Avocado oil is a great choice for a wide variety of bath and beauty products. It is processed in a similar way to olive oil. First the skin and seed are removed. Then, the oil is extracted from the creamy green pulp. Non-refined avocado oil can appear dark green and has a natural smell, while refined avocado oil is light in color and scent.
Avocado oil is known for its moisturizing properties, and is rich in vitamin A, B, D and E. It absorbs easily into the skin, making it a staple for lotions, balms, massage oils and more. Avocado oil is also commonly used for cooking due to its nutritional value and high smoke point. Keep in mind that the avocado oil sold at Bramble Berry is not edible, as our warehouse is not considered “food-safe” by the FDA. Avocado oil has a shelf life of about 1 year.
Avocado oil is not to be confused with avocado butter, which is solid at room temperature. Avocado oil is shown on the left, avocado butter is shown on the bottom right.
In cold process soap, avocado oil provides a medium lather and mild cleansing properties. I’ve found a usage rate of 12.5% in cold process recipes to be a great amount. If you’re looking to substitute avocado oil, both chia seed oil and sweet almond oil are great options. Avocado oil is used in many recipes here on the blog, including some of my all time favorite cold process recipes. Avocado oil is not to be confused with avocado butter, which is solid and creamy at room temperature.
If you’re looking for cold process soap recipes using avocado oil, the Alpine Adventures Cold Process Tutorial has 15% avocado oil. It adds moisturizing properties to the soap. The Jasmine Lace Tutorial (the top tutorial for 2015!) also contains both avocado oil and butter. If you love the feminine look of the Jasmine Lace, you may also like the Once Upon a Dream Cold Process Tutorial, which also contains avocado oil. Avocado oil contains a high amount of unsaponifiables, which makes it a great choice for superfatting cold process soap.
Left, clockwise: Jasmine Lace Cold Process, Alpine Adventures Cold Process, Once Upon a Dream Cold Process
Avocado oil contains a large amount of oleic acid, which contributes to its conditioning properties. Its moisturizing abilities make it a great option for massage and body oils. You can find avocado oil in the Herb Infused Bath Oil, which also contains argan oil and herb infused sweet almond oil. Avocado oil is also used in the Sensuous Rose-Infused Massage Oil, which is a great Valentine’s Day project. If you’re looking for a simple massage oil project, the Natural Baby Oil combines avocado oil with rice bran and sunflower to create a super lightweight product.
Top left, clockwise: Sensuous Rose-Infused Massage Oil, Herb Infused Bath Oil, Natural Baby Oil
If you prefer a lotion or balm, the Rose & Aloe In-Shower Lotion is applied right before you get out of the shower. Then, rinse away the lotion and gently pat yourself dry with a towel. The combination of avocado oil and green tea seed oil leave your skin feeling super soft and hydrated. The Gingerbread Man Lotion Bars use avocado oil and hard butters and wax to create a firm yet spreadable texture. Other luxurious balm recipes include the Mango Avocado Balmy Salve and the Shimmery Ski Lip Balm Tutorial.
Top left, clockwise: Rose & Aloe In-Shower Lotion, Gingerbread Man Lotion Bars, Mango Avocado Balmy Salve, Shimmery Ski Lip Balm
Last but not least, avocado oil also works great in scrubs and bath bombs. In the Easy DIY Cranberry Sugar Scrub Tutorial, avocado oil gives the scrub a moisturizing feel. When used in bath bombs, avocado oil fills the tub with nourishing properties. Using oils in bath bombs also helps them retain their shape. In the Sparkle Power Bath Bomb, I added just a touch of avocado oil to create a super hydrating product.
Left to right: Sparkle Power Bath Bomb, Easy DIY Cranberry Sugar Scrub Tutorial
What’s your favorite way to use avocado oil? I love using it in just about everything! It feels so amazing. =)
Hello,
“Avocado oil is known for its moisturizing properties, and is rich in vitamin A, B, D”
Can you please cite (scientifically reliable) sources that avocado oil is rich in vitamin A, B and D?
