There is a LOT to love about olives! They’ve been used for thousands of years for cooking, cleaning, healing, lighting, and more.
Known by its botanical name Olea europaea, the olive tree was cultivated and olive oil was used by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. The earliest production of olive oil is thought to have started before 4000 BC.
Olive oil is pressed from the Olive fruit. It’s prized for its emollient, moisturizing properties. (Emollients are what make your skin soft and smooth.)
How do we love thee?
Let us count the ways…
(Our sincere apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning for playing with the opening lines to her great poem on love.)
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. It contains vitamins A, D, K, and E, as well as squalane.
Used in skincare products, the antioxidant properties of olive oil protect skin cells from environmental damage and inflammation. This is a real boon for skin suffering with scarring and acne.
All of those vitamins decrease the effects of oxidative stress on your skin. Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body, and one of the causes of accelerated skin aging… So, say goodbye to wrinkles!
Olive oil’s main benefit to your skin is that it’s a great moisturizer. Olive oil hydrates and forms a protective barrier on your skin, thanks in part to the squalane it contains.
It’s the Squalane…
Squalane (with an “a“) is a plant-based version of squalene (with an “e”), which is naturally produced by your body. More specifically, Squalene is a lipid, or fat, made naturally by the sebaceous glands in your skin. It hydrates and maintains the barrier of your skin.
After the age of 30, the amount of squalene your body produces decreases. This is why you have drier skin as you age. The squalane in olive oil acts like the squalene produced by your body. It can benefit all skin types (including sensitive skin).
Because it works to naturally seal in moisture, squalane helps with problems where the skin barrier is disrupted and water loss is an issue. This includes conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. These conditions also benefit from olive oil’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive that!
Olive oil is like a superfood for your skin. It:
- Prevents premature aging
- Moisturizes and softens
- Reduces inflammation and scarring
- Softens fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduces oxidative stress
- Protects from environmental damage
Olive thee purely, to continue along the lines of Ms. Barret’s poem!
Where You Can Find It
We use olive oil in our Remarkably Clean Purifying Facial Cleanser and ReNew Exfoliating Face Mask and Scrub.
Like What You Just Read?
In case you were wondering, the following products were mentioned in this blog post!
Remarkably Clean Purifying Facial Cleanser
ReNew Exfoliating Face Mask Polishing Scrub
