Olive oil – for healing, and more
IT’S cheap, readily available, and like many other oils promoted for healing, olive oil is a wonder oil. Used as far back as Bible days, and still used currently for anointing and healing, this yellow oil, a liquid fat obtained from olives, produced by pressing whole olives and extracting the oil, is a must-have in your medicine cabinet.
Rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, aesthetician Nicola Meredith said its healing properties can help anything from hyperpigmentation to scarring, and it can be used for the whole family — from the newborn to the senior citizen.
“Olive oil has been extensively studied — consuming it has been shown to help you live longer, lower cardiovascular disease risk, lower the risk of premature death and protect against inflammation, heart disease, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes,” Meredith said.
She said while oilve oil is known for being used extensively in the kitchen, it can also be used in your skin care routine, for removing make-up, moisturising the skin, and nourishing it.
“Olive oil contains antioxidants that fight ageing, sun damage and adds elasticity,” she added. “You can use it for hot oil treatments, to shape and plump your eyebrows, and to remove lashes,” she said. “It can also be used to remove hair glue.”
She added: “Cleopatra used it back in the day, and even today it’s a go-to for some of your celebrity faves like Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Lopez, who have admitted to using it topically.
“The main thing is that because it’s so dense, it moisturises the skin by preventing or minimising water loss. What this does is then allow the skin to be more supple and youthful, and you’ll definitely glow.”
She warned, however, that it may not be ideal for some skin types, specifically because of this dense quality.
“Those with acne-prone skin, or those with an outbreak should avoid this oil because of its high fat quality,” she said.
How to use it
As a moisturiser: Apply before bed or underneath your make-up at the start of the day. You can use it before your moisturiser and sunscreen. Use it when your skin is slightly wet from your bath.
Don’t use too much: As with everything else, use in moderation. Apply lightly and massage it into the skin.
In your hair: Apply warm oil to dry hair and scalp before a shampoo, and cover with a steam cap. Sit under a dryer for 15 minutes, or stay in humid conditions, cap on, for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual afterwards.
