Olive oil containers.
The benefits of using olive oil for the skin have been known for millennia. There is evidence that olive oil was first pressed some 5,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region and has been used ever since for its many healthful properties. Applied topically and internally, olive oil benefits the body’s largest organ, the skin. For topical skin care, it is primarily used to soften, cleanse, and heal the skin. Rich in antioxidants, this monounsaturated fat hydrates and protects skin from free radical damage and is believed to reduce the formation and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
A bar of oil-based soap.
While it is sometimes used on its own for skin care, olive oil for skin care is more often used as a beneficial ingredient in a wide variety of skin care products. Healing soaps, lotions, and ointments often contain olive oil. With the growing interest in natural products, olive oil skin treatments are becoming more numerous and varied. Olive oil skin care products range from cleansing creams to moisturizing massage oils. Many of these products also contain herbs and essential oils that are believed to be beneficial for the skin.
People with dry skin benefit from the moisturizing properties of olive oil.
Fats and oils are essential for maintaining skin and nerve health and providing a source of energy. Adding olive oil to your diet offers many benefits, including smooth skin, healthy blood vessels, and the prevention of some types of cancer. Both the antioxidants, including vitamin E, and the monounsaturated fats it contains are thought to enhance the benefits of olive oil for the skin. These are the same components that improve skin when applied topically. Many home cooking and skin care products contain olive oil as the main ingredient.
A laboratory study in mice concluded that the application of olive oil after exposure to ultraviolet light significantly reduced the formation of skin cancer in mice. While pre-exposure application has some effect, the greatest benefits were achieved by applying olive oil post-exposure. The researchers believe that the antioxidants in the oil prevented oxidative damage to the DNA of skin cells. Using olive oil for the skin can help prevent skin cancer caused by excessive sun exposure.
Another study compared the use of a water-based emollient, an olive oil cream, or nothing at all for premature babies. The study found that babies treated with the olive oil cream had less dermatitis than babies treated with the water-based emollient or those who received no treatment. One of the oldest and most common uses of this oil is on dry skin. From babies to people with signs of premature aging, olive oil has been shown to hydrate, protect and help maintain healthy skin.