The creamy, green avocado has long been a beloved addition to our plates, elevating our meals with its rich and buttery flavor.
Yet, in recent times, this humble fruit has undergone a transformation. No longer just a delightful accompaniment to foods, avocados have found a new role as a beauty elixir, with products sourced from avocado oil making their mark in the realms of skincare, cosmetics, hair care, personal care, and even fragrances.
This remarkable shift owes much to innovative entrepreneurs like Diana Kendi, who are harnessing the magic of avocado oil to create a new wave of natural and sustainable beauty products.
Diana Kendi: The Pioneer of Avocado Beauty Products
Diana Kendi embarked on her journey of innovation just six months ago.
Her motivation was simple but profound – she sought to use natural products in her projects and contribute to climate mitigation.
The result? A venture she named “Natural Oils,” which is quickly becoming a game-changer in both the beauty industry and sustainable practices.
For Kendi, the core philosophy behind Natural Oils is centered on creating a unisex product line that relies on the goodness of natural ingredients.
“Natural oils are a unisex product line borne from a deep desire to reduce the use of products with chemicals and preservatives and to embrace natural locally available remedies that are good for people and the planet in the long term,” she said.
The Power of Avocado Oil
At the heart of Kendi’s product line lies avocado oil, a potent elixir with a range of health benefits. Avocado oil is renowned for its high content of antioxidants and healthy fats, making it a superb moisturizing agent for the skin.
Furthermore, it is packed with essential vitamins, including A, D, and E, which are known to enhance skin health.
One of the standout features of avocado oil is its significant oleic acid content, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that promotes heart health.
“Almost 70 per cent of avocado oil consists of heart-healthy oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid and vitamins A, D, and E, which nourishes and moisturises the skin while it contains antioxidants that help in healing dry flaky skin associated with eczema and psoriasis,” added Kendi.
The Art of Production
Producing avocado oil is no small feat.
It takes approximately 10 kilograms of avocados to yield just one liter of this precious oil.
However, Kendi has devised an efficient production process by collaborating with local processors.
These processors source avocados from farmers and oversee the entire oil extraction process, leaving Kendi and her team to focus on packaging and marketing the final product.
What sets Kendi’s endeavor apart is its commitment to using natural ingredients in an industry often associated with chemicals and synthetic compounds.
This emphasis on natural remedies has resonated with international markets, where consumers are increasingly seeking sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.
An Alternative Market for Avocado
One of the most compelling aspects of Kendi’s venture is its ability to create a new market for avocados that might not meet strict export standards.
Unlike avocados destined for international markets, those used in avocado oil production do not need to conform to stringent criteria.
These avocados can be overripe or have irregular shapes – characteristics that might render them unsuitable for export but perfect for Kendi’s enterprise.
“Avocado fruits used in the production of oils do not require a stringent procedure to pass the test, they can be overly ripe and in whatever shape, unlike those meant for export, this helps mitigate the post-harvest losses,” Kendi added.
