The Benefits of Olive Oil in Your Beauty Routine!
Olive oil, or “liquid gold”, has been staple in kitchens and medicine cabinets for decades. Olive oil has a rich history dating back to ancient times, with uses inside and outside of the kitchen! Incorporating olive oil into your beauty and skincare routine has many benefits, mainly working to give your skin a natural and healthy glow.
The History of Olive Oil in Beauty
The use of olive oil in beauty regimens can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations. The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all recognized the value of olive oil not only as a food source but as a key part of their beauty and health practices.
Olive oil was a key part of beauty routines for ancient Egyptians. Cleopatra is even said to have used it in her skincare regimen. The Egyptians used olive oil to create luxurious oils for massages and to anoint their bodies after bathing, believing that it would protect and soften their skin against the harsh desert climate.
Ancient Greeks considered olive oil to be a gift from the gods. They used it not only as a food source, but as a base for perfumes and skin balms. Greek athletes would even rub their bodies with olive oil before competitions, as they believed it would enhance their performance and protect their skin from the sun and other summer elements.
The Romans adopted the Greek use of olive oil and expanded upon it further. Olive oil baths were a common practice in Roman society, and it was often used in combination with fragrant herbs to create aromatic skincare products. Roman woman even used olive oil to cleanse and moisturize their skin, creating a ritual that would later inspire modern routines.
The Benefits of Olive Oil in Modern Skincare
Today, olive oil remains a beloved ingredient in natural skincare. Its rich composition, full of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats, makes it key for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. I used olive oil in a number of my products, including all of my lip products, my growth serum, soaps, and my body care products! It is so incredibly versatile and has a ton of benefits for your body, outside the kitchen. Some benefits of incorporating olive oil in your skincare routine include:
- Moisturization: Olive oil is an excellent natural moisturizer! Its high content of fatty acids, specifically oleic acid, helps lock in moisture to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Olive oil is especially beneficial for dry or sensitive skin, as it offers deep hydration without harsh chemicals that are found in many moisturizers at the store.
- Antioxidant Protection: Olive oil is packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols, which help protect the skin from environmental damage. These antioxidants also combat free radicals, which cause premature aging and other skin issues. Regularly using olive oil in your routine can help you maintain youthful, glowing skin.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The anti-inflammatory properties in olive oil, like oleocanthal, can soothe irritated and inflamed skin. This makes olive oil incredibly helpful for people who deal with eczema, psoriasis, or acne. Applying olive oil reduces redness and calms the skin for an overall more even complexion.
- Cleansing and Exfoliation: Olive oil can be used as a gentle cleanser to remove makeup and skin impurities. When combined with natural exfoliants like sugar or salt, it can remove dead skin cells to keep your skin smooth and rejuvenated.
- Healing and Repair: The vitamins and health fats in olive oil aid the skin’s natural healing processes. Whether it is a small cut, suburn, or dry patch of skin, olive oil can accelerate the healing process and prevent scarring. It also strengthens the skin’s barrier, protecting it from further damage.
How to Use Olive Oil in Your Beauty Routine
Now, I’m not saying go to your kitchen and grab your olive oil and start lathering yourself in it! Rather, make sure you have extra virgin olive oil that is ideally cold pressed and unrefined, so you are getting all the antioxidants and benefits from the natural olives and no added preservatives. Once you have that, here are some ways to incorporate liquid gold into your daily beauty regimen:
- Moisturizer: After cleansing your face, apply a small amount of olive oil to damp skin to seal in moisture.
- Makeup Remover: Use a cotton pad soaked in olive oil to gently remove makeup, including stubborn mascara
- Facial scrub: Create a natural scrub by mixing olive oil with sugar or sea salt, and gently massage onto the skin and rinse off for a smooth finish.
- Hair Treatment: Warm some olive oil and apply it to your scalp and hair for a deep conditioning treatment. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing out with shampoo and conditioner for soft, shiny, hair.
- Cuticle oil: Massage olive oil into your cuticles to keep them hydrated and healthy.
The timeless appeal of olive oil in beauty and skincare is a testament to its effectiveness and versatility. From the ancient civilizations to modern beauty routines, olive oil continues to be a beloved ingredient for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. By incorporating olive oil into your routine you can enjoy the benefits that have been appreciated for centuries.
Why not take some advice from history and add a touch of liquid gold into your skincare and beauty routine? Your skin will thank you!