Olive oil is a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional oils and fats, making it the number one choice for chefs and avid cooks alike looking to add a healthy spin to their favorite dishes. But while you may already know that olive oil boasts a high nutritional value, did you know that it also works wonders in repairing and conditioning your skin, too? For thousands of years, people have relished in the health and beauty benefits offered by olives. In fact, olive oil was once deemed “liquid gold” by Homer — a title which this substance hasn’t failed to live up to into the modern day. We're betting you have a bottle of this trusted liquid sitting somewhere on your kitchen counter. Now, it's time to find out how else you can put your olive oil to work. Here's a look at a few olive oil benefits for skin and your health. Fight Off UV Rays There's nothing quite like the feeling of basking in the sun on a mid-summer day. If this is your guilty pleasure, maybe you won't have to feel so mortified at the idea of tanning after all. You know that taking in the sun can be bad for your skin — but fortunately, olive oil can provide you with the protection you need to keep out those pesky UV rays. In a research study examining the effects of topically applied olive oil on mice, the oil acted as a shield against cancer-producing cells. Consuming olive oil may also prevent the formation of malignant melanoma — also known as skin cancer — too. Ease Discomfort and Irritation Skin irritation comes in many forms and often doesn’t discriminate based on gender, ethnicity or age. Whether you have a child suffering from diaper-rash or have a case of itchy eczema you’re attempting to relieve, skin discomforts can be a pain. Fortunately, olive oil works wonders at stopping itching and irritation in its tracks. Your skin is full of natural oils that help keep discomfort at bay when naturally produced. However, minor annoyances and cracking anywhere on your body may warrant a bit of help from a natural oil alternative instead. Use olive oil as a moisturizer whenever you want to keep your skin in harmony or feel fresh and radiant. A little dab of this oil may be all it takes to replace dry or itchy patches with smooth and irritation-free skin. Prevent Breakouts and Scaring We've all experienced an unwanted breakout when we least expected it. Maybe you have an upcoming presentation or are planning for a date this Friday. Or perhaps you merely want your skin to look healthy and glowing for no real reason — because nobody needs to have a purpose for disliking breakouts, after all. But before you reach into your medicine drawer and decide to break out those harsh ointments and creams, you may want to head down to your kitchen instead. Research studies show that olive oil can effectively reduce acne by decreasing bacteria on the skin while simultaneously producing moisturizing benefits, too. Plus, one of the many olive oil benefits for skin is that olive oil can act as a natural alternative to traditional makeup wipes. This means it can actually remove dirt and bacteria from your face and leave behind only a lustrous glow. If you have old acne scars, use olive oil produces benefits for your skin that will reduce the appearance of these marks while preventing future breakouts, too. Combat Aging Have you ever accidentally gotten a drop of olive oil on your hands or another area of your skin and attempted to rub it off? If so, you may have noticed that the oil quickly absorbed into your skin — leaving behind an appealing glow instead. If you’ve ever experienced first-hand the beauty effects of topically applied olive oil, your eyes weren’t playing a trick on you. This substance is rich in vitamin E, polyphenols and antioxidants — all of which help reverse the appearance of aging and damage to the skin. If you’re worried that you’ll experience an oily face when applying olive oil topically, try ingesting this substance to get similar effects. Who knew that the fountain of youth might have actually just been a bottle of olive oil instead? Everybody has their own secret when it comes to maintaining healthy, radiating and youthful looking skin — and we're betting oil olive will soon be yours. Olive Oil Benefits for Skin The next time you experience discomfort, scaring or any other issue on your skin, consider the many olive oil benefits for skin. You may just find that your bottle of "liquid gold" will do the trick.
Almost everyone looks forward to the first snowfall of the year. It’s exciting to wake up to a winter wonderland, especially when it’s enough snow to go sledding or get the day off of school. At the same time, you trade warm weather for freezing temperatures, which can affect your skin. Have you ever noticed that when winter arrives, your skin starts itching? It may turn red and dry, which isn’t uncommon. Dry winter weather can cause epidermal irritations that stick around long into the spring. You don’t have to spend this year with uncomfortable, inflamed skin. Read about how to take care of that dry skin in the winter so you can enjoy the holidays and outdoor activities with the rest of your friends and family. 1. Buy a Humidifier Cold air naturally doesn’t hold onto moisture like warm air. That’s why people closer to the equator experience more humidity than those in northern climates. Your skin could become irritated because the air is dry, so buy a humidifier for your house. A humidifier will replace lost moisture in your home to soothe your skin. As it naturally moisturizes, it will reduce your natural oil production so you don’t have to deal with an oily shine in addition to dry skin. 2. Switch Your Soaps Think about what soap you use to wash your hands. Is it meant as hand soap or is it something stronger, like dish soap? Some soaps contain ingredients made for stripping dishes of dried grease and oil. They’ll do the same to your hands because they dry out the encrusted food so it’s easy to scrub off. Switch your soaps to products labeled as moisturizing or gentle on sensitive skin. You should feel an immediate difference the next time you wash your hands. Even if you work in a position that requires constant handwashing, the right soap could make all the difference. 3. Avoid Alcohol Products Some of your skincare products could make your dryness issues worse in the winter. Alcohol is a common ingredient in those kinds of products because the type based in fat can be nourishing. Others like isopropyl and denatured alcohol dehydrate multiple layers of skin, especially in toners. Look for alcohol-free products to see if your dry, irritated skin goes away. If you can’t find any, do your research to ensure that the ingredients are all skincare safe. 4. Use Eczema Cream Your dry skin may be an underlying condition known as eczema. It typically presents itself with red rashes in various spots on the body. These spots may itch or burn, especially after washing your hands or showering. The solution to your seasonal dry skin issues could be the active ingredient in eczema cream, which is known as hydrocortisone. It’s an anti-inflammatory, mild steroid that’s available over the counter. Look for this ingredient in soothing lotions and use it after you wash your hands for immediate relief. 5. Limit Your Shower Time You may enjoy a hot relaxing shower, but it could leave you with drier skin than you had before you turned on the water. That’s because hot water dries out your skin, especially if you expose your body to it for extended periods. Limit your shower time to no longer than ten minutes if you want to use hot water or set the water to a lukewarm temperature and take your time. Learn How to Take Care of Dry Skin in Winter It’s hard to immediately know the right solution for your dry skin by reading about possible solutions. Explore all your options by trying them out individually. You may find that a humidifier solves the problem or an eczema lotion. Take your time and you’ll find the best way to cure your dry skin and enjoy a warm, comfortable winter. Updated on May 3, 2024
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