Why You Should Be Using Olive Oil on Your Skin
No Wonder Cleopatra Loved it
With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the health benefits of consuming olive oil have been known for centuries. But what about on our skin? It’s been rumored that applying olive oil to the skin was a favorite of Cleopatra’s and it’s no surprise why.
What makes Olive Oil stand Out?
Olive oil contains many beneficial ingredients including vitamins E, K, A, and D which are known for their antioxidant properties. Squalene is another amazing ingredient you’ll find in olive oil. This natural component of sebum helps the skin retain moisture and strengthens the skin barrier overall. While most beauty products have to add these ingredients in, olive oil contains them naturally.
The Benefits of Olive Oil
As if that’s not enough reason to start incorporating this miracle oil into your routine, there’s more. Many have also reported that olive oil has greatly reduced the appearance of scars and stretch marks on their body. One study even found that applying olive oil to the skin of mice, who’d been exposed to ultraviolet rays, significantly reduced their risk of tumors compared to the mice that did not have olive oil applied to their skin. Of course, it’s important to mention there is absolutely no substitute for getting moles checked regularly, but it still wouldn’t hurt to keep some olive oil around for the inevitable bad sunburn.
The Risks of Olive Oil
Now before we all start racing to our kitchen, it’s important to note some potential risks of applying olive oil. The use of olive oil, particularly on the face can result in clogged pores.
Olive oil is a heavy oil that can sometimes make it harder to absorb into the skin. This can create bacteria which results in clogged pores and acne. For best use avoid applying olive oil on areas you’re already acne prone. Additionally, in certain cases, olive oil can cause irritation. Some people are more sensitive to olive oil on their skin than others. One study showed that putting olive oil on an infant’s skin raised the risk of eczema later in life, especially in those who already
have a genetic predisposition to eczema.
Regardless of your skin sensitivity level or family history, you should always do a patch test before fully committing to a new product. A patch test involves applying a small amount of product to the skin. This allows you to look for any sign of allergic skin inflammation without fully exposing yourself to the product. Patch tests can be really helpful when trying a new product because allergic reactions on the skin can sometimes take days to develop.
Not All Oils are Made Equal
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of olive oil application it’s important to note that not all
olive oils are made the same. Look for extra virgin olive oil that is cold-pressed and unrefined.
This eliminates the potential of bad preservatives and ensures the amazing benefits of the olives.
It’s also important to check the expiration date and store olive oil in a dark, dry place at room
temperature to maintain good quality.
Just like anything else, something with this many benefits doesn’t come without downsides. But
compared to many lotions and oils on the market that are chalked with preservatives it doesn’t
get much better than a natural alternative you can snag while shopping for groceries.
