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We’ve all heard that olive oil is better for our health. But did you know that it’s been used for skin and hair care since ancient times? It turns out that olive oil can boost your natural beauty from the inside out! Whether applied topically or consumed in the diet, olive oil has numerous beauty benefits.
The Benefits of Olive Oil for the Hair
Let’s start by talking about all of the ways olive oil can boost the health of your hair. If you’re dealing with overprocessed, dry, damaged, or frizzy hair, incorporating olive oil into your routine is a great way to overcome those issues naturally.
Smooths and Moisturizes the Hair
Many oils, like mineral oil, can’t penetrate the hair shaft, so they simply sit on the surface of the hair without really providing many benefits. But the monosaturated fatty acids found in olive oil can actually penetrate the hair and help it retain moisture.
Olive oil doesn’t add moisture on its own, but when used in conjunction with natural humectants like honey, it helps to smooth, seal, and lubricate the hair cuticle. This combination improves the health of the hair from the inside out, making damaged strands softer and smoother.
Simply apply a small amount of olive oil to your palms and apply it from the middle of the shaft down to the ends of your hair. Let it sit on the hair for 20 minutes, and then finish off your routine with Gisou’s honey shampoo for hair to reap the natural benefits of both ingredients.
May Promote Hair Growth
While there’s no miracle treatment that promotes hair growth, olive oil does contain oleuropein. This bioactive compound may upregulate the genetic pathways that trigger hair growth. It’s definitely worth giving it a try if you’re trying to promote hair growth and thickness.
Try massaging olive oil into your scalp for several minutes each day. Follow up with your regular shampoo and conditioner. Keep in mind that it could take up to six months to see results.
Treats Split Ends
Olive oil is a fantastic treatment for split ends. It smooths the ends of the hair, making split ends less noticeable. It can also help to make the ends of your hair more elastic and less prone to breakage, which may help to prevent additional split ends in the future.
Simply massage a few drops of olive oil into the ends of your hair. Leave it on the hair for at least 20 minutes or pin your hair up and leave it on overnight. Shampoo and condition as usual.
The Benefits of Using Olive Oil Topically on the Skin
Olive oil is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, which make it a great choice for topical skin health. Here are some ways to incorporate it into your routine.
Makeup Remover
When applied topically, olive oil breaks down makeup and dirt on the face, which makes it a wonderful makeup remover to use before cleansing. Simply add a few drops to the palms of your hands and massage them into your dry skin with gentle, circular motions starting at the center of the face. Wipe away the residue and wash your face with a face wash formulated for your skin type.
Moisturizer and Skin Softener
Applying olive oil to the skin is a great way to lock in moisture and prevent moisture loss. Simply add a drop or two to your regular moisturizer any time your face is feeling especially dry. It also has emollient properties, making it a great choice for treating rough, cracked skin on the knees, elbows, and bottoms of the feet.
The Benefits of Eating Olive Oil for Skin Health
Oxidative stress is a major contributor to premature aging. It causes damage at the cellular level and increases your risk for disease. Oxidative stress also accelerates collagen breakdown, leaving your skin more prone to sagging and wrinkles.
Exposure to pollution, sun, sun and chronic stress can all increase oxidative stress in the body. But the good news is, extra-virgin olive oil contains antioxidant compounds like squalene, polyphenols, and vitamin E. Antioxidants help to combat free radicals, which are the drivers of oxidative stress and premature aging.
Consuming olive oil may also speed wound healing and reduce inflammation, which means it could also be beneficial for conditions like acne and rosacea. Since olive oil is a healthy fat, it can also help to keep the skin hydrated and supple from the inside out.
And finally, olive oil improves the body’s ability to absorb phytochemicals from our food. In particular, it improves the absorption of beta carotene and lycopene, which are found in colorful vegetables. These compounds can provide natural protection against UV damage.
Wrapping Up
Olive oil has some amazing benefits for the skin and hair, whether applied topically or consumed in the diet. It makes a fantastic carrier oil to use in conjunction with other skin and hair-loving ingredients, like honey, jojoba oil, and argan oil. Try it as a weekly treatment or incorporate it into your daily routine.
See Also: 5 best face wash for oily skin