Posted on November 1, 2010 - by napavalleyolivegrowers

Olive Oil and Skincare

As people begin to notice the harsh chemicals that the cosmetic and bath industry use in their products, they will hopefully shift to olive oil skin care after seeing the benefits that oil provides.  For 1,000s of years, people have been using olive oil as a natural way to keep themselves healthy.  Many people understand and acknowledge the benefits of olive oil for the body, due to the high levels of vitamin E, but many do not realize the extensive benefits that it can provide for skin.  When I was a little girl, I began to realize the benefits as I watched my mom use olive oil as a substitute for lip balm.  The olive oil not only moisturized her lips, but also tasted better than the chap stick I wore.  As I grew older and transitioned to using olive oil more in my daily skincare routine, I began to notice that it was more than just a skin moisturizer.

Olive oil can be used for a variety of different skin care regimens:

-Bath Oil:  With just a few tablespoons of oil, you can create a great alternative for bath oil.  The olive oil helps “the skin regain its natural oil balance.”

-Exfoliant:  Before moisturizing, olive oil can be combined with sugar to make a great exfoliant for your body.

-Face mask:  Beat together olive oil, egg yolk, and honey for a moisturizing 15 minute face mask.

-Night cream:  When olive oil is combined with water and vinegar in equal proportions, “olive oil will soften and moisturize the skin as you sleep. The vinegar acts to lighten skin discolorations and helps to exfoliate the skin”

-Wrinkle cream:  The antioxidants that olive oil contains help protect skin from the damaging radicals that cause fine lines and wrinkles.

-Wound treatment:  Olive oil can help treat minor skin wounds, eczema, and psoriasis

-Lip balm:  Dab on lips

-Hair moisturizer:  Apply olive oil to scalp and hair for 20-30 minutes.

-Nail soak:  Combine olive oil and lemon juice to strengthen nails and soften cuticles in only 5-10 minutes.

Source:  http://www.healthy-skincare.com/olive-oil-skin-care.html

Picture credit: http://www.amazingoliveoil.com/olive-oil-for-dry-skin.html