Due to the great number of benefits, olive oil has been ranked among the top nutrition provider.
Olive oil has been widely used in your salads as well as many other things. It is one of healthiest components to make your food taste better.
It has been widely used in soaps making it mild and very skin friendly. It also helps to moisturize your body by the use of this oil in the soap.
This oil comes directly from the Mediterranean Region and it has become so famous that it has been used in all the continents. It is a favorite among all the health conscious people.
Having beautiful skin just seems to be the proverbial never-ending quest of women.
One only needs to visit the local supermarket or beauty shop to see the wide array of skin products that are supposed to provide the secret to youthful skin.
Many of these products promise rejuvenation and revitalization of the pores, making the skin blemish-free and silky white.
Many of these products cost a fortune but the buyers keep on coming just to attain their goal of having the perfect complexion.
But unknown to many, one of nature’s best kept beauty secrets might be found sitting on a shelf in one’s kitchen pantry.
Organic skin care has already been used by many because of its natural ingredients that can help the skin feel and look healthy, without the harm of other rough, harsh, and strong skin care components.
For many years, the earliest of cultures have seen the potential of olive oil when it comes to organic skin care.
First cultivated by the Greeks over 4,000 years ago in Crete, olive oil was an integral part of the Minoan economy, and was often kept in large settling tanks.
The Greeks then quickly learned that this organic oil had amazing properties.
Aside from being a flavorful food source, olive oil was also used to heat oil lamps and to make soap.
It was not long before the Greeks, together with other Mediterranean women, used it as a skin moisturizer and ointment for soothing dry skin and sunburns.
Olive oil was also used as a skin highlighter, allowing the user to emphasize the curves and shapes of the body.
In terms of actual health benefits, the consumption of olive oil has been shown to stimulate bone growth and calcium absorption. Tests show that the oil helps prevent cancer, diabetes, and skin aging.
Studies also show that the consumption of olive oil results in favorable effects on cholesterol regulation and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation.
Olive oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-hypertensive properties.
Since olive oil is rich in antioxidants, it is speculated that its use may help counteract the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Studies in Japan have also proven that the antioxidants in olive oil help in neutralizing free radical damage.
While olive oil is not a sunscreen and does not prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin, using it as a cosmetic does help in protecting the skin against acquired aging and damage from the sun.
Being an excellent organic skin care product, olive oil is also a superior moisturizer and humectant. It can attract moisture from the air and binds it to the skin.
Skin conditions such as eczema and acne respond well to skin care products containing, or made with olive oil, because of the anti-bacterial properties of this organic oil.
So before buying the latest and most expensive chemical-based skin care products, consider using natural skin beauty enhancers that contain olive oil.
Aside from its proven effects as a beauty product, olive oil can also be massaged onto the cuticles to restore nail strength and resiliency to the nail bed.
In addition, olive oil may also be used as an all-body moisturizer when it is added to bathwater.
Massaging it into the hair and scalp will also restore the head’s crowning glory.
Indeed, olive oil is such a gift of nature that allows women to regain their youthful skin.
Olive Oil Home Made Recipes
If you want to have smooth and fine nails olive oil is the best solution. Dowse your nails in a cup of olive oil for 30 minutes and find the best results.
Apply Olive oil liberally on your hands. To avoid spreading it elsewhere, wear cotton gloves. This method helps you to get a smoother and softer skin.
Olive oil is the best solution for chapped lips. It does wonders to your lips.
To have beautiful, lustrous, shiny, silky and dandruff free hair, olive oil is the best bet.
You can apply a good amount of oil on your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes, later shampoo it.
It is a great moisturizing solution which makes your skin softer and smoother.
To make yourself an interesting bathing solution you can add 3-4 tbsp. of olive oil with a few drops of essential oil.
You can make an excellent night cream by using 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water.
This helps to lighten your skin, kill bacteria and makes your skin smooth and clear.
It can work as a cleansing cream if you have dry skin.
Apply olive oil and then scrub with a good amount of sugar. Later, wipe the sugar off your face with a wet and warm cloth. One of the easiest ways to get facial done.
