All About Oils: Olive Oil Spotlight

I am back with week five of my All About Oils spotlight series, and given the gap week, I thought it only appropriate to discuss one of my favorite oils: Olive Oil. I am willing to bet most (if not all) of you have this handy dandy oil sitting in your pantry, as you should! Olive oil is a great (and delicious) source of healthy fat, and works to spice up a variety of cold and hot dishes in the kitchen. But did you know that olive oil is also incredibly beneficial for your skin? Read on to find out more!

The Many Benefits of Olive Oil

Nourish Deeply - Unlike many other oils, olive oil is very capable of penetrating your skin, meaning you get true, deep nourishment. Because of this ability, olive oil's moisturizing capabilities go the extra mile. You can expect to see noticeable benefits such as: hydrated skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and a softer complexion.

Fight Oil with Oil - If you have oily skin, you will definitely want to investigate olive oil as an option. Supplying your skin with this healthy oil option ensures that your skin is nourished enough, meaning your skin will not feel the need to create more. Remember, you want to go easy applying any oil to your face, and olive oil is no different. You will not need much of this oil to get the desired results, so do not over do it!

Kiss Dandruff Goodbye - If you have never experienced dandruff, lucky you! For those of us who have experienced it, it can be a rather pesky predicament, especially if it causes your scalp to itch. Massaging your scalp with olive oil before showering (and using a gentle, sulfate free shampoo) can do wonders for getting rid of dandruff, and keeping it at bay.

Hair Shine Serum - If you ever catch yourself out of your favorite argan oil hair serum, don't fret! Olive oil is another great product for adding softness and shine to hair. I will say, however, that it does feel a bit heavier than argan oil on the hair, so less is more in this case.

Replace Your Shave Cream - I know so many people who react poorly to the ingredients in shave cream. There really aren't very many natural alternatives for shaving cream in the shaving aisle, but you might just have a fantastic solution in your kitchen! Smooth olive oil over your skin, hop in the shower, and enjoy; it's that easy. I really could not find any downsides to this method. First, it is about as natural as it can get in terms of ingredients, and second, it left my skin feeling extra soft after shaving. Note: I have not tested this method on my husband, so I cannot attest to it as an alternative for shaving cream when it comes to thick facial hair.

Remove Makeup With Ease - I am very pro-waterproof mascara in the summertime, so makeup removal is not always easy. Adding olive oil to a cotton pad makes makeup removal a breeze. Be sure to follow up your makeup removal by cleansing twice to ensure a deep clean.

Sensitive Skin? No Problem! - If you suffer with sensitive skin, you probably know how difficult it can be to find skin care products. While I always recommend doing a patch test beforehand (yes, even with ultra gentle olive oil), I have seen wonderful success with sensitive skin clients using olive oil as a moisturizer.

Make Your Skin Glow From the Inside, Out - As I mentioned before, olive oil is high in healthy fats, Omega's being one of them! Incorporating a healthy amount of olive oil into your diet is a great way to nourish your skin, and your body, from the inside out.

Pro Tip - Make sure you are using only high quality olive oil on your skin! Purchase only extra virgin olive oil, and do your research on reputable brands!

What is your favorite way to use olive oil?