You Glow, Girl: Using Olive Oil For Skincare

Hearth healthy and immune boosting olive oil is great for your system, but did you know that you can also use nature's liquid gold to improve your complexion? That's right, olive oil can be used as a natural exfoliator, moisturizer, cleanser, makeup remover and even an after shave. Many of the properties that make olive oil good for your heart also make it an excellent choice for skin care.  

Rich in antioxidants, olive oil is known to reduce the oxidative stress by preventing the formation of free radicals, which in turn can lead to premature aging of the skin and even skin cancer. [1] The high levels of fat-soluble vitamins found in EVOO, specifically A, D, E and K can also help in treating skin conditions. Since olive oil retains water content of the skin cells, it helps keep these cells moisturized. It also boasts natural antibacterial properties, which aid in the treatment of skin conditions. 

Modern physicians agree that using olive oil as a skincare product, first introduced by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, is a sound strategy today. Dr. Jennifer Trent, a board-certified dermatologist, concurs:

"Olive oil can effectively hydrate the skin while delivering anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, wound healing, and photo protective benefits.  It is weakly comedogenic, meaning that many people can use olive oil without breaking out, while some cannot.  Those who tolerate olive oil may find that it will reduce the inflammation and speed healing of their acne." [2]

It is recommended to spot test olive oil first to see how your skin responds; simply try adding a few drops of oil to a small patch of skin in a nondescript area. [3] Observe 1-2 days and if you do not experience any adverse reactions, you are good to add olive oil to your beauty line up. Here are a few ways to work nature's liquid gold into your summer skin care routine. 

• Use it as a makeup remover. As anyone who has ever had to pry off waterproof cosmetics can attest, makeup removers can be very harsh on your skin. Swap those products for a bit of olive oil on a cotton ball. Since like dissolves like, EVOO can help remove oil based makeup. Follow up with your favorite cleanser and a light moisturizer. 
• Try adding a few drops of olive oil to your favorite shaving lotions and creams. The oil will help the razor glide more smoothly and thereby reduce irritation. [4]
• Did you overdo it in the sun? Olive oil to the rescue! Add some olive oil to fresh aloe vera, mixing in completely, and then apply to sunburnt skin. The natural anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties of the oil will help heal damaged skin. 

Remember, the quality of olive oil matters, so be sure to get EVOO for skin care. After all, it's worked for legendary beauty Sofia Loren, who at 86 still looks radiant and swears by her EVOO-inspired skin care routine. [5]

[1] Healthline.com

[2] Zenlife.com/blog

[3] Verywellhealth.com

[4] Emedihealth.com

[5] Oliveoiltimes.com