Soften your feet by applying olive oil on your feet.
Mix in bowl 1 egg, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp olive oil and few drops of rose water. Use this as a mask for dry skin. Once applied keep it for some time. Later, rinse it off with warm water. Dab it dry.
Make a paste by mixing some mashed apricots and warm olive oil. Apply this paste all over your face and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it off with water.
The benefits of using olive oil for shaving are huge.Â
It is such a natural lubricant that the right kind of razor will slide right across your face giving you smooth and soft skin and still getting the job of cutting the growth from your face.
And the best part is that your skin may actually start to look younger after using olive oil to shave with over the long term.
One nice thing about it is that you don’t have to use high-quality olive oil.
You can buy the inexpensive low-grade olive oil that doesn’t taste very good from your local supermarket to shave with. A bottle will last a really long time.
You can kiss your shaving cream goodbye. You can also leave out aftershave if you so choose. Your skin should feel great without it.
Below are some additional homemade recipes you can prepare using olive oil. Use some precautions and check with your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to the ingredients.
Olive Oil Cream
You will need:
1/2 tsp. borax
2 tsp. boiling water
4 tbsp. petroleum jelly
4 tbsp. olive oil
You have to:
1. Dissolve borax in boiling water.
2. Melt petroleum jelly and olive oil over low heat until liquid.
3. Add borax mixture.
4. Stir to mix thoroughly.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Beat as the mixture cools to emulsify.
7. Store it in the refrigerator.
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Olive Oil Shaving Cream
You will need:
1/4 cup stearic acid
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup hot water
1 tsp borax
2 tbsp. grated soap
You have to:
1. Melt stearic acid and oil in the double boiler until clear liquid forms.
2. Mix hot water, borax, and soap and stir until the borax and soap are dissolved.
3. Pour the soap solution into a blender and blend well for about 1 minute.
4. Slowly pour the melted stearic acid mixture into the soap solution.
5. Blend on high until a smooth cream form.
6. Pour into a clean container and allow to cool completely.
7. To use, soften your beard or legs with warm water and then apply the shaving cream. Use a sharp, clean razor.
Carolina Cleansing Cream
You will need:
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup lard
1/2 tsp. tincture of benzoin
Several drops peppermint extract
You have to:
1. Mix well in a clean glass bottle.
2. Apply to face with fingers.
3. Remove with tissues.
4. Keep in a cool place.
Lotion BarÂ
You will need:
2 oz. Olive Oil
2 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
6 oz. Beeswax
Essential Oil or Fragrant Oil of your choice
You have to:
1. Just melt the wax and oils in a double boiler.
2. Scent if you wish and pour into whatever small mold you like.
4. Allow to harden.
Egyptian Facial
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You will need:
1 egg beaten
1/2 tsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tbsp. whole milk
You have to:
1. Mix all the ingredients together until creamy and blended.
2. Spread mixture over the face and neck.
3. Leave on 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with cool water and pat dry
Lady Godiva Body Scrub
You will need:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp. light olive oil
2 tbsp. fresh whole milk
You have to:
1. Mix together all ingredients into a smooth cream
2. Before bathing, gently massage the mixture all over your body to increase circulation and remove dry, flaky skin.
3. Rinse with warm water and moisturize.
4. Store in refrigerator, discard if milk sours.
Scented Salt Body Scrub
You will need:
3 cups fine sea salt
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup sweet almond oil
Essential oils as desired
You have to:
1. Mix salt, olive oil, and almond oil in a glass bowl.
2. Add an essential oil such as peppermint, for scent.
3. Store it in a tightly sealed glass jar.
4. Leave on for five to 20 minutes, then rinse.
This scrub is perfect after a bath or shower while the skin is still warm and damp. Massage a tablespoon or two onto the skin in small circles.
* Note: Do not use any equipment with copper, aluminum or Teflon finishes because these will react with the ingredients. Stick with stainless steel, glass, ceramic or plastic.
Also, if the scrub is used on children, the elderly, or if pregnant, check with an aromatherapist concerning the use of essential oils.
