Avocado oils ain’t avocado oils
I don’t know about you, but if I include avocado in my meals a few times a week I feel pretty darn happy with myself for kicking some health and wellness goals- and enjoying myself while doing so (which can’t be said for so many other trends I’ve tried like cleanses, cold water therapy and fasting). It’s also easy to feel “healthier than thou” when introducing cold pressed avocado oil into your culinary arsenal, as this humble hero contains all the potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins and essential fatty acids of the fruit itself. As avocado growers, we know what it takes to produce high quality organic fruit and how important it is to optimise the powerful botanical components through cold-press oil extraction. The pulp of our ripe avocados is gently warmed to release the abundant deep green oil that has an earthy and notably avocado-ish aroma.
However, just like there is a huge difference in the health properties between extra virgin olive oil and refined olive oil, it is important to ensure that you spend your money on the good stuff when it comes to avocado oil. Always read packaging carefully to ensure that the avocado oil is extracted from Australian-grown avocados rather than from inferior overseas fruit with processing that lacks transparency. Avocados from different regions have slightly difference composition in terms of avocado oil, and as an avocado grower I may be biased, but I honestly believe there really is no comparison to avocados grown in Australia.
Which brings me to the topic of avocado oil in cosmetic products. I am a big believer that what you put on your skin is as important to your health as what you put inside your body. So, while I want the highest nutritional value from the foods that I eat, I also want to ensure that my skin is receiving the same quality. When studying skincare formulation, I was quite disheartened to learn that most cosmetic products on the market contain avocado oil that has been extracted using chemical solvents before being refined, bleached and deodorised; a process that completely undermines the benefits of avocado oil. These products that purport to harness the goodness of the avocado often make claims that they are “skin food” or are natural products that are “good enough to eat,” but have only included cosmetic-grade oils that are not safe to ingest. There are also “avocado- derived” ingredients that are further refined to extract the desired components such as a particular essential fatty acid but are also combined with other compounds to create a certain result or finish.
Cosmetic companies use these synthetic and refined oils for several reasons including removing the natural avocado oil smell, colour and viscosity that may impact the superficial elements of a formulation and ensuring a longer shelf-life and product consistency.
Our Avocado Balm is hand crafted in small batches, celebrating only cold-pressed/ unrefined organic avocado oil that contains all the wonderful building blocks for overall health that nature provides. I know our customers find the occasional variability in the colour of our product, the subtle, earthy aroma and the 12-month shelf-life reassuring evidence of our product’s organic and natural goodness.
