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Although the health benefits of eating olive oil are well studied and known, not everyone knows the effects of olive oil for body care. Multiple studies show that olive oil— olive juice which is extracted from olive fruits—may improve body skin barrier function and repair, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, fights the signs of skin aging and makes an effective body moisturizer or stretch mark healer.
It is impossible to talk about superb health regimens without olive oil. Once a significant part of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is now popular globally and for good reasons. Olive oil contains plenty of anti-inflammatory polyphenols and antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and minerals like sodium and potassium, making it a good cooking oil, dipping oil, moisturizer, cleanser, etc.
For decades, scientists have tried to find why people from the Mediterranean region age slowly and remain healthy throughout their lives. The answer seems to be in their diet and lifestyle, which olive oil is a significant part of. Here’s a look at how to use olive oil for body care.
Which is the Best Olive Oil for Body Care?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is considered to be the healthiest type and most beneficial oils for body care and daily use. It’s extracted from olive fruits using natural methods and standardized for purity and certain sensory qualities like taste and smell. Extra virgin olive oil has a distinct taste and is rich in polyphenols antioxidants, which is the main reason why it’s so beneficial.
Nevertheless, when choosing olive oil for body care and other purposes, it is essential to pick from olive oil brands to trust, inspect the label carefully and buy from a reputable seller. One of the most common and best olive oil in the world is Kalamata extra virgin olive oil.
One of the most reliable olive oil brands is Oliviada, run by a local Greek family that produces 100% natural unfiltered unblended Kalamata extra virgin olive oil.
Olive Oil for Body Skin
You can incorporate olive oil into your favorite beauty routine. And according to scietific researches, olive oil is loaded with antioxidants that protect the skin from UV damage and combat free radicals that otherwise cause wrinkles. It’s even rumored that Cleopatra, the world’s foremost influencer used olive oil in her skincare routines too.
You can also use the oil as a moisturizer and skin protector. For instance, in one study, researchers discovered that when olive oil is applied to the skin of mice exposed to UV rays, it helps combat cancer-causing cells.
So let’s look into top DIY olive oil tips for beautiful body skin:
- If you feel dry patches on your skin, using olive oil on the patches or all over your skin for the save.
- You can apply it pure or mixed with other ingredients. Just apply the oil directly onto the skin and bloat off the excess with a cloth or towel.
- For extremely dry patches, combining olive oil, lemon juice, and sugar is an excellent DIY skincare routine to exfoliate and get that summer skin.
- You can also use olive oil as shaving cream or oil for your cuticles. The oil will moisturize dry cuticles and restore them to good health.
- However, if your skin is acne-prone, don’t use olive oil; it can clog pores. Also, don’t use olive oil as a sunscreen replacement.
Olive Oil as Body Cleanser
Olive oil can also be used to remove makeup from the eye or clean your skin. The antioxidants in the oil will soothe and heal your skin, keeping stubborn breakouts at bay while lifting excess sebum away, removing dead skin, and unclogging pores.
Above all, using olive oil as a skin cleanser instead of traditional detergents and soaps protects the skin’s natural lipid layer and preserves good bacteria.
Here are DIY olive oil body and face cleansing steps:
- Mix extra virgin olive oil and castor oil in a 1:1 ratio for normal skin, a 1:3 ratio for acne-prone skin, and a 3:1 ratio for drier skin.
- Rub the oil in your dry face, gently massaging it using your fingertips for about a minute
- Wet a towel with hot water (not scalding) and use it to steam your face
- Rinse and wring your towel and use it to wipe off excess oil
- After the cleanse, gently wash your face to remove excess oil residue
Olive Oil for Muscle Pain
You can use olive oil as a post-workout massage oil to suppress pain and accelerate tissue healing. Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and versatile notes and flavor profiles that promote healing and calm nerves after strenuous physical activity.
Olive oil for body massage helps relieve pressure and tension after a long day. It also reduces cellulite on your upper region, hips, and thighs.
