At-Home Avocado Spa Treatments

The good people at Avocados from Mexico sent me a case of their avocados to put to use in a unique way. Their directions were to think outside the kitchen, so I decided to create a few beauty treatments using every bit of the avocado, peel to pit -- plus, a yummy smoothie to enjoy while your skin is soaking up all those nutrient-rich avocado benefits.

Avocado Moisture Mask

1/2 avocado

1/2 banana

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Avocados and bananas are packed full of nutrients and are moisturizing, honey is an anti-inflammatory and lemon is brightener and exfoliant. Mash all the ingredients together or combine in a blender, and apply to face and neck. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off.

After you scoop out an avocado, the half-shell usually has a little fruit left in it, and it's the perfect shape to moisturize your heels and elbows, which are especially susceptible to dryness. Use it to rub avocado into your skin and then rinse off.

Avocado Pit Scrub

2 teaspoons of ground avocado pit
2 teaspoons olive oil

Don't just toss those avocado pits. Rinse, dry and quarter them. Leave them out for a few days until the pit pieces are dried out. Then, use a coffee grinder to break down the pit until a fine grit forms. Add two teaspoons of olive oil to two teaspoons of ground avocado pit and use as an exfoliant for skin.

And while you're getting beautified, sip on this:

Tropical Avocado Smoothie

1/2 avocado
1 banana
3/4 cup pineapple chunks
1/2 cup orange juice

Combine avocado, banana, pineapple and orange juice in a blender or with a hand blender until smooth. Add ice or additional orange juice for a thinner consistency.

Update: Carol of Everyday Delights is the winner!

Want a chance to experiment with (or just eat) some Avocados from Mexico? Leave a comment below before noon on Saturday, March 30, and you could win an avocado prize pack, including a copy of Chef Roberto Santibañez's cookbook, "Truly Mexican," an "I Heart Avocado" t-shirt, an avocado slicer and a $10 gift card to an area retailer where Avocados from Mexico are sold. One winner will be selected at random.

This is a sponsored post for One2One Network and Avocados from Mexico. All opinions stated are my own.