7 Unique Ways to Use Olive Oil for Skin Care
While olive oil has been traditionally used for cooking, it was one of the first natural treatments for improving our skin.
Mediterranean women were the first to discover that the oil from olives provides a bevy of nutrients that can help keep our skin healthy and glowing.
An abstract in The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology states that ingredients found in many of these natural plant oils, including olive oil, help to enhance and repair the natural skin barrier
Olive oil contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
These fatty acids are an important energy source and play an important role in maintaining the integrity of your skin.
Olive oil provides your skin with the vitamins A, D, E and K. It also contains carotenoids, squalene, phytosterols, chlorophyll and phenolic compounds.
A study published in the 2016 edition of Molecules, called The Health Benefiting Mechanisms of Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds, cites the chemo-protective and anti-atherosclerotic benefits which may help protect you from skin, colon and breast cancer.
And Australian researchers discuss the phenolic compound called oleocanthal. Oleocanthal is contained in virgin olive oil and was shown to possess similar anti-inflammatory properties to ibuprofen.
If you suffer from dry inflamed skin, you may benefit from using olive oil.
The oil may help reduce moisture loss, improve skin texture and tone without blocking pores.
7 Ways You can Use Olive Oil for Healthier Skin Care
1. Cuticle Softener and Moisturizer – Olive oil can help soothe cracked and peeling cuticles. Take a couple drops of olive oil and massage onto the affected nails and cuticles.
2. Make Up Removal – You can effectively remove all traces of eyeliner, eyeshadow and make-up with this oil. Soak a cotton ball with olive oil and gently wipe away make-up while moisturizing your skin at the same time.
3. Use as a Bath Oil – Adding olive oil to your bath water is an easy way to soak your skin with its healthy fatty acids. The oil can help fortify your skin’s moisture barrier which can leave your skin softer and smoother-looking.
4. Soften Calluses and Rough Skin – Soak in a warm bath and shower to soften any rough skin areas. Gently massage calluses and rough skin with a loofah brush or rough cloth. Massage olive oil directly onto these areas and work the oil into the skin. Repeat this procedure daily and it may help reduce those dry rough patches of skin from re-appearing.
5. Moisten Chapped Lips – You can use this oil to moisturize and soften dry chapped lips. Place a drop of oil on a cotton applicator or finger tip and lightly apply the oil to your lips.
6. Use to Reduce Scars – Apply the oil to recently healed cuts and scrapes; the oil’s moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties may help enhance healing and reduce the formation of scars and dark spots.
7. Help Reduce wrinkles – You may be able to use olive oil to help maintain skin moisture levels which could help reduce or delay the formation of wrinkles.
Using Specialized Olive Oil Skin Care Products
So what’s the best way to apply olive oil to your skin?
In the old days, Mediterranean women would simply apply the oil directly onto their skin, and you could choose to do it the same way.
However, due to the growing popularity of using natural plant oils for skin care, you can now get organic body lotions that contain olive oil, along with other skin-nourishing ingredients.
Many of these specialty skin care products may also contain other healthy oils, such as avocado, almond and grapeseed oils.
Make sure to look at the ingredient label to verify the actual ingredients you’re getting in each product.
Using natural plant oils for skin care can help strengthen and naturally fortify your skin.
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