Here are tips for excellent olive oil body massage:
- Massage oil on your neck, shoulders, and back to relieve stiffness
- To get rid of cellulite, mix olive oil with ground coffee, massage it into your skin, allow it half an hour to soak in, and then wash it off with tepid warm water.
- You can also take a warm bath and massage cellulite-affected areas using a stiff brush before the olive oil massage.
- Massage regularly for maximum benefits.
You can take it raw. Research shows that 3 tablespoons of olive oil are roughly equal to 10 percent ibuprofen dosage for a single person.
Olive Oil for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a common frustration among women. They are mostly caused by pregnancy or sudden body weight changes, causing the skin to stretch or shrink quickly. The abrupt stretching or shrinking of the skin causes collagen to rapture, and later, as the skin heals, stretch marks show up. Massaging olive oil into affected areas may reduce stretch marks.
How to use olive oil for stretch marks?
- Simply massage slightly warm extra virgin olive oil on the affected areas and let it stay for 30 minutes.
- Wash it off with water thereafter.
Olive Oil for Building Muscles
Olive oil’s rich nutritional profile makes it essential for building muscles. The antioxidants in the oil protect tissues from damage by free radicals, thus slowing down aging and wrinkling. The monounsaturated fats stimulate protein production and synthesis for muscle growth. It’s also rich in calories making it a good source of energy.
Tips for building muscles using olive oil:
- Add olive oil to your diet; you can use it in your baking, frying, or sautéing activities. You can also use it as dressing for your salads or a dipping oil for your chunks of bread.
- You can also take raw olive oil—one or two spoons in the morning and early afternoon to gain energy and support muscles.
- You can also rub store-bought or DIY olive oil lotion directly onto the areas you want to develop muscle. Doing this regularly will help develop these areas.
- DIY Olive oil body lotion examples when building muscles include mixing 20g EVOO and 20g Ricebran oil in 140g of water and adding 15g beeswax and 10g borax. You can also use raw shea butter in place of the Ricebran oil.
Generic FAQs:
Does olive oil increase fat, or does olive oil burn fat?
The question of whether olive oil increases fats or burns fats is controversial. The fact is that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat more than saturated fats. Monounsaturated fats reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in your body and are useful in weight loss and keeping heart diseases at bay. Massaging olive oil in cellulite-affected areas reduces fat deposits.
However, use caution; olive oil is still rich in calories, and if taken in excess amounts, it may cause weight gain. If you are using olive oil to gain muscles, match the amount to the intensity of your workouts.
Is olive oil for body is better than lotion?
Both products olive oil and body lotion are great for moisturizing your skin. Your body skin naturally produces oils, but those can be lost via cleansing, and production can also slow down as you age. Olive oil can fill in, providing your body’s skin with nourishment that it might have lost. For instance, lotions are usually a mix of oils and water, making them the best of both worlds for skin that’s in need of moisture and hydration.
When to apply olive oil for body skin?
To reveal your smooth, beautifully glowing skin, use olive oil for body care daily. Smooth a small amount on damp skin after showering or bathing to seal in moisture. Let your body air dry or pat your skin gently with a towel.
Wrapping up
You can incorporate olive oil in your body care routine for various health benefits. Olive oil is versatile. It has a rich nutritional and flavor profile making it suitable when used outside and inside your body. You can cook with it, ingest it row or use it as a cleanser, massage oil, and moisturizer. Use the above-mentioned tips to make the most of your extra virgin olive oil.
If you have oily or highly sensitive skin, make sure to start slowly to assess your tolerance, and consult with a dermatologist or doctor if you have any concerns.
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Hi, I’m Vangelis Kleftogiannis, the founder of Oliviada and an established olive oil expert from Kalamata, Greece. My expertise isn’t just in producing quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but also in the cultivation and care of olive trees themselves. I am deeply committed to sharing my knowledge and know-how, helping others understand the intricacies of olive tree growing and the creation of quality olive oil.