I have seen some papers regarding vitamin E in avocado oil but not found anything about the others (is it even possible for vitamin B, being water soluble, contained in oil?)
The USDA website (https://ndb.nal.usda.gov) shows zero vitamin contents in avocado oil and I am confused.
Thanks,
I believe we got the information from our vendor. We’ll contact them to find out for sure.
Hi I’m looking at making hair growth/shampoo bars using castor, avocado and coconut oil. I was just wondering if you could help me to formulate a recipe using these oils.
Also if i wanted to add olive oil to the recipe would it be good to use for hair?
Thank you 😀
We have a few shampoo bars you may like! I’ll link them below. 🙂
Sudsy Shampoo Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/sudsy-shampoo-bars/
Invigorating Shampoo Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/invigorating-shampoo-bars/
While those recipes are great for cleansing and moisturizing the hair, they have not been tested to see if they help with hair growth. The FDA would consider that a drug and it would need to be regulated as such. Learn more about that here: https://www.soapqueen.com/business/understanding-fda-cosmetic-vs-drug-claims/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It’s nice, but want to learn melt and pour base at home,,, if any guidance let me know,,,
We have a book on making transparent soap from scratch you may like! You can find that here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Making-Transparent-Soap-1-Book-P3732.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It’s my favourite oil to super fat with…I love the feel, it’s wonderful.
I use it in almost every recipe I make.
I love avocado oil too! It feels so luxurious on the skin. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just purchased your avocado butter for the first time along with several new fragrances which were scheduled to be delivered yesterday. Something came up that required me to be out of town for the day so I knew the box holding my oils was going to be sitting outside in 95 degree heat for a period of time. I was so anxious about coming home to a melted mess and leaking oils. I can’t tell you how impressed I was when I opened the box and saw the molded foam surrounding and protecting my order! Everything was perfect and, although the avocado butter was squishy, it was packaged so well there was absolutely no leakage! I can’t wait to try out your Green Smoothie body butter. Great job, Brambleberry, thanks!
Oh I am so glad to hear that! Thanks so much Carol. I can’t wait to share this with the warehouse. I know they’ll really appreciate this sweet comment. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi
I would like to thank you for your service excellence, I am happy that I was dealing with you.
Can i use avocado oil In any types of hair and skin, and what are the benefitss oil for hair and skin,
Thanks alot …
Hi Nayef!
You’re welcome, glad you like the blog!
You can use avocado oil in your hair and skin products. It feels really nice! It is known for its moisturizing properties, and is rich in vitamin A, B, D and E. 🙂
We used it in the Mango Avocado Balmy Salve: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/mango-avocado-balmy-salve/
It would also feel great in this Sudsy Shampoo Bar recipe: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/sudsy-shampoo-bars/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! It is my 1st time to make soap and I really need some help to figure out a good combo for my ingredients. I have mango butter, shea butter, lavender scent oil, coconut oil and olive oil. Should I do 25% Olive oil, 15% coconut oil and the rest all butter or is that too much? Thank you!!!!
Hi Elaine!
I can definitely help you out! Are you wanting to make cold process soap? If so, do you prefer a more firm bar, or a softer one? Do you like it more creamy or more cleansing? Let me know and I can suggest some oil combinations for you. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love Avocado Oil and use it in almost all of my products! 🙂
I love it too! It feels awesome on the skin. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I don’t really have an opinion I guess. I like using avocado oil because its a light moisturizing oil and works great in a number of products, but mostly because I have about 3 gallons of it that I got from someone 🙂 I’m storing it in a refrigerator, how long should it last being refrigerated?
Hi Michael!
Avocado oil has a shelf life of about a year. Storing it in the fridge can add a month or so to that shelf life. 🙂
See more oil shelf lives in the Common Soapmaking Oils post: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/free-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-common-soapmaking-oils/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Avocado Oil is one of my absolute favorite oils! It goes into everything I make, just because I love how great it feels!
Me too, I love the way it feels on skin! What are some of the recipes you add it to? 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry