16 like 0 dislike
in General Factchecking by Apprentice (1.1k points)
According to a health and wellness article published by The Vibrant Skin bar, Avocados are proven to be very beneficial for the skin. They contain vitals B,C, E and K which are all known for their health benefits. They also contain a good amount of magnesium and potassium that are known to combat bacteria that can grow on the skin barrier. To add they also contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that deeply hydrate the skin. Avocado can also be used as a topical treatment to reduce dark spots, eczema, and psoriasis.

https://vibrantskinbar.com/blog/avocado-benefits-for-skin/
by Novice (610 points)
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Do you have personal experience using avocado as a topical treatment?
by Novice (780 points)
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The source that you used seems to be reliable which leads me to believe that this claim is true! I have also found another source to back up your information, saying that avocados are a good source of vitamins e and c and are known to be super helpful in anything from skin conditions to minimizing breakouts.

My source: https://www.healthline.com/health/avocado-benefits-for-skin#benefits
by Newbie (420 points)
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I like the information you provided it is very interesting, and the site you provided is a great read. However, I did factcheck some of the links that are referred to in the site such as when it claimed "If you have skin that’s prone to breakouts, Ivanjesku says cleansing your face with avocado oil may help you have fewer breakouts." The link that it brought me too had no information of that claim, so I wonder where that quote came from. Here is the link to the source it linked too. I also looked elsewhere on the web and nothing relating to that quote pulled up from any reliable source.

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/acne-prone-skin

Also, I would recommend using a more reliable source such as government websites or any reliable sites. This will make your additional information more credible.
by Newbie (480 points)
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This website shouldn't be used as a valid source of factual information. Immediately after entering the site, it is clear that it is biased as the main goal for them is to sell the reader something or get involved in their company in some way. Also, the author of the article doesn't site any trustable sources to back up the information besides other pages on the company's website.
by Newbie (380 points)
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The article by The Vibrant Skin Bar highlights the skin benefits of avocados, emphasizing their vitamins (B, C, E, K), magnesium, and potassium, which can help support skin hydration, strengthen the skin barrier, and combat bacteria. It also mentions avocado's fatty acids (omega-3 and -6) that promote hydration, with potential topical benefits for conditions like dark spots, eczema, and psoriasis. The information aligns with general research on avocado's nutrients, although scientific backing specifically for topical use in these skin conditions is limited.
by Newbie (340 points)
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I agree, avocados have rich vitamins that support in skin health but I don't think it's fair to say they are good for your skin. When had in moderation, avocados support in overall health and provide great benefits.
by Newbie (300 points)
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while many of the benefits of avocados for the skin are supported by scientific evidence, some claims require further research to be fully validated. It's important to consider avocados as part of a holistic approach to skincare rather than a standalone solution.
by Novice (700 points)
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The source you used seems credible and I liked the evidence you gave. I think these claims are true and backed by evidence but I think you could've added a few more sources from credible studies to prove the claim.
by Apprentice (1.6k points)
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I really liked the article you provided, as I found it to be a really fun read. However, I feel that it fails to take into account that while, yes, avocados may have some benefits for skin health such as improving elasticity or firmness, especially in aged skin, there are some downsides. For example, individuals with acne prone skin, as they have the potential to clog pores, and cause reactionary breakouts.

Sources:
https://www.exposedskincare.com/blogs/blog/avocado-face-mask-for-acne
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eating-an-avocado-daily-increases-elasticity-and-firmness-in-skin-study-shows
by Newbie (230 points)
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Hello, as someone who loves skincare I thought this claim was very interesting I have personal experience with using avocado on your skin and i can say that it work! I enjoyed the details you added to your claim making it more credible. My only recommendation would be using a more reliable source or adding multiple sources.
by Newbie (220 points)
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I like that you are checking their links and really reading into them to see if the claim actually did come from there or not. It is important that we point this out because though it may be a true statement, if the evidence given is not actually real, it is harder to decipher.
by Newbie (450 points)
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I have heard this claim before and have tested it, and from my tests, I can confirm it to be true. I like how you fact-checked your claim and made sure to base your claim on reliable sources that are scientifically confirmed.
by Novice (760 points)
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I like how you worded this claim and gave your opinion as well as evidence i think you did a really nice job with this fact check i also think your article is credible to your claim and supports it well if i had to comment on something that you could think about doing next time is maybe going into depth with how this could effect specific people with acne or if its only good with certain skin types and warning people that this may not be for them
by Newbie (370 points)
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Although avocados may bring benefits to your skin there are a lot of other factors that play into it having visible results. As well as how ones genetics are. If they are prone to acne and have history with acne then putting avocado on your face might not be the best option.
by Newbie (480 points)
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Hi! I think this is a very well-written and evidence-based claim. With that being said, I would love to hear if there are any negative effects of avocados for the skin. When fact checking, I think it is important to weight both sides of an argument. I loved your part about bacteria on the skin creating a barrier. All together, great work!
by Newbie (330 points)
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Your insights highlight a key issue with the fact-checking process: the absence of reliable support for specific claims, such as the one about avocado oil reducing breakouts. The linked article you provided contains general advice on acne-prone skin but lacks any mention of that particular claim, raising concerns about its origin and accuracy. Suggesting reliance on sources like government websites or peer-reviewed studies is amazing advice. Doing so ensures credibility and reinforces confidence in shared information, especially when discussing sensitive topics like skincare.
by Newbie (480 points)
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The website where you found this claim seems biased, as they are a company that is clearly trying to get users to be customers or buy something from them. They also don't cite any sources besides their own articles to back up their claims. I would consider trying to find a more credible source to research from.
by Newbie (330 points)
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Great job of using the info provided in the article, but the only issue is the website used seems somewhat biased. Most of the information from the website was cited by the website itself.
by Newbie (450 points)
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I like your factcheck because you want to see both sides of the argument that the source doesn't provide. Good job!
ago by Newbie (470 points)
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While it is true that you referenced scientific evidence to back your claim, this information cannot be reliably found in many other locations. In addition, does not reference their sources, so it is easy to discredit this as reliable or reputable information.

37 Answers

9 like 0 dislike
by Novice (990 points)
selected by
 
Best answer

I’ve heard before that avocados are good for your skin, so I was intrigued to check the verity of this claim. The link you posted comes from a blog post by a medical spa called Vibrant Skin Bar. All hyperlinks lead to various other pages from the blog site also written by Kristina Cadwell who has a master's in medical science and has been working in the “Aesthetic Medical field” for over 10 years. To verify the claims on this blog, I did some additional research and found an article detailing a recent study done at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition. It states “The women selected in the study all had the same skin type. Researchers used a device called a cutometer to measure facial skin elasticity, firmness, pigmentation, sebum and hydration. The test measurements were applied to the forehead and under the eyes. After eight weeks, the subjects who ate an avocado daily showed significant increase in elasticity and firmness in the skin compared to the control group. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that daily avocado consumption can lead to improved elasticity and firmness to the facial skin of healthy women.” Champion, C. Ed.D., (2022, January, 26). Eating an avocado daily increases elasticity and firmness in skin, study shows. UCLA Health. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eating-an-avocado-daily-increases-elasticity-and-firmness-in-skin-study-shows I trust this source as it comes from a legitimate healthcare provider. Dr. Zhaoping Li says that using avocados in facemasks may be helpful, but eating them is how they really make a difference in your skin.

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by Novice (980 points)
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I believe that this answer is the best possible answer to this question. You did your research and put in the specific quote that helps prove your point, all from a trustworthy news source.
by Newbie (270 points)
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This is a really good factcheck.  It is well researched and thorough and citing the UCLA Health article adds strong support to your argument. You should also add why the original blog post is less reliable.
by Newbie (310 points)
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Hello there! I really appreciate your diligence on this fact check, and it seems like you were very interested in the topic. I thought it was very smart that you clicked on the hyperlinks and integrated those into your answer because they were reputable. I found the UCLA study on women's skin and avocados to be very interesting, and I think that was a great addition to your answer. Overall, I think you did a great job fact checking this claim, and doing thorough research.
by Newbie (360 points)
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I really liked how you did further research into the claim and checked out the hyperlinks within the article to verify their credibility. I also commend you for finding additional articles about the subject from a credible source (UCLA Health), as med spas may make false claims in order to promote certain product lines of theirs. It is important that articles such as these use credible sources such as estheticians and previous medical research to make sure their facts are correct, because if not many people may be persuaded to buy food/products that don't really work well, but are hyped up on the internet. The article that you found is also fairly recent, which helps add to the fact that the research is credible and useful for argumentation purposes. Well done!
by (100 points)
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This is a good comment because it does additional research to verify the claim, and cites a credible study from UCLA Health. The you also explains the study’s findings clearly and supported the argument with expert opinions, making the response well-researched, credible, and informative.
1 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (200 points)

First thing that should be noted is that this is a blog. Blogs are meant has sources of live-journaling someone's findings in their own life and don't require being fact-checked or run through a ton of hands like in a journalism firm. However, I have found some other articles that do say the same thing. However, I can't find any hard scientific evidence that Avocados help with skin. There are no real scientific studies to show that avocados are good for your skin. The only other articles that I could find was other beatey blogs.  10 Best Natural Ingredients for Your Hair, Skin, & Nail Health (emedihealth.com)

The only one I could find that could have some merit was one done by a doctor who works as a cosmetics consultant for a magazine. 

by Newbie (380 points)
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Totally agree with you on this blogs can be hit or miss, especially without real studies backing up their claims. It’s easy for stuff to circulate that hasn't been properly tested, even if it’s popular. Those beauty articles are often opinions or experiences, and without solid research, it's hard to say what actually works. Did the doctor or cosmetic consultant mention any specific ingredients or studies that give more weight to avocado’s skin benefits?
0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (720 points)
To some extent, the claim is true as avocado and avocado oil does offer anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that can better conditions like eczema and psoriasis but it is not a replacement for medical treatments and especially not for chronic conditions like psoriasis.

According to all three sources, Byrdie, Depology, and Medical News Today, it all states that it is best to work along avocado with hydrating agents like hyaluronic acid or a combination of retinol. Although avocados has alot of skin benefits, it is not a miracle cure for those with skin conditions but can reduce the extent of pain and the severity of it.

https://www.byrdie.com/

https://depology.com/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
Can't be true or false (Opinion, poem, etc.)
by Newbie (380 points)
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Exactly, avocado can definitely help soothe skin, but it’s not a fix all, especially for chronic conditions like psoriasis. Pairing it with things like hyaluronic acid makes sense for added hydration and balance, but it’s good to keep realistic expectations about its effects. Did any of those sources mention how often you should use avocado oil or if it’s best as a spot treatment versus all over?
by Novice (880 points)
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I think this is a great factcheck, I like how you specified that it is not a good replacement for treatment of chronic skin conditions, as that would be an important piece of information for people with those conditions to hear. I also thought the support of 3 sources made this factcheck strong.
0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (780 points)
This fact can neither be confirmed true or false. One main reason why the fact cannot be proven is because a scholarly source is not used. A blog is a website that features a series of posts, or articles, on a particular topic, usually updated regularly. Instead of using a blog, including a news article or journal providing the benefits of avocados on the skin would be more useful. Avocados are considered a heart healthy fruit and are filled with fantastic benefits for your body such as potassium, fatty acids, and fiber. included in this article are different types of face masks to try to improve skin complexion. Another reason this fact cannot be confirmed true or not is because it might work on some people and not others which is why this can very misleading to readers. Below is the website I used to get my information to fact check this claim.

https://www.cosmeticsurgeryhouston.com/blog/your-secret-younger-looking-skin-avocado-skin-benefits/
Exaggerated/ Misleading
by Novice (680 points)
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Thank you for recognizing that this claim came from a blog. However, I would beg to differ that even if the claim came from a news article or journal (as you claimed) this would still not always be enough to verify its accuracy. Even news articles and journals can get their facts incorrect or be misleading. I would say a scientific article or government article would be even more reliable than the news.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (380 points)

This statement is true. The source they used it credible but per my source https://www.kiehls.com/skincare-advice/avocado-skin-benefits.html#:~:text=What%20you%20may%20not%20know,dry%20and%20sensitive%20skin%20types. Avocados offer real skin benefits because they're packed with vitamins B, C, E, and K, which support skin health, healing, and hydration. Magnesium and potassium help keep the skin barrier strong by fighting bacteria, while omega-3 and -6 fatty acids deeply moisturize, aiding in conditions like dryness and inflammation. They also contain antioxidants, making them useful for managing dark spots and soothing skin issues like eczema and psoriasis when applied topically. 

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by Genius (49.9k points)
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Do you think Kiehl's is a legit source?
by Novice (740 points)
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You provided some good information but I think it would have been beneficial to add another source from a dermatologist, scientist, or skin expert, rather than just a beauty brand that are only trying to promote their products.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (380 points)
The original source of this claim is a blog, which while seems informative, does not cite any specific scientific data to back up its claim, and it is unclear where they found their information. Doing outside research, it seems there is scientific data to partially back up this claim as true. UCLA Health (https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eating-an-avocado-daily-increases-elasticity-and-firmness-in-skin-study-shows) published a study in 2022 that mirrored the claims of the VibrantSkinBar blog, which was that avocado increases elasticity in skin. Besides elasticity, avocado is considered a superfood so there is bound to be other benefits to health (Avocados do contain omega 6 and omega 3s), but may not be directly linked to dramatic improvements in skin.
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by Newbie (360 points)
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Your analysis provides a balanced and well-reasoned perspective on this claim. It’s crucial to note the lack of scientific citations in the original blog, as that raises questions about its reliability. By incorporating the UCLA Health study, you’ve added credible support for the claim that avocado consumption can improve skin elasticity, which is an important point. Highlighting that avocados contain beneficial nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 is valuable, but I like how you caution readers not to overstate their effects on the skin without further evidence. Overall, this is a well-rounded fact-check with thoughtful insights!
0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (740 points)
The biggest issue with this source is that it's a blog. And not only that, but the author doesn't reference any credible sources. However, the claim they are making is factual. I did some further research and I found an article posted to healthline.com that references multiple studies and is medically reviewed by a nurse practitioner. The article mentions a study from the national library of medicine, as well as a study done at Cambridge university. Given that these are trustworthy sources, I believe that the claim that avocado is good for your skin to be true.

Here's the link to the healthline article:

https://www.healthline.com/health/avocado-benefits-for-skin#benefits

And some of the credible studies that they referenced:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/association-of-dietary-fat-vegetables-and-antioxidant-micronutrients-with-skin-ageing-in-japanese-women/56684BEDBFE3C4A13F20629EB4BF2507

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20978772/
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0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (600 points)

So, the argument is that "Avocados are good for your skin." However, the word "good" in itself is subjective. So, let's look at the claims she uses in the article. She states 12 different claims on how avocados can be good for your skin. If one or two of these are correct, and there isn't any harm to your skin; then I could say, "avocados are good for your skin". 

First, this is a blog backed a "medically backed spa" as they say. The author is a physician's assistant and majored in Biology. She's working on her medical science degree. You can find this info on the blog's about page: Kristina Cadwell 

Pretty solid, but let's go further, she references a small research study on the effects of avocado on women's skin, which you can find here: Avocado Consumption Increased Skin Elasticity and Firmness in Women ‐ A Pilot Study - PMC

The study is part of the National Library of Medicine which is as credible a source as I think you can get for information on this. However, the study only looked at the effects in 30 women. 

Next, we can look at a less credible source, Medical News Today, which uploaded a similar article in 2018, 6 years before Caldwell's article. So, this information isn't new, but the point is it has had time to be debunked - otherwise I don't think Caldwell would risk her career on old news. Here is the article here: Avocado oil for skin: 8 benefits and how to use it. This also has been medically reviewed. You can do with that what you will. 

All in all, "good" is subjective, but Caldwell backs up her claims with solid research on a couple of the points. 

Here is also a Harvard public health source on the vitamins and minerals in Avocados which back up Caldwell's first claims about vitamins being good for the skin: Avocados – The Nutrition Source 

These sources coupled with the absence of articles on avocados being conversely bad for your skin, indicates to me she is telling the most truth she knows for a relatively low researched topic.

Is it highly backed by a lot of science? No. Is it purposely trying to make you believe something that is not true? Also no. I think its new research, and what they know so far, is yes, avocados are indeed good for the skin. 

Now is that internally or topically? Depends on the point she is making, as she makes 12 that would each have to be researched. 

But I think her overall point is true based on these sources I found. 

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0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (300 points)
This article was published by Vibrant Skin Bar, a spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The article was written by Kristina Cadwell, a Physician Assistant Certified. This makes it a credible source considering she has extensive knowledge of skin from getting a masters degree and works at a spa. A google search of the claim will bring up a UCLA study saying that consuming one avocado a day can help skin elasticity and firmness. And according to healthline.com, avocados benefit your skin due to the "healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients". With this information I would say the claim is true.
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by Novice (740 points)
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You should have provided a link to back up your information and allow others to learn off of the websites you did.
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (300 points)

In a recent study conducted through a collaboration at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, avocado consumption was shown to increase skin elasticity and firmness.

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eating-an-avocado-daily-increases-elasticity-and-firmness-in-skin-study-shows

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by Apprentice (1.5k points)
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Though simply providing a link to a single study that supports the main claim of the provided source is helpful to begin an investigation into its credibility, your answer is merely the start of such an investigation. This article may or may not be helpful. But, if you explored its conclusions and, perhaps, put it in conversation with similar sources, you could vastly improve the strength of your response.
by Novice (650 points)
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Maybe try putting the quotation in your own words to make the fact check better
by Novice (860 points)
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Although your quote is helpful to the investigation I feel it may have been helpful to your fact check reasoning to investigate more into the original article itself. Possibly adding a few sentences about the author and the blog as a whole would help clairify more about the actual claim at question. The source you found though is good evidence to support the blog.

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