OLIVE OIL BENEFITS FOR YOUR FACE
Olive oil and skin care
Olive oil, which is made by pressing olives and extracting their oil, comes in many different forms and has many uses. One of the best olive oil in the world can be found in the middle east, and more precisely in Lebanon.
Most of us have a bottle of olive oil sitting in our cupboards — perfect for use in a salad dressing or stir-fry. It’s likely that most people haven’t considered using it for anything other than enhancing their dinner. But people are increasingly looking toward olive oil for its benefits as a facial moisturizer.
In fact, one study found that when researchers applied olive oil to the skin of mice that were exposed to ultraviolet rays that could cause cancer, the olive oil actually worked to fight off the cancer-causing cells. The rates of tumors were significantly lower in the mice that had olive oil applied to their skin.
Skin benefits of olive oil
It’s rich in vitamins
Olive oil does have some reported benefits to the skin. According to the International Olive Council, olive oil has many vitamins, including A, D, and K, as well as vitamin E.
It has antioxidant properties
Olive oil is also an antioxidant, so it might help prevent or reverse damage from cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation. It has a very high concentration of an ingredient called squalene as compared to the other types of fats and oils that humans normally eat. The squalene is what gives olive oil the extra antioxidant boost.
It moisturizes and fights bacteria
If you’re prone to acne, using a soap made with olive oil may help decrease your acne by killing off the bacteria that causes the acne. Olive oil is also known to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
How can you use olive oil on your face and body?
Olive oil is often used as an ingredient in face and body wash products. There are cosmetics that have olive oil bases. It can also be found in some soaps, body washes, and lotions.
It’s possible to use olive oil as a moisturizer without any added ingredients by applying it directly onto your skin. From there, you can blot off any excess oil with a towel or cloth. It may be especially helpful to use olive oil as a moisturizer after you’ve been exposed to the sun or suffered a sunburn.
Takeaway
If you would like to use olive oil on your face, just remember that quality matters. Be wary of oil blends as opposed to pure olive oil. One study found that some popular brands of olive oil didn’t meet the actual standards for what olive oil should be.
Olive oil can be ruined during transportation if it’s exposed to excessive heat, light, or oxygen. The quality of the olive oil can be affected if damaged or overripe olives are used in its production or if the oil is stored improperly. Look for a label with a certification from the International Olive Council on your olive oil bottle. And when using olive oil on your face, be sure to test your skin’s reaction to the olive oil on a small part of your skin first.