a.k.a. the Alligator Pear....

I love avocados. And not just because they go great with a tasty margarita! This yummy tropical fruit does more than just make a great guacamole, it is also very beneficial to hair and skin.

Avocados are rich in potassium and vitamins B, E, and K and contain more fatty alcohols than any other fruit. You can even mash a plain avocado to make a wonderful facial mask, providing nutrients and protection to skin. Or try it on you hair a couple of times a month for extra conditioning and to add volume.

Avocado oil is also an effective ingredient in many skin care products. The oil is pressed from the pulp that surrounds the avocado pit and is very emollient, meaning that it softens and soothes the skin by sealing in moisture. This precious oil provides skin care products with a dose of regenerative and moisturizing properties, which is great for fine lines and wrinkles. Avocado oil is also packed with sterolins to fight age-spots and heal sun damage. Combined with sea buckthorn oil in Skin's Seaberry Restorative Face Cream, it makes for a powerful moisturizer in your anti-aging arsenal!

Sensatia Botanicals combines avocado oil with olive oil for a super-hydrating Grapefruit and Avocado Body Balm, perfect for extra dry or rough body parts. I love it on my feet during the winter months to keep them soft and in the summer it gives my legs a beautiful sheen. Mara uses it to make her daughter's extra curly hair shiny and more manageable!

Gentle enough for use on babies, it is also great for removing makeup and does not leave a film on the eyes, like some oils. You'll find it in Skin's Apricot Eyes eye makeup remover too.

Now where are those organic blue corn tortilla chips?