7 Olive Oil Benefits For Your Skin │ Sitting Pretty

Olive oil is a kitchen staple that has been used for centuries for its many health benefits. But, did you know about olive oil's benefits for your skin? Olive oil is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help to improve the appearance and health of your skin.

In this article, I'll share 10 of the top olive oil benefits for your skin that I've come to love over the years. I'll also provide you with some tips on how to use olive oil for skincare too!

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Olive Oil Benefits For Your Skin

Often hailed as a kitchen champion, olive oil has graced our salads and pastas for ages. However, there's a secret side to this liquid gold: its plethora of benefits for the skin. Loaded with potent vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, olive oil is the silent hero working wonders on your skin's health and appearance. Ready to dive into the transformative world of olive oil skincare? Let's unveil the top 10 olive oil benefits for your skin that will revolutionize your skincare routine.

1. Quench Your Skin's Thirst. With its natural moisturising properties, olive oil acts like a drink of water for parched skin. Those battling dryness will find it particularly rejuvenating. Just dab it on post-shower for an instant hydration boost or mix it into your go-to lotion.

2. Helps Slow Wrinkles. A powerhouse of antioxidants, olive oil tackles the nefarious free radicals responsible for accelerating skin aging. Regular application can keep those pesky wrinkles at bay, ensuring your skin looks fresh and youthful.

3. Calms Irritated Skin. Troubled by red, irritated skin patches? Olive oil is your skin's best friend. Its anti-inflammatory properties can comfort and alleviate irritation, making it a skin saviour during those harsh winter months or after sun exposure.

4. Helps Heals Scars. Whether it's an old scar or a new one, olive oil can accelerate healing and diminish its appearance with its healthy fats and nutrients. Make it a routine and watch those scars fade away.

5. Stretch Mark Solution. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or growth spurts—stretch marks can appear for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, olive oil can help minimise their appearance, keeping your skin smooth and supple.

6. Moisturises Scalp Skin and De-Frizzes Hair. Beyond just skin, olive oil works magic on the scalp and ultimately on your hair too. A little drizzle on the scalp and ends can transform dry, frizzy locks into shiny, luscious strands.

7. Boost Overall Skin Suppleness. For skin that radiates health, make olive oil your daily ritual. Its natural emollients hydrate, soften, and enhance your skin's overall texture and health.

Harnessing Olive Oil's Power

Here's you can use some of the many olive oil benefits for your skin.

For an amazing dose of hydration: After washing that beautiful face of yours, warm up a tad bit of olive oil between your fingers. Now, gently work it into your skin. It's like giving your skin a luxurious drink after a long day.

To help fight redness: Those inflamed, angry patches? Just soak a cotton ball in olive oil and gently dab. Watch your skin thank you with every calming touch.

For soft, glowing skin: Want a glow that doesn't break the bank? Take some sugar, mix in olive oil, and there you have it! A natural exfoliant that'll make your skin sing.

For a sunkiss tan that went a little too red: If you've been embracing the sun and got a little toastier than expected, soothe that sunburn with some olive oil. Your skin will soak up the anti-inflammatory relief.

For a ski-trip wind burn: Heading out on a blustery day? Olive oil to the rescue! A dab before facing the wind can make all the difference.

Olive Oil & Dry Skin

If your skin's been feeling tighter and flaky lately, olive oil is the golden ticket for you. Olive oil benefits for your skin include:

Why Olive Oil? First things first, olive oil isn’t just for drizzling over your bruschetta. This liquid gold is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E. Imagine giving your skin a luxe, moisturizing hug—that's olive oil for you.

Dry Skin's BFF: Remember those dry, flaky patches that make you want to hide from the world? Olive oil can help show them the exit door. It seeps right into the skin, locking in moisture and creating a protective barrier against the elements.

Bye-Bye, Tightness: That uncomfortable, tight feeling after a shower? Swap your regular moisturiser with a few drops of olive oil, and you’ll be left wondering why you hadn't done this sooner.

No More Dull Days: Dry skin often looks lifeless and dull. Olive oil is like that spotlight, making your skin look radiant and feel baby-soft.

