Olive oil is a pantry staple in many households. It’s a healthy dietary component that people use in numerous culinary applications. The same properties of olive oil that benefit the body internally, may also contribute to better skin health. In fact, olive oil may help to provide relief from sun damage, combat dry skin, and protect against environmental damage.
What Is Olive Oil?
People make olive oil by pressing olives and expressing their oil. The rich monounsaturated fatty acid and antioxidant content makes olive oil a healthy addition to diets and skin care regimens. Manufacturers regularly incorporate plant oils like olive oil into cosmetic products because of its many health benefits. Olive oil is a high-performing plant oil that has moisturizing and emollient properties. You can easily damage olive oil with excessive heat, light and the addition of oxygen, so store it in a cool area with the cap on tight.
Helps Repair Damaged Skin Tissues
The skin is the largest organ in the body that protects the body from external harm, including sun damage. What protects the skin from these threats, though? It’s your responsibility to take good care of the skin and protect it. Olive oil has regenerative that may help repair skin tissues that the sun damages. The antioxidant activity is most effective in areas where cracked skin exists, for example, on the elbows and knees. It’s also possible for olive oil to protect against inflammation, environmental damage, and general irritation.
It May Accelerate Wound Healing
Olive oil contains triterpenes, specifically erythrodiol, uvaol, and maslinic acid. They exhibit cardioprotective activity, antitumoral activity, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These triterpenes are especially beneficial for wound healing, cell proliferation, cell migration, and collagen deposition. In simpler terms, olive oil may enhance the body’s ability to repair wounds at a much quicker rate.
Helps Prevent Water Loss
Olive oil is an emollient with occlusive properties, meaning that it helps to seal moisture into the skin. Extra virgin olive oil, specifically, has nourishing properties that encourage optimal skin hydration. The vitamin A, E, and K content help to moisturize even the most sensitive of skin types. Olive oil works to lock moisture into the skin by increasing the skin’s natural water content. This not only improve the general health of the skin, but also keeps it looking healthy and smooth.
Helps Remove Makeup
When people apply makeup and then take it off, it’s very common to experience dry skin. The reason for this is because some makeup removal products contain aggressive surfactants, which increase dryness and sensitivity. There are some cleansing soaps that effectively and safely remove makeup, but they can be hard to find. To remove traces of sunscreen and makeup, use olive oil because it emulsifies with those products on the skin. That aids with their complete removal when you wipe the skin with reusable pads or a warm washcloth. When you massage olive oil on the face in circular motions, you’ll see it start to emulsify with the traces of makeup or sunscreen.
It May Combat Aging
Aging is a natural part of life, but external factors and unhealthy habits can accelerate this process. The high polyphenol content in extra virgin olive oil may help combat the aging process. Dermatologists believe that the antioxidant activity helps to fight free radical formation, which can contribute to the aging of cells. Olive oil also combats the harmful effects of ultraviolet damage from sun rays. Applying it to the skin may not only lighten sun spots, but also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes.
Olive oil is an excellent product to add to your skin care regimen, but it’s best to purchase extra virgin olive oil. Regular olive oil is often a blend that includes both cold-pressed and processed oils. Extra virgin olive oil is made from pure, cold-pressed olives, meaning you get the nutrients directly from the olives.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
