The use of olive oil for cosmetic and medical purposes for the treatment of skin diseases has been traced back to centuries.
The beneficial properties of olive oil for the skin have been attributed due to its high fatty acids, phenolic, and Vitamin E compositions.
For this, in this article, we will explore what are the benefits of olive oil for skin and how to use olive oil to get maximum benefits.
Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin
1. Source of Antioxidants
Olive oils are a great source of antioxidants. They provide plant polyphenols which range from 50 to 1000 mg/Kg.
Plant polyphenols are effective in preventing the risk of a variety of skin disorders caused as a result of exposure to solar UV light such as skin cancer.
Polyphenols do so by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, dysregulation of cellular signaling pathways, and immunosuppression.
Besides, olive oil is also a rich source of Vitamin E that can react with reactive oxygen species and can absorb the energy from ultraviolet (UV) light. In this way, olive oil can provide photo-protection that prevents UV-induced free radical damage to the skin.
2. Can Improve Skin Elasticity
Skin elasticity is the ability of the skin to bounce back to its original shape when stretched. As you grow older your skin starts losing its elasticity.
The loss of skin elasticity leads to slack, saggy, or dark skin. To improve skin elasticity, olive oil is considered as one of the effective remedies.
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acid and saturated fatty acids which in combination play a crucial role in improving skin elasticity.
Vitamin E which is found in abundance in olive oil protects collagen cross-linking and helps in enhancing collagen synthesis which as a result can improve skin elasticity.
3. Reduces Ageing Sign
Olive oil helps reduce the aging sign. It does so by reducing the loss of dermis and collagen of the skin.
Secoiridoids which are subclasses of phenol in olive oil regulate several pathways that are involved in the aging process.
Additionally, olive oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids which are crucial for reducing aging sign.
Omega 3 fatty acids keep cell membranes strong and reduce collagen damage which helps keep the skin wrinkle-free.
Whereas monounsaturated fatty acids help reduce skin photo-aging.
4. Moisturizes Skin
Olive oil can be directly used onto the skin to moisturize the skin. It contains squalene which acts as a moisturizer.
Besides, the Vitamin E content of olive oil shows anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects that in turn helps to smooth the skin and increases the ability of the stratum corneum to maintain its humidity.
5. Can Heal Wounds
Due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of olive oil, it was found effective in wound healing of pressure ulcers in mice.
On the other hand, when olive oil was orally administrated for burn wounds of hospitalized patients, it effectively healed the burn wound.
Additionally, in an experiment, the oleic acid present in olive oil significantly closed the surgically induced skin wounds.
How to Use Olive Oil for Skin
Some of the uses of olive oil for skin are as follows:
1. Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
- Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Mix them well.
- Apply the mixture to the skin and massage for 4 – 5 minutes.
- Then leave the mixture on the skin for 30 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
- Do this for 3-4 weeks to get an effective result.
2. Olive Oil and Honey
- Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 egg yolk.
- Mix them well.
- Apply the mixture to the skin and massage for 4 – 5 minutes.
- Then leave the mixture on the skin for 30 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
- Do this for 3-4 weeks to get an effective result.
3. Olive Oil and Turmeric
- Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
- Mix them well.
- Apply the mixture to the skin and massage for 4 – 5 minutes.
- Then leave the mixture on the skin for 15 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
- Do this for 3-4 weeks to get an effective result.
4. Olive Oil and Vinegar
- Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of water.
- Mix them well.
- Apply the mixture to the skin and massage for 4 – 5 minutes.
- Then leave the mixture on the skin overnight and wash off with lukewarm water the next morning.
- Do this for 3-4 weeks to get an effective result.
Limitations of Olive Oil for Skin
Despite using olive oil for its various benefits for skin, it is recommended to take special precautions while using olive oil for treating xerosis (dry skin) and atopic dermatitis.
In some cases, it was observed that olive oil damaged the skin barrier, and worsen the existing atopic dermatitis when topically applied to the patients having atopic dermatitis or having a history of atopic dermatitis. [1, 2]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much olive oil should I use on my skin?
You need just a few drops of olive oil. Apply directly to your skin and massage for 4 – 5 minutes and leave for 30 minutes before washing off.
Can I use olive oil on my skin every day?
Yes, Olive oil is safe to use on your skin daily. Studies have used olive daily for the treatment of various skin conditions and at the end of every study, they observed positive results. [3, 4]
Is Olive oil suitable for sensitive skin?
Generally, olive oil is safer for all skin types. But it is recommended not to use olive oil on a person having sensitive skin.
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