CHECK THIS OUT: 10 Vitamin E Oil Benefits For Radiant Skin

Olive Oil & Oily Skin

Ever heard the phrase, "fight fire with fire"? This time, we’re diving into the counterintuitive world of using olive oil on oily skin. I know, I know–it sounds like pouring water into a full glass, but bear with me here. Olive oil benefits for your skin include:

The Oil Balancing Act: Contrary to what you might think, not all oils are the enemy of oily skin. Olive oil, a star in this scenario, can actually help regulate sebum production. Yep, by providing your skin with the good fats it craves, it may produce less of its own oil. Who knew?

Cleanse the Natural Way: Ever tried oil cleansing? Olive oil can effortlessly dissolve that stubborn makeup, grime, and excess oil. And here’s the bonus: it cleans without stripping your skin raw. It’s nature’s way of saying, “I got you!”

Non-Comedogenic Coolness: Worried about clogged pores? Olive oil is non-comedogenic. This means it’s less likely to clog pores compared to many other oils. So, breathe easy and let olive oil work its magic.

Antioxidant Overload: Oily skin is often more prone to environmental damage. Enter olive oil with its antioxidant-rich profile. Think of it as a protective, glow-enhancing shield against daily pollutants.

How to Roll with It: If you’re venturing into using olive oil for your oily skin, start small. Post-cleansing, pat your skin dry and apply a few drops, especially if you're feeling a bit dry or dehydrated. For cleansing, massage it in, let it mingle with all the day’s grime, and then gently wipe it away with a warm cloth.

Still on the fence? I get it. It’s like someone telling you chocolate is the key to weight loss. But skincare is a realm of discovery, and sometimes, the most unexpected ingredients can be the heroes we've been waiting for.

Bottom line? Don’t let the "oil" in "olive oil" spook you. Your skin's unique, and sometimes it craves a touch of the unexpected.

READ: What Skincare You Should Use Based On Your Skin Type

Navigating the Olive Oil Aisle

Ever found yourself staring at the countless olive oil options in the supermarket, wondering which olive oil benefits your skin? Let's break it down, shall we?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): The crème de la crème! If olive oils had a VIP section, EVOO would be front and center. Brimming with antioxidants and fatty acids, it’s the ultimate skin guardian against everyday wear and tear. When it comes to skincare, think of EVOO as that top-tier, gold-standard friend who never lets you down.

Virgin Olive Oil: Almost as fabulous as EVOO, Virgin Olive Oil is like the trusty sidekick. While it may not have EVOO's superstar concentration of antioxidants, it's still dripping (pun intended) with nourishing fatty acids.

Refined Olive Oil: Twice on the list? Someone's popular! But here's the tea—refined means it's undergone a bit of a makeover to remove any impurities. While it boasts a longer shelf life, its nutrient profile isn’t as impressive as our Virgin pals. Think of it as the filtered version of an already pretty picture.

Pomace Olive Oil: This underdog is derived from the remnants once the primary olive oil is extracted. While it might ace some culinary tests, when it comes to skincare, it's probably not your first-round pick.

A hot tip? Some skin type might play hard to get with olive oil. So, always best to start with a patch test.

Olive Oil Shopping 101

All set for your olive oil hunt? Fantastic! Picture this as your own little treasure map to finding the best olive oil for your skin:

The Ivy Leaguers of Olive Oil: Start by seeking out labels that proudly display "Extra Virgin" or "Virgin." They're the top tier in the olive oil world—think Harvard and Yale of skincare!

Cold-Pressed is Cool: Spot the term "Cold-Pressed"? You're on the right track. This means the oil has been extracted in a way that preserves all its glorious skin-loving nutrients. It's like ordering a salad that's full of fresh, uncooked veggies bursting with goodness.

Packaging Matters: In the world of olive oil, dark glass bottles are the 'it' trend. And it's not just about looks. Dark glass helps keep your oil protected from light damage. Add a trusted brand to the mix and you've got yourself a skincare superstar.

Storing the Liquid Gold: Once you've bagged your bottle, remember, your olive oil likes to play it cool—away from heat and light. So give it a cozy corner in a cool, dark place. Think of it as your oil's personal VIP lounge!

So there you have it! Olive oil isn't just for chefs and foodies. It's a secret skincare weapon that's been hiding in plain sight. Ready to let your skin sip on this Mediterranean magic? Dive in and experience the olive oil benefits for your skin!