Olive Oil for Skin

Olive oil is well known for its overall health and beauty benefits and finds utility in cooking, skin and hair care, and in preventive and healing remedies. Olive oil is very beneficial for skin and hair, and is used as a base ingredient in many skin care products like skin creams, cleansers and moisturizers. Olive oil for skin was used by the ancient Greeks, who happened to discover its benefits early on. The innumerable benefits of olive oil for skin care can be attributed to the antioxidants and vitamins that it contains. Also, the oils obtained from olives is mild and nutritious and is hence suitable for all skin types.

Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin
The benefits of olive oil for skin can be obtained by its topical application and also by its ingestion. The constituents of olive oil impart various benefits (of olive oil) for the skin, making it an all natural skin care product. For example, extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidants like polyphenols that reverse the process of skin aging by reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and also protects the skin from the harmful effect of free radicals. The vitamin E that it contains makes it an excellent skin moisturizer and facial skin care product. The various other benefits of olive oil for skin, depending upon the different skin types, is discussed below.

Olive Oil for Dry Skin
Using olive oil for dry skin can be extremely beneficial as it will help restore the health of the skin by imparting softness and glow to the skin. The vitamin E in olive oil helps get rid of dry, flaky, and broken skin and it keeps the skin moisturized and soft. The antioxidants that it contains protects dry skin from the harmful effects of pollution, sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol consumption. If you have dry skin problems, you can use olive oil to prepare homemade moisturizers, scrubs, and face packs. To prepare a face mask for dry skin using olive oil, mix a few drops of olive oil with two mashed avocados and apply it to the skin, thrice a week. Prepare a scrub using olive oil by adding a few drops of it to a mixture of crystallized sugar and oatmeal. Use this scrub to get rid of dead skin on the feet and elbows. Apply olive oil to your skin before bathing, or add it to your bath water to tackle dry skin problems.

Olive Oil for Oily Skin
Those with oily skin can benefit from olive oil by using it for cleansing and moisturizing. Using an oil for oily skin may sound contradictory, but the fact is that oil dissolves oil well. Applying olive oil to oily skin can help get rid of oily skin problems like blemishes, blackheads, cysts and acne. It deep cleans the skin and helps wash out dirt and impurities trapped in open pores of the skin. Olive oil also helps to balance out the natural oil production of the skin. It can also be used as an ingredient in face packs and scrubs for oily skin care. Massaging olive oil into the skin daily and rinsing off with lukewarm water can help control problems caused due to oily skin.

Olive Oil for Skin Problems
Using olive oil for various skin problems has proven to be beneficial in their cure and prevention as well. Olive oil can be used as a natural remedy for skin disorders like skin rash, eczema, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, sunburn, and also to prevent skin cancer. Using olive oil for skin burns and skin rashes helps soothe the skin and speeds the process of healing.

The use of extra virgin olive oil is recommended for all skin care purposes. So, now that you know the benefits of olive oil for skin care, make sure you use it in all your skin care regimens for healthy, glowing and younger looking skin!