Olive oil and Beauty Care
Olive oil as a cosmetic
From the age of Hippocrates, olive oil was already famous for its many therapeutic attributes, particularly in treatment of skin diseases. In fact, in the age of antiquity, when soap was not used for personal hygiene, people would anoint their hair and bodies with olive oil to clean them, scent them and soften them. They also rubbed olive oil on certain garments to make them shine.
Active components
Olive oil is rich in antioxidant substances, such as vitamin E and polyphenol, but also in chlorophyll (specifically virgin olive oil). Moreover, it also contains other important active components, such as high rates of vitamin K, but also trace elements, such as sodium and potassium, that are beneficial for the skin, as well as iron, which is very good for the hair.
Properties
Due to the increased antioxidant substances and chlorophyll that olive oil contains, it has greater resistance and stability in the light, compared to other types of oils. Therefore, if you spread some olive oil on your skin and hair, you will benefit from it; you will mainly protect them against dryness and improve their texture. Thanks to its antioxidant action of polyphenol and vitamin E, the skin is protected against premature ageing, since destructive free radicals are “combated”. In order for olive oil to preserve its dietary value, which is most significant above all for health reasons, (e.g. it ha has antioxidant action in body cells, while the monounsaturated fatty acids which it contains in large quantity help to reduce "bad" cholesterol and increase the "good" cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiac disease etc), it is best consumed raw on salads and other foods.
Recipes with olive oil
Olive oil to nurture hair
Mix 50 ml olive oil with 50 ml bay oil. Comb it through your hair before washing it (if your roots are very greasy, place it on the tips of the hair only), wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave the oil on for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair. You can use this mask once a week during periods when you feel your hair needs nurturing and invigoration.
Oil for chapped hands and dryness of the skin
Olive oil can be used on any parts of the body which are affected by dry and chapped skin. It is best to use the oil at night, before going to bed. Mix 50ml olive oil with 50 ml calendula oil, and add 10 drops of geranium oil, 10 drops of lavender oil and 10 drops of rosewood oil .
For chapped lips
Moisturize your lips at night with a little olive oil.
Olive oil to strengthen eyelashes and to remove makeup
Mix equal quantities of almond oil and olive oil and prepare a mixture of oils for an excellent way to remove makeup and to strengthen your eyelashes. You will be excited to see how gently and well it cleanses!
For the areas around the eyes
When you are out of eye cream, you can place some olive oil on cotton wool and dab the area around the eyes where wrinkles form (laughter lines).
Tip!
The Olive oil that is to be used in recipes for skin care must be organic, so that it is absolutely free of chemical and other possible irritants.
Source: http://www.vita.gr