When you think of olive oil, you probably think of cooking. But did you know it also deserves a place in your bathroom vanity? Yes, that’s right – olive oil is a clean beauty staple, not just a delicious addition to various recipes.
So, how is it made?
Olive oil is obtained by cold pressing whole olives, which yields pure extra virgin olive oil. The high amounts of mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fats found in this oil, along with vitamins and antioxidants, are what make it a desirable beauty product ingredient.
But, these benefits were not newly discovered. In fact, olive oil is truly the ‘O.G.’ clean beauty ingredient, with a long history of health-based uses that go back thousands of years.
Olive oil originated in the Mediterranean region. But actually, its importance was more pronounced in Ancient Greece – where the first olive plantations are thought to have been cultivated several thousand years ago.
Greeks revered the oil, which they used for their religious rituals and personal hygiene. Their doctors also considered it useful medicine. Warriors and Olympians showered with it. Roman kings were anointed with it, and Egyptians used it for skin purification.
Basically, it was a big deal for a variety of uses – and for good reason.
Olive oil has stood for beauty, opulence, peace, and robustness throughout history. And that’s why we love it as the primary ingredient in our Castile soap.
What are some of the benefits olive oil provides? You’re about to find out.
Due to its mild yet effective cleaning properties, olive oil is an ideal ingredient for cleansing your skin and allows for versatility in your bathroom vanity. How? We’ll talk about that below.
Olive oil contains antioxidants that hinder the cellular damage often caused by free radical molecules. Pretty cool, right?
Have rough, dry skin? Olive oil is also a great oil for dry skin because of its moisturizing attributes. Basically, it reduces water loss and helps keep your skin feeling soft and glowing.
We already mentioned that olive oil is versatile. So, what exactly can you use it for? Here are a few ideas:
Ready to ditch the makeup wipes and try something a little more natural (and a little less environmentally damaging)? No problem. You can trust this oil to break down makeup like eyeliner and mascara. It will also lift and move oil-soluble makeup residue from your skin.
As a powerful moisturizer, olive oil deeply hydrates and adds vitamin E. This helps keep your skin healthy and forms a protective barrier against pollution in the environment.
Applying olive oil to your hair and scalp on a weekly basis is a great way to pamper yourself with an intensive hair treatment. To do this, massage a few tablespoons of this precious oil into your dry hair and scalp.
Once your hair is well coated, twist it into a bun and put on a shower cap. Leave it for three to six hours, or preferably overnight. Then, follow up with your favorite shampoo and conditioner for super shiny, moisturized hair.
If your fingernails could use some love, olive oil makes an ideal cuticle oil. Just apply a few drops to your hands and gently rub it into your cuticles. This is especially useful to do after washing your hands or when it’s cold outside.
As you can see, olive oil is a clean beauty staple – and has been for literally thousands of years. It’s not just delicious in the kitchen but also works wonders on your skin, so be sure to take advantage of that!
Want an easy way to incorporate olive oil’s benefits into your daily beauty routine? This is the fun part. Check out our line of versatile olive oil-based cleansers to experience this luxurious ancient skin remedy for yourself!