Is avocado oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Theoretically avocado oil would be a good treatment option for seborrheic dermatitis because it can help reduce inflammation. However, despite its benefits when ingested, avocado oil is rich in oleic acid which feeds Malassezia. This means applying avocado oil on your skin or scalp will probably worsen seborrheic dermatitis.

Let’s take a deep dive:

What is avocado oil?

Avocado oil is a type of plant oil that is extracted from the avocado fruit. This oil has high concentrations of monounsaturated fat like oleic acid. It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E, as well as antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage.

Avocado oil is often used in beauty products because it is known to be gentle and effective. The antioxidants and multivitamin cofactors in avocado oil help to nourish and protect the skin.

Cold-pressed avocado oil is the purest form of this oil, so be sure to look for products that are made with this type of extraction method.

Check it out on Amazon

Is avocado oil antifungal?

Avocado oil has many health benefits, especially when ingested. However, being antifungal is not one of them. Avocado oil has no antifungal activity at all. In fact, fungal disease is one the leading causes of avocado tree deaths.

Further reading: What is the best antifungal cream for seborrheic dermatitis?

Is avocado oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Avocado oil is a great moisturizer and helps soothe and heal skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which repair and protect skin cells. In fact, it has been shown to increase collagen.

Studies have shown topical application of avocado oil improves psoriasis. However, this was in the form of a cream in combination with B12.

On the surface, avocado oil sounds like a great oil to help treat our inflamed, damaged seborrheic dermatitis skin.

However, avocado oil is rich in long chain fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. Malassezia feeds off these fats so applying avocado on your skin may encourage Malassezia growth and potentially worsen seborrheic dermatitis.

Also, the oil is quite… oily as it contains 60% oil. It does absorb into the skin but it’s not as easily absorbed as other oils like jojoba oil or squalane oil. The oil may cause clogged pores and trigger acne flares in some people.

In short, I don’t recommend applying avocado oil on your skin if you are suffering from seborrheic dermatitis.

Whether or not you should ingest avocado oil is a different question.

Benefits of avocado oil

Avocado oil is a healthy and versatile oil that can be used in many different ways. It has a multitude of benefits, including being a source of healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins. Avocado oil can be used to cook with or as a natural moisturizer.

When you ingest it

Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats which are anti-inflammatory and heart healthy. It may improve your cholesterol levels and even reduce your blood pressure.

The oil is high in beta-carotein and lutein which improves eye health and age-related diseases. These compounds also improve skin health.

A rat study showed that avocado oil prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rats, improving brain function.

Avocado oil is a good oil to incorporate into your diet. Good skin comes from the inside and avocado oil can help you do that. Drinking avocado oil or eating the avocado fruit won’t worsen seborrrheic dermatitis.

Buy organic, unrefined, cold-pressed avocado oils. This ensures that the oil has not been processed in a way that diminishes its benefits. Make sure to select an avocado oil that comes from a reputable source, as the composition of avocado oil can vary depending on the region where it is produced.

Check it out on Amazon

When you apply it to the skin

Avocado oil has been shown to be beneficial for the skin in a number of ways. It’s a rich source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, which helps to protect us from environmental damage. The lightweight texture of avocado oil allows the beneficial compounds to penetrate deep into the skin.

Acting as an emollient, avocado oil helps to moisturize, soothe and protect the skin. The oil helps fight free radicals that cause aging with its army of carotenoids and antioxidants.

Plus, avocado oil has anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for people with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. However, use avocado oil in conjunction with other treatments rather than as a standalone product.

In case you’ve jumped to this section and haven’t read what I wrote earlier, avocado oil contains high levels of oleic acid. Despite its other benefits, it’s not a good oil for seborrheic dermatitis as oleic acid can feed Malassezia and aggravate the condition.

Check out my article on common oils to avoid if you have seborrheic dermatitis.

Side effects of avocado oil

When using avocado oil, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects. Even though this oil is typically used in small quantities, some people may experience an allergic reaction or skin irritation. It’s always a good idea to do a patch test before incorporating this oil into your skincare routine.

Avocado oil may also clog pores and trigger acne breakouts as it doesn’t absorb readily. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, avocado oil can aggravate the condition.

If you are looking for a carrier oil, these oils are safe to use in SD.

To wrap up

Avocado oil is not recommended as a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. The oil has not been proven to be effective in treating the condition, and it may even worsen symptoms. There are many other, more effective treatments available.

Check out my article on the best essential oils to use for seborrheic dermatitis.