Olive oil and beauty
The olive tree has been known for millennia for its exceptional longevity. It is also the first tree to be mentioned in the history of the world. When Noah sent the dove as a scout, it returned with an olive branch in its beak, thus demonstrating that the waters had subsided.
Olive oil is a vegetable oil composed mainly of monounsaturated fatty acids. It contains chlorophyll and is also rich in vitamin E and provitamin A since it contains carotene. Without forgetting these powerful antioxidant agents that are polyphenols!
Polyphenols are organic substances found in plants. They have very important "anti-oxidant" properties that effectively fight free radicals.
Olive oil is classified according to well-established rules (International Olive Oil Council) which range from virgin olive oil to simple olive oil, including extra virgin, fine virgin, refined or again that made from olive pomace.
It is in fact a question on the one hand, of cold pressing or not, of higher or lower degree of acidity or even of refining.
But for the consumer, all of this may seem more or less complicated when one is simply looking to obtain a good oil produced as naturally as possible. First of all, the most important thing is to check if the mention extra virgin (or extra virgin) appears on the label as well as "First cold pressing". Then to further refine the quality it is advisable to find out about other criteria such as the origin or the producer. And as much as possible remember to consume oils from organic farming.
For millennia, olive oil has been used by women in their beauty rituals. But if we know that it has cosmetic virtues, we do not necessarily know why.
Through its recently finalized list of beneficial properties attributed to foods, the European Union has just officially established that olive oil is good for your health. Good news but absolutely no scoop because we have known for a long time the nutritional benefits of a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil. But this oil is not only good for our health, it is also a very good asset for our beauty.
OLIVE OIL, A COSMETIC GOLD MINE
For millennia, Mediterranean people have used olive oil in their beauty ritual. Roman women used it to nourish their hair and preserve the youthfulness of their skin. But we now know more about the reason for the cosmetic power of olive oil.
To have beautiful skin, it must be nourished with as much care as our body. It is therefore the nutritional assets of olive oil that make this oil also a gold mine for our beauty.
The main active ingredient in olive oil is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid with strong nourishing power. It allows the oil to fight against dryness and dehydration of the skin, while making it supple and elastic. This fatty acid is also found in many cosmetic products.
Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help fight against free radicals, the main cause of premature aging.
And it is not the only antioxidant present in olive oil since it also contains vitamin E. It therefore has a powerful anti-aging action. Finally, there is oleuropein, an antibacterial component. It also has protective properties.
Olive oil is all the more precious as the lipids it contains being the same as those of our skin, it is totally compatible with our epidermis and therefore much more effective.
OLIVE OIL, A MULTI-ACTION TREATMENT
Olive oil will first of all nourish, hydrate, repair and soften the skin of the face and body. Its anti-aging action makes it a real asset for preserving the youthfulness of the epidermis and preventing wrinkles.
But it can also be used against imperfections. Yes, olive oil is also beneficial for oily skin. It can also be used in the evening while removing make-up. You can even apply it to the nails to soften the cuticles. Finally, used as a bath or mask, it nourishes, repairs and softens the hair while making it silkier. It is also ideal for dry hair.
Be careful though, you should not use just any olive oil. It must be virgin and first cold pressed. On the other hand, we avoid refined oils, full of bad fats.
THE MEDICAL BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases:
It reduces the LDL content in the blood, it also reduces blood pressure, it also seems to prevent the formation of blood clots.
But all these benefits can only be manifested by respecting a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle with regular physical exercise. Indeed, it is the inhabitants of southern Europe who have mortality rates from cardiovascular disease six to ten times lower than those of northern Europe or the United States. It is around the Mediterranean that the consumption of olive oil is highest.
Numerous studies have shown that the blood cholesterol level does not depend on the quantity of fatty substances absorbed daily but on their fatty acid composition.
Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids lowers cholesterol levels, while consumption of saturated fatty acids increases it.
Olive oil reduces gastric secretion:
It can therefore relieve people suffering from gastric hyperacidity and gastroesophageal reflux.
Its cholagogue and slightly laxative properties help digestion and minor intestinal transit difficulties.
Consumption of olive oil is essential for people suffering from biliary dyskinesia and nausea and vomiting.
Olive oil allows faster gastric evacuation than with other fats. Experimental studies have shown that its absorption prevents the saturation of bile with cholesterol, which prevents the formation of gallstones. For this, it is of course necessary to eliminate the intake of any other fatty substance.
It is mildly diuretic and also appears to promote mineralization and bone growth. It could therefore be useful in the prevention of osteoporosis by protecting against calcium losses. As in the case of the Mediterranean diet, it seems fundamental not to passively wait for the benefits of oil on mineralization, regular physical activity is essential. It is not a question of doing intense sporting exploits once in a while, but just walking while breathing serenely and this regularly.
It has a very good softening and emollient antioxidant power, so it prevents the skin from drying out. It helps fight against aging of the epidermis thanks to its regenerating action by rehydrating your skin because the latter is full of essential fatty acids, essential to keep skin soft and young for longer.
It has an anti-inflammatory power: a 2005 study published by Berbert studies the interest of combining extra virgin olive oil with fish oils (rich in omega 3) to relieve morning stiffness and pain. in rheumatoid arthritis. The synergy of the two products seems to be very effective on the functional status of patients.
