Olive Oil: It’s Not Just for Your Kitchen Anymore
Did you know that the very same olive oil that’s probably in your kitchen pantry right now is also a perfect staple for your skincare pantry? That’s because the characteristics of olive oil that make it part of a healthy diet make it just as healthy for your skin.
Olives are particularly rich in polyphenols, which are chemical compounds that occur naturally in wine, tea, cocoa, and in many vegetables and fruits. Several studies have concluded that foods rich in polyphenols are good for you, acting as antioxidants that reduce and prevent cell damage and as anti-inflammatories that help lower the risk of many chronic diseases. Polyphenols do similar work when applied to skin, helping to allay irritation caused by conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
Like other vegetable oils, olive oil is packed full of fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, which strengthens, smooths, repairs, and hydrates skin. And, of course, olive oil contains its share of skin-loving vitamins, including vitamins A, D, K, and E.
Olives contain all of these healthy ingredients in abundance, but they can be lost during the pressing and handling process if not treated gently. By not heating the olives during the pressing, all the important health-giving properties are retained as much as possible. That’s why we use only extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil in our soaps.
Olive oil is also one of the best oils for making soap because it contributes softness and gentleness to the soap. Pure olive oil soap is mild enough to use on very sensitive skin and babies. When you combine olive oil with other pure oils, like castor and coconut, the resulting soap is mild, soothing, and full of lather.
