of the skin, into the dermis. This property makes it a good base for skin treatments.

These and other properties are the reasons behind the popular use of avocado in the preparation of cosmetics.

Still, one can enjoy the beauty benefits of avocado without purchasing the expensive beauty products or spa treatments. Just head out to the market and purchase a few avocadoes, and try the home beauty remedies listed below with the ripened fruit.

To relieve eye puffiness

Slice a peeled avocado half into quarter-inch crescent shapes. Lie down with a few slices under each eye and rest for around 20 minutes. You'll love the results!

Oily-Skin Masque

In a small bowl, thoroughly mash and combine:

¹/² avocado

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 egg white

Apply evenly to a clean face and allow to remain 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and a cloth. Follow with an astringent, if you like.

Beauty remedies courtesy of http://www.care2.com/ channels/solutions/self/1370.