Why use olive oil for skin care?

What you put on your body ends up in your body. That's why I use olive oil for skin care. I've been reading forums and websites to gain a better understanding of what people are looking for in their skin care products and I've made a surprising discovery. The focus is almost always on what is in the product while little attention is given to what isn't in the product.

In my opinion, what isn't on my skin is just as important as what is.

Would you continue using creams, lotions, massage oils, toners, cleansers, masks, etc knowing that some contain chemicals that are known carcinogens? Many contain chemicals that haven't even been tested and are not regulated.

#1 reason I use olive oil skin care is what's not in it. It starts with the extraction process. Olive oil differs from other oils because it is extracted from a fruit, not a grain or seed. That in itself may not seem like such a big deal, but it is. Virgin and extra virgin olive oils are made by mechanical extraction only. Some are filtered to eliminate little bits of olive left, but the best in my opinion, are not. That's it. Just fruit juice! If you would like to learn more about the different processes used to extract the oil, visit the Olive Oil Extraction Processes Page

Seed and grain oils are more difficult to extract and require the use of heat and chemicals. The oil is then put through a filtering process and by the time it's bottled, well...there really isn't much left of the beneficial nutrients and compounds.

#2 reason I use olive oil skin care because of what is in it. Olive oil is full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural compounds that benefit our bodies inside and out. Some that are especially good for our skin are:

Antioxidants - Olive oil is rich in antioxidants including vitamins A and E, polyphenols, phytosterols and avenasterol. They work to neutralize free radicals and repair cell membranes. A free radical is an unstable molecule created by exposure to things like cigarette smoke, pollution, alcohol and radiation.

Squalene - A natural organic compound used in cosmetics as a moisturizer. It is taken from the liver of sharks, but also found in olive oil - a more environmentally friendly source. Squalene helps to regulate sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebacious glands in our skin and is secreted through our pores. It forms a coating on the skin that acts as a barrier, inhibits the growth of micro-organisms and lubricates our skin and hair.

Chlorophyll - A photosynthetic pigment found in plants and algae. It is an anti-aging substance that promotes the healing of skin conditions and wounds.

Learn more about the nutrients in olive oil and their benefits on the Olive Oil Nutrients Page

#3 reason I use olive oil skin care - It's cheap! I know, that doesn't sound right. Olive oil is not known as a cheap alternative to other oils for culinary uses, but it is when compared to other skin care products. I don't use gourmet, unfiltered special olive oils at $35.00 for 500 mls, but I do use a grocery store extra virgin. The amount of money people are willing to part with for beauty products is staggering. Age defying, wrinkle reducing, skin firming, acne fighting, blemish diminishing, along with re-hydrating, moisturizing, exfoliating, cleansing, and the list goes on and on. Most of which are packed full of synthetic chemicals, colours, artificial fragrances etc. etc. I've found that plain old extra virgin olive oil and a few other basic natural ingredients are all I need for my skin care.

This little movie is a favourite of mine. It's a simple, but informative explanation of the toxic problems in the cosmetic industry.