Is avocado good for your skin?

We know that avocados are delicious and have many health benefits . Avocados also make a great DIY face mask, helping to hydrate and moisturize skin. In addition to the avocado, honey and apple cider vinegar help cleanse and tone the skin. While the face mask is completely edible, we don't recommend actually eating it.

How do I choose an avocado for a face mask?

You need a ripe avocado. Look for one that feels slightly soft when gently pressed with the palm of your hand (never your fingers). You can also check for ripeness by attempting to remove the stem at the top of the fruit with your fingernail—if it comes off easily, the avocado is ready. If you want to speed up the ripening , add it to a paper bag with an apple or pear. Additionally, if you have an overripe, browned avocado, you can use it for a mask, as it's a great way to use up old avocados.

How do I store a cut avocado?

This mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup of ripe avocado, leaving you with plenty for future masks. To store the leftover avocado, keep the skin on and the pit intact. To prevent browning, cover the flesh with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. This will keep the avocado fresh and green for at least two days. Check out more tips on how to store avocados .

How long should I leave the mask on?

Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes maximum. Otherwise, it will harden.

Is it safe to use an avocado mask every day?

Everyone's skin is different, so it's always a good idea to test any product (natural food-based DIY products included) on a small patch of your skin to see if it irritates. If your skin likes the avocado mask, it's perfectly fine to use daily.

Honey-Avocado Face Mask

Name: Honey-Avocado Face Mask
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 0.25 cup ripe avocado; 2 tablespoons raw honey; 0.5 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

4.8

(4)

2 Reviews

For this homemade face mask, a dreamy mix of hydrating avocado, skin-cleansing honey and toning apple cider vinegar delivers perfect pH balance for all skin types.

Lily Diamond

Updated on August 25, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD

Tested by

Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

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Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 to 3 - applications

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free

While you technically could eat this all-natural homemade Honey-Avocado Face Mask, we suggest you just use it on your face. Antioxidant-filled avocado creates a rich creamy base for this mask that is combined with honey and zingy apple-cider vinegar, adding cleansing elements to this mask. Keep reading for expert tips, including how long you should leave the mask on.

Nutrition Notes

Although the nutrition for this mask doesn't go inside your body by eating it, your skin will absorb some of the nutrients in this three-ingredient mask. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, plant protein and vitamin E—all nutrients that benefit skin health and encourage soft, supple skin.
Honey contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and has been used for centuries to help heal wounds and burns. This may be due to its ability to reduce inflammation. There is also evidence that honey has antimicrobial properties.
Apple-cider vinegar adds to the antioxidants and antimicrobial properties of this mask while adding beneficial bacteria to your skin.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

¼ cup ripe avocado
2 tablespoons raw honey
½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

Combine avocado, honey and vinegar in a mini food processor; process until smooth. (Alternatively, place in a small bowl; mash with a fork until smooth.)

Christine Ma
Apply a thin layer to clean, damp skin. Let dry, then rinse off and moisturize as desired. Oily skin types may not need additional moisturizer. This makes enough for 2-3 applications and should be used immediately.

Equipment

Mini food processor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is avocado good for your skin?

We know that avocados are delicious and have many health benefits. Avocados also make a great DIY face mask, helping to hydrate and moisturize skin. In addition to the avocado, honey and apple cider vinegar help cleanse and tone the skin. While the face mask is completely edible, we don't recommend actually eating it.
How do I choose an avocado for a face mask?

You need a ripe avocado. Look for one that feels slightly soft when gently pressed with the palm of your hand (never your fingers). You can also check for ripeness by attempting to remove the stem at the top of the fruit with your fingernail—if it comes off easily, the avocado is ready. If you want to speed up the ripening, add it to a paper bag with an apple or pear. Additionally, if you have an overripe, browned avocado, you can use it for a mask, as it's a great way to use up old avocados.
How do I store a cut avocado?

This mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup of ripe avocado, leaving you with plenty for future masks. To store the leftover avocado, keep the skin on and the pit intact. To prevent browning, cover the flesh with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. This will keep the avocado fresh and green for at least two days. Check out more tips on how to store avocados.
How long should I leave the mask on?

Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes maximum. Otherwise, it will harden.
Is it safe to use an avocado mask every day?

Everyone's skin is different, so it's always a good idea to test any product (natural food-based DIY products included) on a small patch of your skin to see if it irritates. If your skin likes the avocado mask, it's perfectly fine to use daily.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, July 2018; updated November 2022

Additional reporting by

Carrie Myers, M.S.,

Linda Frahm,

and

Jan Valdez

Sources

EatingWell is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.