Contents
The benefits of olive oil
Olive oil was actively used in ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. The Greeks called it “liquid gold”.
Olive oil softens dry skin, saturates it with vitamins, there is especially a lot of vitamin E in this oil. This prevents skin aging, and wrinkles are reduced.
Olive oil has a regenerating effect. It contains the substance oleocanthal, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
When used internally, olive oil can heal the human body. Due to the high concentration of acids, trace elements and antioxidants, it affects cholesterol levels and is good for digestion. Olive oil is a dietary product due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, and can reduce the feeling of hunger.
| The content of substances in olive oil | % |
|---|---|
| Oleinovaya Chisloth | Until 83 |
| linoleic acid | Until 15 |
| Palmitic acid | Until 14 |
| Stearic acid | Until 5 |
Harm of olive oil
Like any product, olive oil can cause an allergic reaction. It is recommended to carry out a test before applying the oil: apply a drop on the wrist or bend of the elbow and observe the condition of the skin. If redness and itching do not appear within half an hour, then the remedy can be safely used.
It is not recommended to apply pure olive oil if the skin is very oily. It is better to add a little oil to the composition of masks for oily skin.
An absolute contraindication for the use of oil as a cream around the eyes and on the eyelashes are inflammatory eye diseases. Olive oil can aggravate the course of the disease.
It is also worth remembering that olive oil accelerates hair growth. Therefore, it should be used more carefully by women prone to increased vegetation on the skin of the face – for example, above the upper lip.
For oily skin, use oil very carefully, as it is more suitable for dry skin care.
How to choose olive oil
Before buying, you need to pay attention to the packaging. The expiration date indicated on the label should not exceed 18 months – “over-aged” oil loses some of its useful properties.
The highest quality oil with minimal processing, the first cold pressing, which is indicated on the packaging by the inscription “Extra Virgin”. Unrefined oil has a pronounced smell, and sedimentation is possible at the bottom.
One of the main indicators of the quality of olive oil is its acidity. The acidity level is the concentration of oleic acid in 100 g of the product. The lower the acidity of unrefined olive oil, the higher its quality. Good oil has an acidity of no more than 0,8%.
The main producing countries: Spain, Italy, Greece.
Olive oil should be stored in a dark place at temperatures up to 15 degrees. Do not put a bottle in the refrigerator.
The use of olive oil
This product is widely used in cooking, cosmetology.
In cosmetology, olive oil is used in the manufacture of soaps, cosmetics, as well as in its pure form as a massage agent, cream, masks.
The oil perfectly protects the skin of the lips and is used for dryness of the nasal mucosa.
Olive oil promotes skin regeneration, therefore it is used to reduce stretch marks on problem areas. Regular rubbing oil into these areas can prevent the appearance of stretch marks during active skin changes (during pregnancy, sudden weight gains). Also, the property of the oil to reduce pain, allows you to use it for massage after training to reduce muscle pain.
Due to the high level of oleic acid, olive oil contributes to the normalization of lipid metabolism in the skin. It is useful for the prevention of cellulite, as well as increased dryness of the skin.
Olive oil protects the skin from the effects of aggressive environmental factors – cold, wind, dry air. In the cold season, it can be used as a protective lip balm and cream for flaky skin.
Olive oil is used as a make-up remover and care for delicate areas of the face – the area around the eyes. Regular, gentle massage with warm oil, followed by removing excess with a napkin after half an hour, reduces mimic wrinkles.
Also useful are masks of warm oil on the nails, rubbing it into the roots of the hair for 10 minutes and lubricating the tips before washing the head. It reduces dryness and brittleness of the hair, softens the cuticle of the nails.
Can it be used instead of cream
Despite the fact that the oil is quite oily, it is well absorbed, does not cause irritation and does not clog pores. Therefore, it can be used as a cream in its pure form or enrich your favorite cosmetics. Excess oil can be removed with a paper towel. It can be applied to any problem areas of the skin: face, hands, feet, body.
Do not abuse the use of oil several times a day for weeks. This can backfire and lead to excess oiliness of the skin.
Reviews and recommendations of cosmetologists
– Olive oil is especially suitable as an after-sun remedy. The substances contained in the composition of olive oil restore the natural fatty film of dry skin, accelerate its regeneration, relieve pain in damaged areas, saturate it with vitamins and fatty acids. This avoids dehydration, loss of elasticity and premature aging of the skin. Be careful to use this oil on oily skin, as it is more suitable for dry skin care. Natalia Akulova, cosmetologist-dermatologist.