Olive oil is one of the most sought after natural oils for skin care. In fact, olive oil has been used as an ancient remedy for skin care during the Egyptian civilization and it is still widely used today. Everything from, stretch mark therapy, acne therapy and anti-aging therapy have been used for a long time. The general population will most likely use olive oil as a food condiment .

The most expensive olive oil product is usually labeled as “extra virgin” or “cold pressed”. This is because extra virgin olive oil is extracted from the first pressing of olives. It is not processed and it is the purest of olive oil extract. So if you are buying any bottle of extra virgin olive oil for cooking, you’ll be pleased to know that it is the healthiest type of oil for cooking. Even skin products labeled as “extra virgin” are more expensive, have more nutritional compounds for skin health and are far better at helping to improve the appearance of your skin.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

There are a variety of antioxidants in olive oil including Vitamin A and E but the most potent compound is hydroxytyrosol. Hydroxytyrosol is a very rare but potent antioxidant found in olive oil that prevents free radical damage on skin cells. This compound also absorbs deeply into the skin and is suitable for all skin types. For this reason, olive oil has very potent anti-inflammatory properties and used in a variety of products

Moisturizing Properties

As explained earlier, olive oil is abundant in antioxidants. These antioxidants work really well as moisturizers. One of the main reasons why olive oil works really well as a moisturizer is the hydrophilic properties of these antioxidants which allow it to form a protective barrier trapping moisture on your skin. Lots of skin products used various synthetic chemical that do moisturizer but they clog your pores and are carcinogenic in some cases. For this reason, olive oil can be applied on your face. In addition to that, its deep penetrating properties not only moisturize your skin but also help brighten your skin.

To use olive oil on your face, just follow these simple steps:

• Wash your face with water thoroughly.
• Apply a layer of olive oil moisturizer on your face just before you go to sleep.

Alternatively, you can create a moisturizing face mask with olive oil, honey and egg. Leave it on your face for 15 minutes daily. You will begin to see results even after a few days of application. If you are not sure how to make face mask, there are plenty of methods to make your face mask

Skin Exfoliator

Olive oil helps remove clogged pores and dead skin cells. But why use olive oil? One of the main reasons is because it does not clog pores. The other reason is because it smoothens your skin texture and softens your skin due to its intrinsic antioxidant properties. all

Just mix a little bit of olive oil and sea salt on your palm. Use extra virgin olive oil for best results. Rub it evenly and then apply it over dry skin to remove dead skin cell layers. If you don’t want to use sea salt you can opt to use sugar as well in the mixture. It is best to use salt and olive oil mixture on your face. Sugar and olive oil mixture is best used on the body.

This will allow healthier and younger skin to grow upwards and replace dead skin. Do this every week and you will be on your way to healthier and younger looking skin.

This method is best done at night before bed. If your skin feels dry after cleansing, use a drop of oil mix and massage into dry areas.

Compiled by

N. HAJ Khidr