The Age of Ancient Greece gave the world many wonderful discoveries that humanity enjoys right up to the present day. One of them can be considered olive oil, which is made from the fruit of the olive tree, which, as the legend says, appeared as a result of the dispute between the goddess Athena and Poseidon.
Oliva is one of the oldest fruit crops that humanity has used since ancient times. Then still people did not know that the fruits of this tree are nothing but a mixture of triglycerides of fatty acids with a lot of oleic acid esters. But this ignorance did not stop the ancient people from understanding how useful this oil is on the farm.
Over time, olive oil was studied, and its useful properties became known in specific figures and substances.
Use of olive oil for skin: composition and properties
As a cosmetic (and in cooking, too) it is better to use olive oil with minimal processing: it belongs to the class "extra virgin", which is indicated on the package. Such oil is created by the method of cold pressing, which allows it to retain its useful properties. It has a greenish-golden hue, but it gives bitterness to taste.
The composition of olive oil in figures
Olive oil, obtained by cold pressing, contains the following monounsaturated fatty acids:
- Oleic acid - more than 65%;
- linoleic acid - more than 10%;
- linolenic acid - more than 0.55%.
Also this substance is enriched with vitamins:
- A and E - essential vitamins for the beauty of hair, skin and nails;
- D is a natural antidepressant.
Speaking about the composition of olive oil, one can not help recalling the useful compounds, which in the "extra virgin" class are about 1%:
- tocopherols;
- sterol;
- squalane;
- polyphenols.
The use of olive oil for facial skin
This oil is widely used by women all over the world as a universal remedy for the skin: it can accelerate healing, smooth fine wrinkles, nourish the skin with moisture, create an even complexion and remove irritation. Depending on the type of skin, and, accordingly, the purpose for which oil is used, it is combined with different ingredients in masks.
Olive oil for oily skin
There is a misconception that oily skin needs less moisture than dry, and therefore the use of oils for this type of skin is undesirable. However, the paradox is that the more moisturize and nourish the fatty skin, the weaker the sebaceous glands will work, as the need for their work will drop drastically. Therefore, regular use of olive oil in the composition of masks (especially on the basis of clay) can improve the condition of oily skin.
Olive oil for problem skin
Olive oil can soothe irritated skin, so regular disinfection of acne should be followed by their subsequent moistening with oil. Since the problem skin is evidence of a violation of the internal organs, to get rid of the rash it is necessary to improve the whole organism, and the olive oil will give only a cosmetic effect.
Olive oil for dry skin
For dry skin, olive oil can be used instead of day and night creams: it is light enough, and 20 minutes are enough to absorb it, therefore, problems with applying makeup will not arise.
Olive oil for the skin of the body
This oil is used for the body of oriental beauties during sunbathing: the tan is obtained smooth and has a pleasant shade.
If you regularly lubricate this product with your whole body after the shower, the skin will be velvety, smooth and moisturized, and also retain its beauty for many years. The downside of this method is that before you get dressed,
Olive oil is suitable for the baby's skin: it does not cause allergies, and most importantly, consists of natural ingredients.
Olive oil can be used for the skin of hands to give them a well-groomed appearance. However, in the cold season, it may not sufficiently moisten this part of the body, and then it is worth resorting to heavier and thicker oils.
Thus, as an olive oil, we see a universal remedy that can replace many cosmetic products.