Avocado oil

Avocado oil, which appears on ingredient lists as Persea gratissima oil, is a rich plant oil pressed from the flesh of the avocado rather than the seed. It is high in oleic acid alongside smaller amounts of other fatty acids, and it naturally carries some vitamin E and plant sterols.

In formulas it works as an emollient: it softens, adds slip and helps rough skin feel smoother, while its heavier texture slows water loss from the surface. That combination makes it common in body creams, balm cleansers, hand and cuticle products, hair masks and formulas aimed at dry or mature skin. In hair care it is used for softness, slip and shine rather than structural repair.

Because it sits on the heavier, oleic-rich end of the oil spectrum, it does not suit everyone — people with congestion-prone or blemish-prone skin often find rich oils unhelpful on the face. Plant oils can also cause contact allergy, so patch test before regular use, and avoid it entirely if you have a known avocado allergy.