Homer described olive oil as ‘liquid gold’ but fortunately, we do not have to fight wars over olive oil anymore as it is abundantly produced in many parts of the world, including New Zealand. It is well known that olive oil is one of the healthiest vegetable oils, along with coconut oil.
Not only can you consume this nutritious food and receive numerous benefits, you can also use it to boost the nutrient value of your skin products, which is why we use it as the main carrier oil in all of our products.
1. Unclogs Pores.
Unlike commercial moisturizers that can clog pores and exacerbate skin conditions, olive oil penetrates deeply into the skin while providing a cleansing effect.
2. Enhances Exfoliation
Another one of olive oil’s benefits for skin is its usefulness in exfoliating applications. A common exfoliating method using olive oil is to mix 1 tablespoon of the oil with finely ground natural sea salt or pink Himilayan salt, rubbing this mixture over the skin.
The mild abrasive qualities of the salt, combined with the deep, penetrating action of the oil, will remove dead skin cells and leave the epidermis looking renewed and glowing.
3. General Beauty Booster.
Olive oil is also used for nail and cuticle care, and many women use it as an eye makeup remover. Further applications include using it as an ingredient in homemade facial masks.
One other interesting application for both men and women is the substitution of olive oil for shaving cream. Many men have abandoned shaving cream once they discovered how close a shave they can get with olive oil.
4. Antioxidant Protection
Olive oil contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols. When topically applied, antioxidants may help protect the skin from premature skin aging which of course means fewer wrinkles!
Vitamin E partly accounts for the anti-aging benefits of olive oil because it helps restore skin smoothness and protects against ultraviolet light. Hydroxytyrosol, a rather rare compound found in olive oil, also prevents free radical damage to the skin.
5. Speeds up Wound and Burn Healing
Olive oil is loaded with vitamins, both A and E, and essential fatty acids involved in skin cell regeneration. In addition, olive oil supplies essential nutrients to the injured skin that discourages harmful organisms from infecting the wound.
Although olive oil aids skin recovery when applied to wounds like burns, eating olive oil or foods containing olive oil, also improves wound healing time by reducing inflammation and by healing the body from the inside out.
Fresh is Best!
The benefits of the ‘liquid gold’ component of our extract, is clearly evident from the above information. Simply put, it is ‘skin food’ packed with nutrients, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant components that not only restore compromised skin but also maintain skin at optimal health levels. In order to achieve this, we are very careful to use fresh olive oil from the current season’s pressing in order to harness its benefits, in the most potent form.
When consuming olive oil, fresh and organic is best; also ensure that you store it in a stainless steel or dark glass container, away from sunlight. Scientific studies show that people eating two tablespoons of virgin organic olive oil daily for one week show less oxidation of LDLs and higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.
