Olive oil is a pale golden oil obtained from the olive (Olea europaea), a tree crop that originated in the Mediterranean basin. Olive oil is made from pressing and crushing olives. Extra virgin olive oil is derived from the first pressing of the olives and has the most delicate flavor and the highest antioxidant concentrations. For more than 5,000 years olive oil has been used in cooking, cosmetics, medicine, soaps and as a fuel for oil lamps. As a cosmetic, olive oil has long been used to cleanse, heal, and moisturize the skin.
Properties of Olive Oil
In his many writings, Homer referred to olive oil as liquid gold. In ancient Greece, athletes were known to rub olive oil all over their bodies. As a sacred preservative drops of olive oil were drizzled into burial tombs. The olive tree symbolizes wealth, power and abundance. Leaves from the olive tree have often been used as crowns, and branches from the olive tree have long been used in religious ceremonies to signify purification.
The oil extracted from olives is primarily composed of triglyceride esters of oleic and palmitic acids along with traces of other fatty acids, Vitamin E tocopherols, plant sterols, and squalene. Olive oil also contains an abundance of other natural phytochemicals (including esters of tyrosol such as oleocanthal and oleuropein) with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These are the reasons olive oil offers benefits for cardiovascular health when used internally and for the body's largest organ, the skin, when used externally.
Cosmetic Benefits of Olive Oil
Combined with an equal amount of sea salt or sugar, olive oil is a gentle yet effective exfoliating agent. As a moisturizer, olive oil penetrates dry parched skin and promotes healing. Olive oil also benefits sensitive or combination skin and is known to normalize oily skin. It’s also used to even out blotchy or reddened skin and repair damage caused by pollution, ultraviolet radiation and post-acne scarring. The natural cosmetic line DHC reports that their pure olive oil cleanser is their most popular product worldwide. It gently removes cosmetics and cellular debris and rinses off without leaving residue.
Olive oil is often blended with herbs and floral essences and used as an ingredient in spa treatments. Used in facials and wraps, olive oil nourishes the skin with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. A few popular spas offering olive oil spa treatments include:
MacArthur Garden Spa and Inn, Sonoma CA
The Garden Spa at the historic MacArthur outside San Francisco celebrates the olive and its beloved oil in a combination 100-minute therapy called Season of the Olive. This special includes a revitalizing Sonoma Olive Body Polish, followed by a soothing Peppermint Bath and a luxurious Olive Oil Massage.
The Sonoma Olive Oil Body Polish is also available as a separate therapy used to invigorate, nourish and exfoliate the skin.
Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door and Spa, New York
A highlight of any trip to Elizabeth Arden’s is their Olive-Oil Pedicure. This therapy includes a sugar scrub for the feet and a brisk massage with olive oil that leaves the feet soft and silky.
Rosaline’s Skin Care and Spa, Brookline, MA
Perfectionists in the world of skin care, the skin therapists at Rosaline’s Spa rely on natural and organic ingredients to rev up the skin. They also know that soft, youthful hands are the best-kept secret in the beauty business. Olive oil is the basis of their Anti-Aging Hand Treatment. This procedure, which leaves the hands noticeably younger, uses a scrub made of olive oil, milk, and cinnamon powder.
Olive Oil for Home-Based Therapies
Home olive oil based therapies abound. As mentioned, olive oil can be used as a skin cleanser. It can also be used as a pre-shampoo treatment that makes the hair soft and shiny.
Olive oil can be mixed with crushed almonds, sugar or sea salt to exfoliate the skin. Mixed with equal amounts of honey, buttermilk and crushed almonds, olive oil makes a fantastic mask that leaves the skin glowing.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
Join the Conversation