Its anti-inflammatory action is fundamental on the wall of blood vessels, because more and more, it seems proven that it is this inflammatory aspect of the wall which is responsible for vascular accidents rather than the cholesterol level alone. The balance of the oil at the level of the omega 6 omega 3 ratio is strategic in the fight against the inflammatory phenomenon which tends to stiffen and sclerose the arterial walls.
It can be used in cooking: it is balanced in omega 3 and omega 6.
In external use: it is described as being able to relieve earaches by letting it cool down before introducing it into the ear.
In addition, we must not forget the relief it brings in burns and various skin irritations by its emollient and softening power, in particular in dermatoses such as psoriasis, eczema among others.
THE COSMETIC BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL
In industry and cosmetics:
Olive oil has been used for a very long time in the manufacture of Marseille soap and many other cosmetic products.
You can either buy olive oil products or make your own recipes, as long as the smell doesn't bother you too much.
To nourish your hair:
Pour olive oil over the head and massage from root to tip. Then cover them with a damp, warm towel for 5 minutes. Then wash your hair and repeat the operation every fortnight. An ideal treatment for dry hair or for dyed hair.
To groom eyebrows:
Before going to bed, do a quick massage on the eyebrow area with olive oil, you will see that they will be shiny and the skin will be softer.For damaged hands:
Rub a touch of olive oil on your hands and fingernails, then put on woolen gloves and wait 20 minutes. If your nails are damaged, they split, olive oil can be effective. You pour olive oil in a ramekin for example, then you let them soak for a few minutes. If you smoke and your nails are a little yellow, you can add a drop of lemon
BEAUTY RECIPES WITH OLIVE OIL
Row under the kitchen sink, you should know that our olive oil can also be used in our cosmetics.
Olive oil in all its states:
From the plate to the cosmetic products, there is only one step! Olive oil is used in cooking as a fat, for its good taste and its beneficial effects on the body. But that's not all ! For a long time, women have also adopted it in their toilet bag. Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, olive oil has a protective and toning effect on the skin.
From head to toe, olive oil can be used in all sauces: body scrub, face scrub, hair mask.
The face: a precious oil
Olive oil smoothes and nourishes the skin. A tablespoon mixed with an egg yolk works wonders on your face. Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
But that's not all, you can also apply it as an exfoliant. In a bowl, mix 3 teaspoons of fine sea salt with a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply everything on your face and massage from bottom to top before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Precaution of use: if you have dry skin, this mixture should be applied twice a month, once a week for oily skin.
Effortless caramel skin
Tanning tip with special summer olive oil: to accelerate tanning, mix 250ml of olive oil, lemon juice and 10 drops of tincture of iodine. Be careful, this mixture is to be used only on already tanned skin to avoid a crayfish complexion. Please note that this does not exempt you from applying sunscreen.
Dry hair: it's over!
No more straw hair effect! Make yourself a small hair mask with half a cup of olive oil and lemon juice. Then, wrap your hair in a towel for 15 minutes. Tamdam! They are now soft and silky.
The body: oil, I love it!
It is not only on the face that olive oil works miracles. Reduce a few pieces of sugar to powder, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and mix everything evenly. Then apply this mixture to your body, massaging in a circular motion. And hop, a little blow in the shower to eliminate dead skin and voila! Your skin is now as soft as a baby's.
Whiter teeth:
To maintain a diamond enamel smile, regularly rub your gums with a little olive oil and keep the liquid in your mouth for a long time.
To the fingertips:
To soften and hydrate your brittle nails, soak them for 15 minutes in a bowl of warm olive oil. This method also makes it possible to reduce small unsightly skin.
To know: you can also use this technique if you have dry and damaged hands. To gently exfoliate them, mix 2 tablespoons of almond powder with a tablespoon of olive oil and rub your hands (not forgetting the nails) with this mixture. Rinse with lukewarm water and gently dab your hands dry.
The feet: we have the sandals!
And forward for a little foot massage. Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with half a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of lavender essential oil. You will get exfoliated, relaxed and soothed little toes: perfect for strolling around in your new flip-flops!
OLIVE LEAF
Among the ancients, the olive leaf is used as an antiscorbutic and febrifuge, it is known for its sympatholytic action and its diuretic effect. The leaf also has a slight vasodilating effect. But it is above all for its antihypertensive action that the olive leaf is known:
A decoction of fresh leaves lowers blood pressure in hypertensives. It is the fresh leaves which are the most active, the dry leaves must be stabilized beforehand; the stabilization inhibits the enzymes of the plant and thus prevents the degradation of the active ingredients.
The leaf is slightly hypoglycaemic: it therefore helps to regulate diabetes. It also seems to help lower triglycerides.
Olive offers a good synergy with mistletoe in hypertension, as well as with garlic, it is also very useful in combination with artichoke in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The olive tree will be useful to a lesser extent in diabetes with plants such as burdock or blueberry.
By ESTH’ELLE Laboratory
Where to buy a good extra virgin olive oil
Specialty food shops that deal directly with producers or importers are the best place to start when looking for extra virgin olive oil.
Our " PREMIUM SELECTION " includes a range of extra virgin olive oils with character and a harmonious profile, which offer you a unique taste experience and enhance your finest recipes.. Monovarietal, Extra Virgin and Organic. They are all born from a passion for olive growing & a deep love to the land of ancient Carthage.
