The secret to glowing skin could be right in your pantry. Commonly used in cooking, olive oil could prevent signs of aging and give your skin a healthy boost. Here’s all you need to know about the secret weapon.
What Is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is made mainly of oleic acid. Smaller amounts of linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and other fatty acids make up the rest of it. Most people use it to fry food or in salad dressings. Extra virgin olive oil is what most people use to flavor their food. Regular olive oil contains antioxidants. These help to fight free-radical damage. It also contains squalene which is helpful in moisturizing. Studies show applying olive oil to skin might actually reverse sun damage and may prevent signs of aging. It may all seem too good to be true. Some aren’t big fans of olive oil due to its thickness that could lead to clogged pores.
The History
Olive oil may have been around since the Early Minoan period in the early 1000 BCs. Olive trees were sparse and popular across the Mediterranean. Olives played a large role in the island of Crete’s economy as early as 1500 BC. The legendary Cleopatra was a beauty of her time. Legend states that she used olive oil on her skin. In fact, many of the ancient Romans and Greeks used it on their skin. The olive was native to their environment so it was a natural thing to use for many things besides eating. They must have realized it was a natural skin moisturizer. The Egyptians used olive oil as well as beeswax for all of its properties. In Greece olive oil was used during the massage to relieve muscle pain and prevent injuries. The Japanese are known for their youthful look. In 2000, Japan was the top importer of olive oil in Asia at 13,000 tons annually. This is because the Japanese people use it for both consuming and topical application.
The Good Stuff
1 – Full of Antioxidants
Skin wrinkles and ages over time. There is nothing that can totally alleviate this aging process. Damaged or destroyed cells lead to aging skin. The free radicals in the skin can be destroyed by antioxidants. Many people love to use olive oil because it has a high antioxidant content. This helps prevent oxidation, which might produce free radicals that could lead to damaging cells and contributing to skin cancer. These antioxidants are great to prevent premature aging. They may also help fight skin cancer. Putting olive oil on the skin may help fight off the cells that cause skin cancer. By both consuming and applying olive oil, its antioxidants get into your body helping to destroy the free radicals that cause aging and skin cancer.
2 – Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties to help fight inflammation. The antioxidants in olive oil help many people the same way as ibuprofen and other anti-inflammation drugs. The oleic acid in the oil helps reduce inflammation in the C-reactive proteins of the body. Using this on the skin works in the same way as it may help inflammation areas on the skin. Many times pimples or other problem areas that arise on the skin are surrounded with inflamed skin. Olive oil can help ease this inflammation. The only problem could be if the skin is extremely sensitive, it could clog the pores around the affected area so test the skin before applying all over the area.
3 – A Youthful Glow
Olive oil is a natural way to maintain the youthful glow of your skin. The moisturizing properties in the oil work with almost all skin types as nourishment. This nourishment helps soften the skin. The softening provides a natural, beautiful glow. Mixing this olive oil with another moisturizer seals in the effects giving the body an all-over glow.
Uses and How To Apply Olive Oil
The Face
Using olive oil on the skin doesn’t mean you need to douse yourself in it just to get the good stuff. Less is more when applying olive oil. You don’t have to walk around with it dripping off your face for that literal glow. If you do this, it might actually clog your pores. Use a few drops once or twice a week in the beginning to test the skin. Watch the results in that week. After this week, apply liberally to your skin.
All-Over Moisturizer
You can use olive oil all over the body like lotion. Many people use baby oil only to see it dry up in a few hours. Olive oil should be used in a minimal way so you don’t set off the “glow” alarms. Just like the face, you don’t need your body dripping with oil. Use it like lotion so you get a faint glow with all of the nutrients. It does have a distinct smell so you might not want to use a lot of it for that reason either. It’s best applied to damp skin so it will penetrate the skin deeper and quicker.
Make-Up Remover
One of the best things about olive oil is that it is a natural way to take off your make-up. Use it to take off your mascara and eyeliner. In doing so, you will also moisturize that delicate skin around the eye. It also moisturizes the eyelashes in the same way conditioner nourishes your hair.
Cracked Heels
A nice pedicure is often the only way some people can heal their dry, cracked heels. Olive oil might do this trick instead of spending lots of money. Exfoliate the area with a scrub then apply oil to the feet. Wear socks to bed, and wake up with renewed feet. The moisturizer in the olive oil helps the repair the cracked, dry areas of the heels in a few hours.
Sunburn Treatment
A sunburn is no fun. Oil might sound like a strange way to treat a sunburn, but it’s actually a natural way to ease the blistering. Mix it with vinegar. Rub this concoction over the sunburned area. It might sound like it will burn, but it will actually help. The anti-inflammatory parts in both the vinegar and oil will help ease the pain of the sunburn.
Shaving Cream
You don’t need to invest in shaving cream when you have a natural alternative. Olive oil keeps away razor burn and pesky bumps. It’s lubricating and moisturizing to the body so it’s a natural way to rid of hair without the burn.
Nails Health
Olive oil can also work to help your nails and cuticles. Soak hands in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for five minutes. After hands dry, apply a few drops of oil to each cuticle. Let the olive oil absorb for ten minutes. You can also use it to help nails grow due to vitamin E in it. Nails love vitamin E for its moisturizing properties that helps them to grow.
Cracked Lips
Olive oil may help dry, cracked lips get relief. You can mix it with sugar and lemon juice to make a scrub. Put this scrub on your lips for a soft feel. The concoction is a natural way to rid of those chapped, dry lips that often come with cold weather.
Scar Massage Oil
Olive oil’s rich sense of vitamins and antioxidants may help fade the look of scars by regenerating skin cells. Massage the oil on top of the scar. Many people mix it with lemon juice to treat areas of hyper-pigmentation. This sometimes happens when the area around the scar is darker than other areas of the skin.
Risks
Clogged Pores
It’s important to always test the skin before applying olive oil all over it. It’s a hefty, thick oil. It may clog some people’s pores leading to problem areas on the face. This can usually be avoided if people use the oil sparingly. Also it is best to wipe the excess oil away with a soft cloth.
Low-Quality Oil
There are many different types of olive oil on the shelves. Do not buy low-quality oil. Some of these contain additives and/or chemicals that can damage the skin or cause irritation. It is best to use pure oils instead of those with blends in them.
Expecting A Miracle
There is no foolproof way to ward off aging except finding the Fountain of Youth. Olive oil may show results of anti-aging in some, but not show any effect on others. It is up to each person’s skin along with genes and the way people live. The best way to see if it is a miracle for you is to try it out for yourself for a few weeks.
Final Thought on Olive Oil & Your Skin
This product is a glowing secret for many people. The vitamins, antibacterial characteristics, and antioxidants help the skin look and feel better. Always use sparingly if you have sensitive skin. The best news is that if olive oil doesn’t work well for your skin type, you can always use it to cook your next meal.
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